December at Grandfather Mountain Means Dollar Days For High Country Residents
Participate in our December Dollar
Days Food Drive! This December instead of paying $1 in
cash for admission to Grandfather Mountain with proof of local
employment or residency, you can choose to donate 1-2 cans of
food per person to our December Food Drive. All donations will
be distributed to High Country Food Pantries. |
All
those who work and reside in the six High Country counties, along with
guests traveling in the same vehicle, are invited to visit Grandfather
Mountain for $1 (or the donation of 1-2 cans of food each) during the
month of December with proof of local employment or residency.
The special December Dollar Days $1 admission is offered to residents and those working 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 December discount. Please present a drivers’ license, college ID, or local utility bill as proof of High Country residency. An employee identification badge or pay stub can be used to show employment at a High Country business.
“We are pleased to continue the Dollar Days tradition," said the Grandfather Mountain President Crae Morton. “Grandfather Mountain would not be what it is without the support of the local community, and we thank everyone for their generosity and good will.”
Due to a shortage of donations and an immediate need at food banks, Grandfather Mountain is adding an extra way for those who work and reside in the High Country to take advantage of Dollar Days.
This December instead of paying $1 in cash for admission to Grandfather Mountain with proof of local employment or residency, you can choose to donate 1-2 cans of food per person for Grandfather’s December Food Drive. All donations will be distributed to High Country food pantries.
“The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, a nonprofit corporation, took over operation of the mountain effective November 1,” said Executive Director Penn Dameron. “We are especially aware of how economic conditions have affected the ability of nonprofits to deliver the kinds of services that our communities need.”
Dameron added that many corporations and individuals are not able to make the kinds of charitable donations that they have made in the past and that as a result food banks all over the country are running low.
“We encourage everyone who wants to take advantage of our Dollar Days offer to donate 1 or 2 cans of food as the price of admission. This will double the benefit to the community,” said Dameron.
Many regular visitors believe that winter is the most beautiful season at Grandfather, and what better time to see the beauty than the time of year when traffic has slowed down. Visitors can expect to see 360 degree views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge that seem to go on forever.
Although
the bears will be hibernating in December, the Mountain has five other
animal exhibits where guests can see and photograph cougars, river otters,
a bald eagle, a golden eagle and white-tailed deer from close range
in their natural surroundings.
The Nature Museum is a cozy place to duck into for a break from the chill. Mildred’s Grill offers chili and homemade vegetable soup, as well as salads and sandwiches.
Another great opportunity while visiting the park during the winter is to visit the Mountain’s gift shops. Many holiday presents for all age ranges can be found among the dozens of memorable items and collectibles stocked in the gift shops especially for the winter months.
A good way to get some fresh air during a visit to Grandfather is to walk on the Bridge Trail. The four-tenths-mile path makes a gradual climb from the Hikers' parking area to the temporary Top Shop, traversing through rhododendron thickets and past massive rock formations before crossing under the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Also departing the Hikers’ Parking Area is the Black Rock Nature Trail that runs out a mile and back through northern hardwood and spruce forests.
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 out across the ridge tops on the Grandfather Trail
report that the hike was the highlight of their visit! Hikers are encouraged
to take care on Grandfather’s rugged ridge trails in December
and to be prepared for patches of ice, wind chill and severe weather
changes before setting out.
The Mountain is open every day in December except Christmas Day, weather permitting. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with ticket sales ending at 4 p.m. For current weather conditions, phone the Entrance gate at 828-733-4337.
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