March 25, 2009
All High Country residents, along with their accompanying guests, are invited to visit Grandfather Mountain for $1 during the month of April with proof of local residency.
The special April Dollar Days $1 admission is offered to residents in the six counties represented by the NC High Country Host regional travel promotion organization: Mitchell, Avery, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany and Wilkes. The discount is also extended to students of colleges and universities in the High Country and to guests traveling in the same vehicle with those eligible for the April discount. Please present a driver’s license, college ID, or local utility bill as proof of High Country residency.
"Grandfather Mountain is blessed with wonderful goodwill from its neighbors and Dollar Days is one small way we like to express our appreciation," said Mountain President Crae Morton. "It really starts to get pretty on the Mountain in April and we take pleasure in having local residents enjoy the park as the leaves and the flowers are returning."
The bears in the Wildlife Habitats are beginning to emerge from hibernation but could possibly be in and out of their dens if patches of cold weather return. You can also find cougars, river otters, a bald eagle, a golden eagle and white-tailed deer in five other natural habitats at Grandfather Mountain. All of these animals can be photographed at close range in their natural surroundings.
Construction continues on Grandfather Mountain's new Top Shop building located next to the Mile High Swinging Bridge. This new structure is scheduled for completion in late summer 2009. The new building will no longer be visible from Highway 105. The new top shop will provide elevator access to the Swinging Bridge area and also house a gift shop and restrooms.
At this time a temporary top shop has been put in its place to provide a small retail area and house the Mountain’s communications equipment.
During this period of construction, Grandfather’s trails cannot be accessed from the Swinging Bridge parking lot. All hikers will need to park at the Black Rock parking area, below the switchbacks to the summit, and hike out from there.
A great way to get in touch with nature during a visit to Grandfather Mountain is to walk along the Black Rock Nature Trail. This trail runs out one mile and back through northern hardwood and spruce forests. It is marked with interpretive signs that give hikers a better idea of the significance of their natural surroundings.
People looking for a greater outdoor challenge can hike across the high peaks on the Grandfather Trail. Surveys show that visitors to the mountain who choose to venture across the ridge tops report that the Grandfather Trail hike was the highlight of their visit!
The $1 admission price also extends to the trails. Permit outlets will be selling hiking permits to High Country residents for $1 in April. Grandfather Mountain Hiking Permits can be purchased at the park’s entrance gate or at Footsloggers locations in both Boone and Blowing Rock. Hikers are encouraged to take care on Grandfather’s rugged ridge trails and to be prepared for severe weather changes before setting out.
The Mountain is open every day in April, weather permitting. The hours of operation April 1 through April 3 are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with ticket sales ending at 5 p.m. Starting April 4, hours extend from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with ticket sales ending at 6 p.m. For current conditions, phone the Grandfather Mountain entrance gate at 828-733-4337.
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