Grandfather Mountain has always been a big part of the lives of Gail and Snyder Garrison and their family. One of the couple’s first dates was hiking the Profile Trail through rain and hail to go camping on a weekend away from college at UNC-Chapel Hill. Snyder’s sister, Rosa, was childhood friends with Catherine Morton, the daughter of Hugh Morton, the owner of Grandfather at the time. Gail and Snyder took their two sons, Thomas and Luke, on many picnics and adventures on the mountain and crossed the Mile High Swinging Bridge more times than they can count. Luke had a passion for learning, especially about science and nature, and loved the outdoors, sports and his church. When he passed away in 2015, Thomas, with guidance from his parents, started the Luke Garrison Foundation to honor his brother’s memory and support organizations that share Luke’s passions. The foundation’s board of directors is made up of Luke’s friends spanning his life, from childhood through college. Snyder and Gail thought it was a great opportunity for these young board members to give back and be involved in their communities, and to have important discussions about how to allocate funds when the need is greater than the resources available. Once each year, the board of 20 people meets in Linville at Gail and Snyder’s home to review grant applications and make decisions about how the foundation’s funds will be distributed. “The vision is working!” said Snyder. “These ‘kids’ are now having children of their own, and they have wonderful conversations and are passionate about these projects and organizations that they are choosing...
2025 Dollar DaysGrandfather Mountain extends a special “Dollar Days” rate of $5 per person (plus tax and fees) during the month of April to those who live or work in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Mitchell, Watauga or Wilkes counties, along with their guests traveling in the same vehicle. Students attending a local college or university are also eligible for the discount. Dollar Days guests MUST book their tickets online and choose the Dollar Days admission rate when reserving their visit. NO Dollar Days tickets will be available for purchase at the Grandfather Mountain entrance gate. Once tickets are purchased online, proof of local residency or employment MUST be presented by one Dollar Days ticketholder per vehicle. If a ticketholder does not display proof of local residency or employment, they and their party will be charged the full rate of admission. Click here to purchase your April Dollar Days tickets. Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will open its gates to High Country residents, employees, college students and their guests for only $5 each during the month of April, as the park’s “Dollar Days” promotion returns in time for spring. “This year’s Dollar Days is especially meaningful and important to us following Hurricane Helene,” said Jesse Pope, president and executive director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “We hope that local residents can find some time to take advantage of the discount and rejuvenate in nature after the difficult fall and winter seasons.” The promotion allows anyone who lives or works in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke (added this year), Caldwell (added in...
Ahead of winter’s arrival on the mountain, Grandfather’s animal caretakers are busy planning and preparing for the season. For the park’s black bears, it marks the time of year when they enter into a quasi-hibernation. While black bears, like most other bears, are not true hibernators, they do consume significantly more calories with the approach of cold weather, slowly stop eating and then find a den in a protected location for their winter slumber. Since those who reside at Grandfather Mountain are fed by their keepers, habitat staff simulates winter feeding patterns to enable the bears’ innate instinct to go into a state of “torpor,” or light sleep. Christie Tipton, animal habitats curator for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Linville, N.C., nature park, explained that the process begins all the way back in late summer and early fall, when the bears’ diets are increased so they can accumulate fat supply in preparation for the months ahead. “At the end of summer and beginning of fall, we start increasing their fat supply for the winter,” she said. “We watch their weight very carefully. Then, as we get closer to winter, we begin to decrease their food in order to mimic what happens in the wild. For example, they’ll get a massive amount of acorns and all this stuff for them to eat, and they gorge on it. Then, as winter comes, the food supply dwindles.” They’ll then enter their dens to sleep the winter days away. However, during bouts of warmer weather, it’s not unusual to see them sleepily wandering around their...
Summer is always an exciting time, and we were delighted to welcome Darrell D. Stover, who became the new Head of the N.C. Science Museums Grant Program in August of 2021, for a recent visit. Funding from the program has been vital in helping the Stewardship Foundation expand the staffing and expertise of the Education and Natural Resources Department. “My visit was a great opportunity to be able to go behind the scenes with the new exhibits, engage with staff and the Board of Directors and see the wonderful animals. Most importantly, I was able to experience the buzz of activity that included all the new things being put into place while at the same time to see so many visitors and school groups. All of that activity says a whole lot about what Grandfather Mountain offers as a space and place to be outdoors and as a space and place to learn about the natural sciences. There is plenty to see and do and the wonderful staff and folks there make it a fantastic experience.” – Darrell D. Stover In addition to funding that is allocated through the N.C. State Legislature, the N.C. Science Museum Grant Program provides free, statewide professional development opportunities. A recent three-year initiative focused on program evaluation. It was designed to support museums to develop a higher level of analysis and follow through and to create a community of practice about program evaluation that uses the same methods and shares what is learned as a way of advancing the collective impact. “It was a great opportunity to learn more about best practices in program...
Many friends of the mountain invested generously to create the new Conservation Campus and Wilson Center for Nature Discovery (opened July 2022). We are grateful! They are a force for nature and together we will share the wonders of the mountain and fulfill Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation’s misson of conservation and education more broadly and deeply than ever before. A special thanks to the following donors: Conservation Campus Naming Donors Wilson Center for Nature Discovery Given by Bob and Susan Wilson Hodges Theater Given by Luther H. Hodges Jr. in Honor of Hugh Morton and Gov. Luther Hodges Paul and Susie O’Connell Exhibit Hall Given by Thoresen Foundation Leonard Classroom in Honor of Michael and Michelle Merritt Leonard, Lum Leonard and Daughters Sarah and Iris Leonard Morton Classroom in Honor of James M. Morton Given by The Frances Hobbs Rose Family Williams Outdoor Learning Space Given by Terry & Joe Williams Habitat and Education Office Given by Ginny Burton Cobey Botanical Garden Given by Munroe and Becky Cobey Exhibit Naming Donors Interactive 3D Map Given by Bruce Barclay Cameron Foundation Flora Wall Exhibit Given by The Dickson Foundation Fauna Wall Exhibit Given by Gail and Dan Settle Mineral Cave Given by Bruce Barclay Cameron Foundation Migration Mapping and the World of Birds Given by Kelly & Meredith Graves Weather and Climate Exhibit Given by John & Connie McLendon Tree Stories and Timeline Given by The McLendon Family Shadow Play Given by David and Joanie Andrews Panoramic Viewing Tower Given by John and Faye Cooper Panoramic Viewing Tower Given by Dan and Debbie Boone Panoramic Viewing Tower Given by The Patrick Danehy Family Additional...
Follow the construction progress of the new Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, featuring all new state-of-the-art museum exhibits (designed by PGAV Destinations of St. Louis, Missouri), as well as outdoor learning spaces, an amphitheater, botanical garden and more. This photo retrospective showcases the campus’s progress, from ceremonial groundbreaking to construction. March 24, 2022Photo by Seth Yarber | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation March 24, 2022Photo by Seth Yarber | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation March 2, 2022Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation March 2, 2022Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation March 2, 2022Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation March 2, 2022Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Feb. 14, 2022Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Feb. 14, 2022Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Feb. 14, 2022Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Feb. 14, 2022Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Jan. 25, 2022Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Jan. 25, 2022Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Dec. 13, 2021Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Dec. 13, 2021Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Nov. 19, 2021Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Nov. 19, 2021Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Oct. 20, 2021Photo by Luke Barber | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Oct. 20, 2021Photo by Luke Barber | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Sept. 30, 2021Photo by Monty Combs | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Sept. 30, 2021Photo by Monty Combs | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation...
The coming of spring marks changes in the behavior of animals on Grandfather Mountain. For bears, they begin to move around and emerge from a long winter’s rest. In winter, of course, they need to stay warm. But as temperatures rise, a challenge for them is to stay cool. Bears don’t have sweat glands, and with an abundance of insulating fur, getting into cool water is one of the main ways they beat the heat. Fortunately for the resident bears at Grandfather Mountain, a brand-new pond awaits them as warmer weather arrives. Thanks to a generous grant from the High Country Charitable Foundation, the nonprofit nature park was able to renovate its bear pond this past fall for use among Grandfather’s resident black bears in one of its off-display habitats. Given their heavy black coats, even in the High Country where summer temperatures are more moderate, being able to cool off on hot days is vital to the health of the mountain’s resident bears. “The pond is an important stimulus both mentally and physically for the bears,” animal habitats curator Christie Tipton said. “The bears can now easily walk in the water when they’re hot, and it’s a great enrichment because we can throw toys in the water for them to enjoy and even treats for them to ‘bob for apples’ with, so to speak.” Originally constructed in the 1970s, years of extreme weather on the mountain had taken their toll on the pond, and it would no longer hold water. Last fall, workers with Alex Johnson Construction tore out the old pond and poured fresh concrete. The pond...
Grandfather Mountain and its surrounding foothills have been the backdrop for childhood experiences and family memories for Tom and Katherine Bunn. But in recent years, the couple has decided to place an increased focus on the mountain by supporting the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “We were reconnected to the park through the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation … and we became increasingly aware of the difference between the foundation and the state park,” Tom Bunn said. “The more we learned about it, the more we felt like we needed to support it.” As native North Carolinians, the couple frequented the North Carolina mountains throughout their childhoods. Tom’s parents possessed an innate love for the outdoors and often chose to spend their summer vacations in the cool mountain air when other families would head east for the beach. Katherine recalled fond childhood memories of spending her summers in Montreat, N.C. Later in life, the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show would bring her family back to the area year after year. She had family connections to Linville, which increased her awareness of Grandfather Mountain and the nature park. For Tom, his first experiences at Grandfather Mountain began during one of those summer trips he took with his family. As the youngest of three boys, he vividly recalled one trip in particular when he and his family ventured across the original Mile High Swinging Bridge back when a strong gust of wind would cause it to sway back and forth much more freely than it does today. Over the years, the mountain has expanded its work in the areas of conservation, education and...
February 2022 saw average winter weather on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official National Weather Service reporting stations. The coldest day recorded last month, Feb. 5, saw a temperature of 8° Fahrenheit, with a wind chill of -20.2. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of February (not counting wind chill) was -19° on Feb. 25, 1967. The warmest temperature recorded last month was 57° on Feb. 24, seven degrees shy of the mountain’s record February high of 64°, observed Feb. 22, 1977, and Feb. 15 and 16, 1989. The average high temperature for February 2022 was 41.3°, with an average low of 25.7°, for a mean of 33.5 °. On Feb. 19, the weather station near the Mile High Swinging Bridge recorded a wind gust of 83.4 mph, along with a sustained wind speed of 73.3 mph. The station noted six days in February with wind gusts higher than 60 mph. The highest gust ever recorded on Grandfather Mountain was 124 mph, observed Feb. 25, 2019. The station reported 6.07 inches of precipitation in February 2022, while observations recorded near the park’s Nature Museum saw 5.65 inches. Precipitation is also measured at the latter location, as high winds can make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top. The mountain’s rainiest February was recorded in 1998, when 13.2 inches were observed near the bridge. The driest February on record was observed in 1968, when .81 of an inch was recorded. The park counted 16 total days of precipitation for February 2022, seven days short of the record 23 days...
Despite its extraordinary views, Grandfather Mountain experienced a somewhat ordinary year of weather in 2021. According to data collected at the National Weather Service reporting station near the Mile High Swinging Bridge, the nonprofit nature park saw average weather in 2021, with no records set or broken. The station observed 60.7 inches of rain over 211 days, shy of the mountain’s standing records of a cumulative 110.7 inches in 2018 and 242 days of precipitation in 2020. The rainiest month in 2021 was August, when 9.7 inches were recorded over 20 days. The driest month of 2021 was December, with only 1.3 inches observed over 14 days of precipitation (including trace amounts). Grandfather Mountain reported 21.9 inches of snow in 2021, as observed at the park’s Nature Museum. Snow accumulation is measured at this lower location, as high winds can make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top. The mountain’s snowiest year on record remains 1996, when the park observed 116.7 inches of accumulation. Wind Grandfather Mountain recorded no sustained wind speeds or gusts higher than 100 mph in 2021, although it came close in January and February, when gusts of 92.9 and 92.6 were recorded at the bridge, respectively. The record wind speed at that location remains a gust of 124 mph, recorded February 2019. Temperatures A place known for its temperature swings, Grandfather Mountain experienced temperatures ranging from 6° to 77° Fahrenheit in 2021. The mountain’s warmest days in 2021 were recorded on July 29-30 and Aug. 1, when the temperature hit 77°. The park’s coldest day was Jan. 29, when the temperature dipped...
January 2022 brought considerably more than a flurry of winter weather to Grandfather Mountain. According to data recorded at the park’s official National Weather Service reporting stations, the nonprofit nature park recorded at least nine days of snowfall, amounting to approximately 27.3 total inches. This does not include three days of missing data, due to inaccessibility from inclement weather. The warmest temperature recorded last month was 61° Fahrenheit on Jan. 2, the third warmest January day in Grandfather’s recorded history and five degrees shy of the mountain’s record January high of 65°, recorded on Jan. 30, 2002. The lowest temperature observed last month was 1° on Jan. 29. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of January was -32° on Jan. 21, 1985. The average high temperature for January 2022 was 35.1°, with an average low of 17.9°, for a mean of 26.5°. The mountain’s warmest January on record was in 1974, with an average high of 47.8°, an average low of 34.2° and a mean of 41°. On Jan. 17, the weather station near the Mile High Swinging Bridge recorded a wind gust of 85.7 mph, while the month’s highest recorded sustained wind speed clocked in at 73.7 mph that same day. The weather station near the Mile High Swinging Bridge reported 4.3 inches of precipitation in January, not counting snow and not including five days of missing data, due to inaccessibility from inclement weather. Precipitation, including snow, is also measured near the Nature Museum as high winds can make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top. Observations at this lower-elevation location...
Although January 2022 is off to a frigid start, December 2021 was one of Grandfather Mountain’s warmest on record. According to data recorded at the official National Weather Service reporting station at Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge, December 2021 was the second warmest December in the park’s history. The warmest temperature recorded last month was 60° Fahrenheit on Dec. 4, 18 and 28, three degrees shy of the mountain’s record December high of 63°, recorded on Dec. 7, 1956. The lowest temperature observed last month was 17° on Dec. 12. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of December was -21° on Dec. 25, 1983. The average high temperature for December 2021 was 50.7°, with an average low of 35.2°, for a mean of 43°. The mountain’s warmest December on record was in 2015, with an average high of 50.6°, an average low of 36.5° and a mean of 43.6°. On Dec. 2, the weather station recorded a wind gust of 89.7 mph, while the month’s highest recorded sustained wind speed clocked in at 73.6 mph that same day. The station reported 1.3 inches of precipitation in December, while observations recorded near the park’s Nature Museum saw 1.04 inches. Precipitation is also measured at the latter, lower location, as high winds can make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top. The mountain’s rainiest December was in 2009, when 10.37 inches were observed near the bridge. The driest December on record was in 1965, when .55 of an inch was measured at the top. The park counted 14 total days of precipitation for...
Data recorded at the official National Weather Service reporting station at Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge indicated average November weather at the Linville, N.C., nature park. The warmest day recorded last month was 67° Fahrenheit on Nov. 10 — two degrees shy of the mountain’s record November high of 69°, recorded on Nov. 1 and 2, 2004. The lowest temperature observed last month was 12° on Nov. 23. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of November was -12° on Nov. 15, 1959. The average high temperature for November 2021 was 46.6°, with an average low of 28.8°, for a mean of 37.7°. On Nov. 15, the station recorded a wind gust of 85.1 mph, while the month’s highest recorded sustained wind speed clocked in at 71.1 mph that same day. The station reported 1.74 inches of precipitation in November, while observations recorded near the park’s Nature Museum saw 1.58 inches. Precipitation is also measured at the latter location, as high winds can make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top. The mountain’s rainiest November was recorded in 1977, when 13.02 inches were observed near the bridge. The driest November on record was in 2007, when 1.06 inches were measured at the top. The park counted 13 total days of precipitation for November 2021, eight days short of the record 21 days in 1977 and 1986. The rainiest day last month was Nov. 12, when 1.37 inches were recorded at the top. The rainiest day on record for November was Nov. 6, 1977, when the weather station observed 5.7 inches. Weather Reporting...
Autumn at Grandfather Mountain draws visitors from across the country to witness the vibrant changing of the leaves, as hues of yellow, orange and red cascade down the mountain. Many of these visitors take vacation to behold the seasonal spectacle, but for members of the Grandfather Mountain maintenance staff, fall means an uptick in work. Andrew Grindstaff leads the maintenance department for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Linville, N.C., nature preserve. He and his staff work hard to keep the park in pristine condition year round, but each autumn presents its own share of unique challenges. “Our biggest challenges are our busiest times when a lot of people want to see the leaves,” Grindstaff said. “So, we’re balancing our time between parking cars and trying to get the leaves up. Another challenge is the wind. You have to base your days on which way the wind is blowing.” The maintenance department began its yearly leaf cleanup on Oct. 7 and expects the effort to last until mid-November, typically when the last leaves fall from the trees. Aiding the department in its effort this year is the Billy Goat Debris Loader, which is essentially a giant vacuum that sits on the back of a truck the maintenance staff has nicknamed “Tom Brady,” referencing the famous NFL quarterback often referred to as “the GOAT.” Grandfather Mountain maintenance staff member Tom Vance collects fallen leaves throughout the park, using a special high-powered vacuum. Photo by Luke Barber | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation The process begins with maintenance crews going throughout the park and using...
Data recorded at the official National Weather Service reporting station at Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge indicated a rainy October at the Linville, N.C., nature park. The warmest day recorded last month was 71° Fahrenheit on Oct. 16 — four degrees shy of the mountain’s record October high of 75°, recorded on Oct. 3, 1986. The lowest temperature observed last month was 28° on Oct. 27. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of October was 12° on Oct. 26, 1962. The average high temperature for October 2021 was 60.4°, with an average low of 45.2°, for a mean of 52.8°. On Oct. 25 and 26, the station recorded wind gusts of 76.7 mph, while October’s highest recorded sustained wind speed clocked in at 61.3 mph on Oct. 25. Due to technical issues, wind data was unavailable for Oct. 31. The station reported 9.56 inches of precipitation in October, while observations recorded near the park’s nature museum saw 11.89 inches. Precipitation is also measured at the latter location, as high winds can make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top. The mountain’s rainiest October was recorded in 1970, when 15.86 inches were observed near the bridge. The driest October on record was in 1963, when a meager .31 of an inch was measured at the top. The park counted 19 total days of precipitation for October 2021, six days short of the record high of 25 days in 2019. The rainiest day last month was Oct. 7, when 3.98 inches were recorded at the top. The rainiest day on record for October...
Data recorded at the official National Weather Service reporting station at Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge indicated average September weather at the Linville, N.C., nature park. The warmest day recorded last month was 74° Fahrenheit on Sept. 15 — five degrees shy of the mountain’s record September high of 79°, recorded on Sept. 24, 2010. The lowest temperature observed in last month was 38° on Sept. 23 and 24. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of September was 24° on Sept. 30, 1967. The average high temperature for September 2021 was 65°, with an average low of 51.4°, for a mean of 58.2°. On Sept. 1, the station recorded a wind gust of 59 mph, while the highest sustained wind speed clocked in at 50.9 mph, also on Sept. 1. The station reported 4.8 inches of precipitation in September, while observations recorded near the park’s nature museum saw 6.15 inches. Precipitation is also measured at the latter location, as high winds can make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top. The mountain’s rainiest September was recorded in 2004, when 32.3 inches were observed near the bridge. The driest September on record was in 1984, when a meager .86 of an inch was measured at the top. The park counted 15 total days of precipitation for September 2021, compared to the record high of 22 days in 1979. The rainiest day last month was Sept. 1, when 1.87 inches were recorded at the top and 2.56 inches at the nature museum. The rainiest day on record for September was Sept. 8, 2004,...
Barry Cook’s father was born on Joe White’s Mountain. And so were several of his aunts and uncles. You can see it from Grandfather Mountain. It’s one of the reasons he feels so connected to the area. Nearly 30 years ago he and his wife, Dottie, bought a home with views of Grandfather Mountain. It’s been a place where they’ve shared the joy of this beautiful region—and many visits to Grandfather—with their children and grandchildren. One of the most beloved books at bedtime is about Mildred the Bear. Barry says that Dottie has read it to the children and grandchildren so often that it’s about worn out and that they could all probably recite it. “It is so pristine, and our children and grandchildren always enjoy going to Grandfather,” says Barry. “I think the legacy that Hugh Morton left for all of us is that you kind of become an environmentalist. It is just part of the DNA up here. We all want to protect what we have now, it’s not ours but it is ours. Because we get to look up there every day.” Deep mountain roots, love of family and a desire to preserve and share the wonders of the mountain are things that motivated Barry and Dottie to join the Boulder Club. “I just thought it’d be really neat with my roots in the area, for my children to have a place that they can come back to and be in touch with the ancestors that they would never meet.” Since choosing a boulder for the family, Barry and Dottie have taken the children there many...
Data recorded at the official National Weather Service reporting station at Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge indicated a rainy August at the Linville, N.C., nature park. The warmest day recorded in August 2021 was 81° Fahrenheit on Aug. 29 — only two degrees shy of the mountain’s record high of 83°, recorded on multiple dates, including Aug. 22, 1983. The lowest temperature observed in August 2021 was 49° on Aug. 4. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of August was 36° on Aug. 29, 1986. The average high temperature for August 2021 was 73.4°, with an average low of 58.4°, for a mean of 65.9°. On Aug. 17, the station recorded a wind gust of 66.7 mph, while the highest sustained wind speed clocked in at 52.8 mph, also on Aug. 17. The station reported 9.7 inches of precipitation in August, while observations recorded near the park’s nature museum saw 13.33 inches. Precipitation is also measured at the latter location, as high winds can make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top. The mountain’s rainiest August was recorded in 2008, when 12.47 inches were observed at the Top Shop. The driest August on record was in 1956, when a meager .81 of an inch was measured at the top. The park counted 20 total days of precipitation for August 2021, compared to the park’s record high of 27 days in 1996. The rainiest day on record was Aug. 27, 2008, when the station observed 8.5 inches. Weather Reporting The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation records and reports data in two different ways:...
At its tallest point, Grandfather Mountain stands 5,946 feet above sea level. But the nonprofit nature park’s latest conservation efforts soar to even loftier heights. In conjunction with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, park naturalists have confirmed the successful nesting of two peregrine falcons — the first on Grandfather Mountain since 2008. Why are a couple of small fledglings such a big deal? “Peregrine falcons are formerly a federally endangered species,” said Clifton Avery, mountain wildlife diversity technician with NCWRC. “They were delisted in 1999, but they’re still a state-level endangered species in North Carolina.” That means North Carolina has only about 15 to 20 breeding pairs of peregrine falcons in state every year. “So, that’s not a lot — at all,” Avery said. It also means that successful nesting is that much more crucial. A “successful nest,” Avery explained, is when nestlings reach 35 to 40 days of age and become fledglings, meaning they’ve developed wings large enough for flight. Seeing this occur at Grandfather Mountain was especially exciting, considering such a nesting hasn’t been documented in the park since 2008, said John Caveny, director of education and natural resources for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Linville, N.C., nature park. “I’ve been observing with Clifton for the last four years, and we’ve seen peregrines every time, but never a successful nest before,” Caveny said. “The peregrines at Grandfather have historically not done very well in terms of nest success,” Avery said. “Since 2008, we very regularly have two birds that seem to be a mated pair and are working toward...
Data recorded at the official National Weather Service reporting station at Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge indicated average July weather at the Linville, N.C., nature park. The warmest day recorded in July 2021 was 78° Fahrenheit on July 17 and 29 — five degrees shy of the mountain’s record high of 83°, recorded Aug. 22, 1983, July 26, 2005, and July 9, 2010. The lowest temperature observed in July 2021 was 45° on July 3. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of July was 41° on July 27, 1962. The average high temperature for July 2021 was 72.3°, with an average low of 57.7°, for a mean of 65°. On July 30, the station recorded a wind gust of 66 mph, while the highest sustained wind speed clocked in at 57 mph, also on July 30. As observed at the park’s nature museum, the mountain saw 6.51 inches of precipitation in July. Precipitation is measured at this lower elevation, as high winds make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top. The mountain’s rainiest July was recorded in 2013, when 23.91 inches of rain were observed. The driest July on record was in 1977, when only 1.74 inches were measured. The park counted 19 total days of precipitation for July 2021, compared to the park’s record high of 26 days in 1982. The rainiest day on record was July 4, 1989, when the station observed 6.25 inches. Weather Reporting The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation records and reports data in two different ways: The park maintains an automated weather station at the top...
The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans took place July 8-11 at MacRae Meadows at the base of Grandfather Mountain in Linville, N.C. The four-day weekend was brimming with bagpipes, astounding athletics, merry Highland melodies, colorful costumes, Celtic cuisine, tons of tartans and more. For more information, visit www.gmhg.org. Photos by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship...
Data recorded at the official National Weather Service reporting station at Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge indicated average June weather at the Linville, N.C., nature park. The lowest temperature observed in June 2021 was 46° Fahrenheit on June 1, 2 and 17. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of June was 31° on June 1, 1956 and June 3, 1966. The warmest day recorded in June 2021 was 75° on June 22 — seven degrees shy of the mountain’s record June high of 82°, recorded June 9, 2008 and June 1, 2011. The average high temperature for the month was 64.2°, with an average low of 54.2°, for a May 2021 mean of 59.2°. On June 21, the station recorded a wind gust of 59.7 mph, while the highest sustained wind speed clocked in at 48.9 mph on June 15. As observed at the park’s nature museum, the mountain saw 6.19 inches of precipitation in June. Precipitation is measured at this lower elevation, as high winds make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top. The mountain’s rainiest June was recorded in 1957, when 15.79 inches of rain were observed. The driest June on record was recorded in 1986, when only .6 of an inch was measured. The park counted 16 total days of precipitation for the month, compared to the park’s record high of 23 days in 1994, 1995 and 1997 and record low of six days in 1959. Weather Reporting The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation records and reports data in two different ways: The park maintains an automated weather station...
Pictured: John Van Deusen claimed first overall during the professional men’s heavy athletics division at the 2021 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. Photos by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has a reputation for inviting select professional athletes to come and enter in to its slate of time-honored competitions, but in 2021, John Van Deusen, called the games to ask if he could participate on his own accord. Based on Saturday, July 10’s results, this approach worked out pretty well for him. Deusen finished first overall in the men’s heavy athletics competition, winning the open stone, lightweight for distance, hammer and weight over bar categories, while placing well in the heavyweight for distance, the caber toss and sheaf toss. Even though it was only his second outing as a pro, Van Deusen showed out during his first trip to Grandfather Mountain. His only other experience as a professional came in 2018 when he competed at a Highland Games in Idaho and has since quickly learned the ins-and-outs of what it means to be a pro. “There’s no set way (to become a pro). You just have to know the numbers that people post on their throws, and you have to make sure your numbers are pretty close,” he said. “And you really have to know people. I didn’t really know anybody, but I knew who the athletic director was, and I called him, said I was free to come, and fortunately he had a spot open.” Van Deusen stands head and shoulders above his competition. He measures in at six feet and eight inches...
Pictured: Competitors in the elite women’s heavy athletics division stand in the winner’s circle after competing in the 2021 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. From left, Hannah Linzay claimed second place, Elissa Van Vleck won first overall and Adriene Wilson came in third. Photos by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation In just over a span of five years, the women’s heavy athletic division at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has grown from a group of three dedicated competitors to now attracting more than a dozen professional athletes form the across the country to participate in the weekend’s slate of ancient competitions. Leading this group during the Elite women’s category on Saturday, July 10, was Elissa Van Vleck, a first-grade teacher from Fort Worth, Texas, who finished first overall after stringing together dominant performances in the 28-pound toss and the lightweight throw for distance. Vleck previously won the GMHG in 2019, making her the back-to-back champion after the games were postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A prominent track and field athlete who specialized in shot put, discus and javelin while attending Aurora University in Chicago, Vleck began competing in Highland Games at the recommendation of her college coach. “When I found another passion and tried to be a runner with five kids, that did not go well,” Vleck said. “So then my university coach told me to try the Highland Games, and I was like, ‘I don’t know what that is,’ but he gave me one practice, shoved me out the door, and said ‘Good luck.’” Vleck’s entrance into the Highland Games turned out to be...
Pictured: Appalachian State University senior Casey Meinert pole vaults into the title of Outstanding Athlete in Track and Field at the 2021 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Two Boone residents took their track and field careers to new heights at the 2021 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. Patrick Freeman and Casey Meinert, both seniors at Appalachian State University, were named Outstanding Athletes of the track and field competition at this year’s Highland Games. Freeman competed at the Games in 2019, but 2021 marked Meinert’s first year doing so. “It was a ton of fun,” she said. “I absolutely loved it.” “It’s the most fun track event I’ve been to,” Freeman added. A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Freeman is currently studying geography at Appalachian State and hopes to become a wildlands firefighter after graduation. Meinert hails from Stafford, Va., and is studying nutrition and dietetics at Appalachian. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree and a career in pediatric nutrition. Track & Field Results Pole Vault – Men’s1. Patrick Freeman, Boone, NC, 13’-00”2. Reid Hastings, Winston-Salem, NC, 11’-0”3. Jacob Hastings, Boone, NC, 10’-6” Pole Vault – Women’s1. Rileigh Lacy, Darlington, SC, 10-’0”2. Casey Meinert, Boone, NC, 9’-0” High Jump – Men’s1. Patrick Freeman, Boone, NC, 5’-3”2. Reid Hastings, Winston-Salem, NC, 5’-0”2. Jacob Hastings, Boone, NC, 5’-0”2. Alex Lennon, Boone, NC, 5’-0” High Jump – Women’s1. Rileigh Lacy, Darlington, SC, 4’-0”2. Casey Meinert, Boone, NC, 3’-9”2. Joelle Ryan, Boone, NC, 3’-9” Long Jump – Men’s 1. Patrick Freeman, Boone, NC, 18’-4 1/2″2. Jake McMillan, Kosciusko, MS, 16’4”2. Taylor Fox, Easly, SC, 16’4”3....
Pictured: The 26th annual running of The Bear, a five-mile uphill foot-race to the top of Grandfather Mountain, saw 653 runners reach the finish line near the mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge. Photo by Jim Magruder | Magruder Photography During the 26th annual running of The Bear, Grandfather Mountain’s breathtaking views took on a literal meaning as more than 800 runners ascended 1,568 feet over the span of five miles to mark the return of the iconic race, following a hiatus due to COVID-19. Yet, first-place finisher Josh Izewski appeared to breathe easy shortly after finishing the endeavor with a time of 31:50.7. “It’s an awesome race,” Izewski said. “It’s great that they were able to put it on. They do a great job, and I’m excited to be able to come out here.” Izewski, a professional runner who lives in Blowing Rock, carried on the tradition of endurance athletes with ZAP Fitness finishing the race among the top competitors. Izewski said that it was his first time running The Bear and that he trained for the mountain’s steep grade by running the hills up to the Moses Cone Manor at the Bass Lake just 10 and a half miles away. “We’re accustomed to climbing, but it’s always different when you’re out here racing versus when you’re practicing,” Izewski said. Izewski noted that it was his first time running the race after having participated as a spectator in years past, but for Amanda Sorrow, who claimed first place in the women’s category with a time 40:58.2, the mountain’s dramatic incline felt a bit more familiar. “I’ve been running (The...
Pictured: Grandfather Mountain mourns the loss of Winston Church, pictured here with Mildred the Bear. Photos by Hugh Morton | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation There are men, and there are mountains. With the late Winston Church, however, any difference between the two was practically indistinguishable. Church, who served as Grandfather Mountain’s retail director, park operations manager, maintenance manager and all-around jack of all trades, passed away June 5, 2021, at the age of 80. Church had worked at Grandfather Mountain from 1962 to 2002. “Winston was a great mentor to me early in my career,” said Jesse Pope, president and executive director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Linville, N.C., nature park. “Whether he was hiking to the top of the mountain in a snow storm to record the daily weather, helping Mildred the Bear adopt orphan bear cubs or ensuring that our gift shops were fully stocked and staffed to welcome our guests on a daily basis, Winston did his job at the highest level.” Church, however, often went above and beyond that level. As Pope noted, he would record weather from the park’s National Weather Service recording station, at the time located atop the park’s old Top Shop near the Mile High Swinging Bridge. No matter the weather, Church, of his own volition, would personally see to it that the measurements were recorded, even when the mountain was at its coldest, windiest or snowiest. In one instance, Pope recounted, Church found himself stranded on the Top Shop roof during a particularly harsh winter storm, after wind had toppled his...
Luther H. Hodges and Hugh Morton fished together at Grandfather Lake, and their families shared many happy days on the mountain. They also shared a common commitment to the state of North Carolina, with Hodges leaving a legacy of public service, industrialization, education and the establishment of Research Triangle Park, and Morton leaving a legacy of nature conservation, education and the creation and preservation of Grandfather Mountain as an attraction for the public. Luther H. Hodges Jr. is celebrating both men and the shared histories of their families through a gift to the Fulfilling Promises Campaign. “The Mountain has been a significant part of our lives, and I wanted to honor it,” Hodges said. “And I thought that doing something in Hugh’s name and my father’s name was the best way to do that.” Hodges chose to support the refurbishment of the auditorium on the mountain, knowing that it would host gatherings for children and adults where they could learn from today’s environmental education experts and visionaries. He believes in the importance of staying connected to nature and in learning about it. “I’ve stayed close to the Morton family, and I wanted to do something for Hugh and for the Mountain,” Hodges said. “There are several things that I have decided that I would truly support, but only if it’s meaningful. And I think this is. The educational aspects of it are good and important, and I hope the theater will attract more people to the...
Data recorded at the official National Weather Service reporting station at Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge indicated average May weather at the Linville, N.C., nature park. The lowest temperature observed in April 2021 was 31° Fahrenheit on May 8. The lowest temperature ever observed on Grandfather Mountain in the month of May was 15° on May 6, 1957. The warmest day recorded in May 2021 was 76° on May 25 and 27 — only 2 degrees shy of the mountain’s record May high of 78°, recorded May 19, 1996. The average high temperature for the month was 62.3°, with an average low of 45°, for a May 2021 mean of 53.7°. On May 1, the station recorded a wind gust of 82 mph, while the highest sustained wind speed clocked in at 63.9 that same day. As observed at the park’s nature museum, the mountain saw 2.58 inches of precipitation in May. Precipitation is measured at this lower elevation, as high winds make it difficult to record accurate observations at the top. The mountain’s rainiest May was recorded in 2009, when 13.59 inches of rain were observed. The driest May on record was recorded in 2007, when only 1.43 inches were measured. Weather Reporting The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation records and reports data in two different ways: The park maintains an automated weather station at the top of the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The N.C. State Climate Office assists the foundation in calibrating the machines and ensuring overall accuracy of data.Grandfather Mountain has been an active member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Cooperative Observer Program...
By Emily Webb, Lees-McRae College Two broad-winged hawks took to the skies over Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows after a successful release by the Lees-McRae College‘s May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center staff on Friday, May 21. A few Grandfather Mountain staff members and representatives from local media outlets gathered to watch the release. Nina Fischesser, the director of the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, explained that animals treated by the center are normally released close to where they were found, but this was impossible for the two hawks. Instead, she reached out to Grandfather Mountain president and executive director Jesse Pope, a LMC graduate and Fischesser’s former intern, to arrange a public release. “This is full circle for us,” Fischesser said. “We’re really glad we can be here.” Photos by Judi Sawyer | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Hawks are closely linked with Grandfather Mountain, as the mountain is an official Hawk Watch location. Each September, trained counters come to the mountain to scan the skies and track the number of hawks flying overhead. These numbers are reported to the Hawk Migration Association of North America and used to assess the health of raptor populations in the country. At Grandfather Mountain, up to 10,000 hawks have been spotted in a single day. Three LMC summer clinical students, Ashley Ellis, Caselyn Little and Megan Guess, handled the release itself, and each gave a short presentation about the birds. Ellis, a wildlife biology major, talked about the natural history and behavior of broad-winged hawks. Like many hawk species who pass over Grandfather Mountain during their migration south, broad-winged hawks rely on the wind currents coming off the rocky outcroppings and ridges of the mountain to help them conserve energy on their flight. Broad-winged hawks are also one of the dozens of species who nest and breed on the mountain itself. Little, who is also studying...
