GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, NC – Grandfather Mountain’s guided hike series, now in its second year, has four pre-planned hikes to showcase the wonderful scenery and wildlife of the mountain throughout the coming months.

“The interpretive ranger staff is excited to provide the public with opportunities to explore Grandfather’s backcountry while learning about the ecology and history of the Mountain,” said Gabriel Taylor, Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation chief interpretive ranger.

The “Spring to MacRae” hike, offered May 5 and 6, begins the series. This hike offers guests the opportunity to visit MacRae Peak and witness life returning to Grandfather after a long winter slumber. Hikers traverse 0.9 miles, using cables and seven ladders to gain almost 600 feet in elevation. This half-day hike begins at 9 a.m. and costs $15 in addition to park admission.

Second on this year’s lineup is the “Ridgeline of Diversity” hike offered June 16 and 17. As the name suggests, this hike is designed to showcase the unparalleled diversity of animal and plant life in this unique area, while also providing guests with a full panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. This journey takes hikers 2.4 miles, traversing large boulders, climbing ladders and gaining 700 feet in elevation. This trip is an all day commitment and is not for the inexperienced hiker. It begins at 9 a.m. and costs $35 in addition to half-price park admission.

On July 28 and 29, the “Grandfather’s Attic” hike begins at 9 a.m. This challenging endeavor involves a hike to Attic Window Peak and Indian House Cave over the most rugged terrain on the mountain. During this hike, interpretive rangers will share the story of Grandfather and past historic events that shaped the Mountain into what it is today. This trek gains 600 feet in elevation during the 1.2-mile hike. It is a half-day trip that begins at 9 a.m. and costs guests $25 in addition to park admission.

Last of the feature hikes; the “Nature on the Edge” hike, August 25 and 26, showcases the resiliency of plants and animals in the adverse conditions of the mountain. Throughout the journey, interpretive rangers will discuss the needs for habitat and point out signs of survival. This hike travels to MacRae Peak across 0.9 miles using cables and seven ladders to gain almost 600 feet in elevation. This is a half-day trip that begins at 9 a.m. and will cost guests $15 in addition to park admission.

For those who are interested in a guided hike, but can’t attend the scheduled trips, additional guided treks are available year-round and can be reserved in advance. Guided hikes can travel to MacRae Peak, Attic Window Peak and Calloway Peak and interpretive rangers can tailor the journey to fit topics of interest for the participants. A minimum of four participants is required. For more information or to schedule a guided hike at Grandfather Mountain, please call 828-737-0833.

Since Grandfather Mountain added eagles to their showcase of indigenous North Carolina wildlife in 1981, these majestic birds-of-prey have been housed in an open-topped enclosure.  All the eagles that have called Grandfather Mountain home were injured by gunshot, resulting in a full or partial wing amputation and leaving them completely flightless.

Their enclosure has remained beautiful and well maintained during this period, but several problems arose as a result of the absence of a fully enclosed habitat.  Ravens, bears and other animals can enter the eagles’ home, stealing their food and posing a serious threat to their well-being.

Another drawback stemming from the park’s lack of a fully enclosed eagle habitat, is Grandfather’s inability to adopt other eagles that may be partially or fully flighted.  Even though these eagles may have the ability to fly normally, other injuries, such as eye problems, could render them unable to hunt for food and survive in the wild.

The park’s habitat staff has been tirelessly fund raising for over a year in hopes of renovating the enclosure and their efforts are continuing this May with the first annual “Critter Crawl” at Grandfather Mountain.  This 5K race begins in MacRae Meadows and ends at the top of Grandfather.  It is a charity event where runners pay a $30 admission fee to participate.  All of the money generated will directly benefit these pending renovations.

“We’ve been actively raising money for a year now in the community.  We’re excited because the hope is that this race will finally allow the improvements to begin,” said Christie Tipton, Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation habitat manager.   If the Critter Crawl is a success and all 500 running spots are filled, it will raise funds enough to begin the renovation process on the eagle habitat.

The  $30 cost per runner includes: a “Critter Crawl” t-shirt and a free day-pass for the following weekend.   T-shirts are only guaranteed for participants registering before April 19.  Awards will be presented to the top three male and female competitors.

The “Critter Crawl” race is very similar to the popular “Bear Run” held each year during the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, but is unique in that it loops through the animal habitat pathways, giving runners the opportunity to view the eagle habitats they are helping to renovate.  Online registration for the event begins March 1.

For registration information, please visit www.grandfather.com and for more information about the “Critter Crawl” or the eagle habitat renovation project, call 828-733-8715.

GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, NC – This May, the inaugural “Critter Crawl” kicks off at Grandfather Mountain.  The 5K race begins in MacRae Meadows and ends at the top of Grandfather.  All proceeds will directly benefit upcoming renovations to the Grandfather Mountain eagle habitats.  

The race will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3.  To accommodate runners and race spectators, the park will end ticket sales at 4 p.m. and close at 5 p.m.  

Online registration for the “Critter Crawl” begins March 1 with 500 spaces for runners available. The cost per participant is $30 and includes: a “Critter Crawl” t-shirt and a free day-pass for the following weekend.  T-shirts will not be guaranteed for participants that register after April 19.  Awards will be presented to the top three male and female competitors.

Parking passes, available during registration, are $10 per car.  Spectators will be able to park in designated parking lots on Grandfather and MacRae Meadows on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Shuttles will transport spectators to the top from each parking area.

For registration information, please visit www.grandfather.com and for more information about the “Critter Crawl” or the eagle habitat renovation project, call 828-733-8715.

With a focus on conservation, the 2012 Grandfather Mountain Nature Photography Weekend, June 1-3, features four speakers who not only capture spectacular images of wildlife and scenery but also share a deeper passion for the environment and utilize their photography to create awareness.

A highlight of the event will be Ian Shive, an award-winning conservation photographer, author, film producer and environmental advocate, most recently recognized as the 2011 Sierra Club Ansel Adams Photography Award winner.  Shive’s photographs have appeared in National Geographic, Outside, Men’s Journal, Sierra Magazine, National Parks Magazine and Popular Science, among others.  In August 2009, Shive released a book on  his most familiar subject, The National Parks:  Our American Landscape.

The other speakers for the Weekend are Richard Bernabe, Todd Bush and Donna Eaton.   With thousands of publishing credits and a worldwide reach among the three of them, each of these photographers’ work draws attention to special issues affecting the environment.

The event will also include many opportunities to network with the speakers and participants and to photograph Grandfather Mountain, including special sunrise access.

Online registration is required and begins at midnight April 2.

Online registration for the 2012 Nature Photography Weekend (to be held June 1-3, 2012) begins at 12 midnight on Monday, April 2nd.   It has been changed from April 1st to the first WEEKDAY in April.

“The first day of Nature Photo registration is one of the most exciting days of the year around our office,” explained Communications Director Landis Wofford.  “It takes a lot of attention to detail to set aside and confirm each seat as it is reserved.  We need to stay on top of the numbers so we will know when we reach the limit.  For the past couple of years we have sold out by 5 pm on the first day.”

The automatic weather station at the top of Grandfather Mountain recorded an average high temperature for December of 43.1 degrees and the average low temperature of 29.5 degrees.  These numbers read just a bit lower than the State Climate Office data from Mt. Mitchell State Park.  The average high temperature at Mt. Mitchell was 44.4 degrees and the average low temperature was 30.3 degrees.

A total of 4.95 inches of rain was recorded in December at the weather data reporting station located at the top of Grandfather Mountain. This amount is 0.92 inches (23 percent) above the 56-year average rainfall total for the month of 4.03 inches.

Grandfather Mountain measures precipitation at multiple locations on the Mountain.  An automatic weighing precipitation gauge on the corner of the Top Shop parking lot recorded 5.81 inches of liquid precipitation (rain and the melted equivalent of snow) this month.  A manual gauge at the Entrance Gate recorded 5.31 inches and a manual gauge at the Fudge Shop recorded 5.53 inches.

The snowfall total for the month measured at the Top Shop was 0.2 inches, falling 98 percent short of the 56-year average snowfall total for December of 8.63 inches. Using this measurement, Grandfather Mountain has had 3.10 inches of snow for the winter-to-date compared to the norm of 10.53 inches for this point in the season.

Entrance Gate employees recorded 1.5 inches of snow for the month and the naturalist staff recorded 2.1 inches at the equipment near the Fudge Shop.

Wind gusts over 60 mph were recorded seven times.  The highest three-second gust during the month was 100.5 mph recorded December 28.

2011 in review

In 2011, the month with the most rain was September with 9.26 inches and the month with the least rain was August with 2.17 inches.  The most rain to fall in one day during 2011 was 3.32 inches on September 6.  The rainiest day ever at Grandfather Mountain was September 8, 2004 when 11.3 inches of rain fell.

The yearly temperature averages are complete minus 17 days of data lost in January due to an equipment failure.  The average mean temperature for the year was 47.5 degrees.  The average high temperature for the year was 54.8 degrees and the average low temperature was 41.1 degrees.

The warmest temperature in 2011 was 77.8 degrees recorded June 1.  The coldest temperature was minus 4.4 degrees on January 9.

In 2011 wind speeds exceeded 60 mph 76 times.  The highest three-second gust recorded was 115 mph January 26.  This reading broke the record for the highest gust recorded on Grandfather’s Swinging Bridge equipment.  The previous record was 106.95 mph set on February 11, 2008.

Total recorded snowfall for 2011 was 35.59 inches compared to a 56-year average of 52.44 inches, down 32 percent.

For more information on Grandfather Mountain’s weather data or to access current conditions please visit www.grandfather.com.

Join volunteers from High Country Audubon on Sunday, December 18 for the Grandfather Mountain Christmas Bird Count .

Tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas plan to take part in the 112th Christmas Bird Count during the weeks between December 14 and January 5.  The data collected in the census is used to assess the health of bird populations and to help groups like Audubon guide conservation action.

A typical bird count day starts around 7 a.m., includes a meet up time in the early afternoon to compile morning lists and then bird watching continues until dark.  Volunteers are not required to work throughout the entire day.

Birders of all skill sets are welcome to participate.  Counters will be divided into groups and each group will have at least one experienced birdwatcher.  In the past families, students, birders and scientists have all gotten involved.

Those interested in participating should send an e-mail to Education Director Jesse Pope at naturalist@grandfather.com by December 15.  Please bring your binoculars and a bird guide on the day of the count.

Hikers taking the trek across Grandfather Mountain’s ridgeline can now enjoy five new ladders on the Grandfather Trail.  The new ladders on MacRae Cliff replace the old ones that had been up for decades on what many people consider to be one of the most exciting spots along the ridgeline hike.

The five ladders are all in a row and transport hikers along a steep rock cliff while providing unbeatable views of the surrounding landscape.  The section of trail, part of Grandfather Mountain State Park property, is under a trail easement that assigns responsibility for upkeep to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

Members of the Stewardship Foundation Interpretive Staff worked for months in the planning process.  Wood, cables and bolts had to be purchased, ladder posts and rungs had to be cut to size and corners and edges had to be smoothed before each piece of equipment was carried out to the Mountain’s backcountry.

Chief Interpretive Ranger Gabriel Taylor estimates that close to 200 hours of work were put in during the three days in early November when the ladders were actually installed on the trail.  Those helping out included Stewardship Foundation employees, State Park rangers and volunteers from Appalachian State University and the Boone Climbers Coalition.

“The old ladders weren’t dangerous but it was time for them to be replaced,” said Taylor.  ”Hikers will notice subtle differences on the new ladders, one being that they are sturdier.”

Carriage bolts were used in place of nails on the new ladders.  The carriage bolts run through the rungs and posts and are much thicker and stronger than the nails that had a tendency to rust or bend. In addition, the cables that provide extra support for the ladder’s placement are now anchored in the rock more than an inch deeper than in the past.

The ladders along the Grandfather Trail allow many visitors the opportunity to traverse a rugged mountain top while offering up a great sense of accomplishment.  MacRae Cliff is located .7 miles up the trail when starting from the Grandfather Mountain nature park.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities.

For more information on Grandfather’s hiking trails and guided hike opportunities please call or 828-737-0833 or send an e-mail to hiking@grandfather.com

All those that work and reside in the six counties served by High Country Host, along with guests traveling in the same vehicle, are invited to visit Grandfather Mountain for a discounted rate during the month of December with proof of local employment or residency.

The special December Dollar Days 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 driver’s 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.

A slight change has been made to the Dollar Days rates to encourage guests to plan their visits for times when lines are shorter or nonexistent.  Admission for eligible Dollar Days guests will still be $1 per person on weekdays and on weekends before 10 am.  On weekends after 10 a.m., Dollar Days admission will be $2 per person.

“We are pleased that people respond so positively to our Dollar Days promotion,” said Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation President Penn Dameron. “One of the side effects of this popularity, however, has been that we have seen long lines develop at our entrance gate during peak hours.  We hope that this slight change to the promotion will reduce traffic congestion in the middle of the day, and will result in a more enjoyable experience for everyone.”

Due to an immediate need at local food banks, Grandfather Mountain is once again adding an extra way for those who work and reside in the High Country to take advantage of December Dollar Days.

This December instead of paying $1 (on weekdays or weekends before 10 a.m.) or $2 (on weekends after 10 a.m.) in cash for admission to Grandfather Mountain, 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.

“We encourage everyone who wants to take advantage of our Dollar Days offer to donate 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 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 four other animal exhibits where guests can see and photograph cougars, river otters, 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 homemade vegetable soup and chili, as well as salads and sandwiches.   Just down the path, Grandfather’s Fudge Shop has 20 savory flavors to choose from including peppermint stick, pumpkin pie and caramel peanut bar.

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.

The Mountain is open every day in December, weather permitting, with three exceptions.  The park will have reduced hours December 8 and 24 with ticket sales ending at 2 p.m. and the park closing at 3 p.m. The park will be closed all day December 25.   The hours of operation for the month 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.

Grandfather Mountain Rangers will be replacing one last ladder on the Grandfather Trail leading to MacRae Peak on Wednesday, November 9.  No one will be able to pass through that section while the repairs are underway. Consider using the Underwood Trail as an alternate route.