Archive for March, 2009
Grandfather Mountain is officially a state park now, with Friday’s passage of a legislative bill, one of the last steps of a year-long process that secures the long-term future of the biological treasure.
It joins 33 other state parks, including Elk Knob State Park in the Meat Camp community in Watauga County. The Morton family, heirs of the attraction’s founder Hugh Morton, reached the deal while continuing operation of a portion of the park that has been a popular travel destination.
The state purchased 2,456 acres of the mountain last year, and a bill to name it a state park was introduced by N.C. Rep. Cullie Tarleton (D-93) and Sen. Steve Goss (D-45), among other regional sponsors. The bill now goes to Gov. Beverly Perdue for her signature.
An agreement for the state to purchase the undeveloped, backcountry portion of Grandfather Mountain was announced by former Gov. Mike Easley in September. Funding for the $12 million acquisition came from the N.C. Parks and Recreation and Natural Heritage trust funds, with no additional appropriations needed in a tight budget year.
CONTACT US to become a member of The High Country Host!
Follow us on:
Spring at Grandfather Mountain means Nature Hikes!
The mountain boasts several hikes varying in difficulty, but equal in scenic grandeur.
From Grandfather.com:
Grandfather Mountain has 11 trails varying in difficulty from a gentle walk in the woods to a rigorous trek across rugged peaks. It is in the backcountry that you come up against the more challenging hikes.
For safety reasons, walking down the road is not permitted.
In-Park Nature Trails
Grandfather has a number of gentle paths that can be accessed from the summit road. Designed to offer a low-impact foray into nature, these paths allow guests to get out in the woods without requiring a long and strenuous commitment.
Backcountry Hiking Trails
Grandfather’s backcountry is very different from other areas in the South.
- Trails take you through forests usually found in Canadian climates.
- Many of the trails use ladders and cables to climb sheer cliff faces.
- Grandfather is home to 16 distinct natural communities (ecosystems).
- Is home to 70 rare or endangered species, including 29 that are globally imperiled.
- Portions of the backcountry are sheltered within a Nature Conservancy trust.
- Grandfather is part of the United Nation’s international network of Biosphere Reserves
- Hikers access trails only by paying user fees.
- Hiking is included as part of your attraction admission . Guests who purchase a ticket to the attraction may access the trails from inside the gates.
- Guests who visit for hiking only may access the trails from off-mountain trailheads and must purchase hiking permits for one-half the regular gate admission price.
CONTACT US to become a member!
Follow us on:
Posted in Grandfather Mountain, Things To Do | 
Tags: backcountry hiking, Grandfather Mountain, hiking trails | 
1 Comment »
Spring in the North Carolina High Country is a special time of year. With so much to do up here we thought it would be fun to explore some of the many attractions and fun things to see and do during your visit to the area.
We’ll kick this series off with one of the most famous attractions in North Carolina, Blowing Rock’s own….TWEETSIE!
Visit: Tweetsie.com!
CONTACT US to become a member!
Follow us on:
With so many benefits to becoming a member of our organization, it’s a no-brainer for businesses who want to expand their reach and deliver their message to potential visitors or new members of the community.
Benefit #3: Brochure distribution at our Visitor’s Center!
Where is the first place folks visit when planning their exploration in The High Country? The NC High Country Host’s Visitor’s Center, of course! Last year our Visitor’s Center in Boone welcomed over 45,000 visitors! As a member, your brochure is on display for people to see, pick up and carry with them. Doesn’t it make sense for you to have that exposure? Sure, it does!
Our site www.mountainsofnc.com, receives an average of 40,000 unique visits per month and continues to grow!
Additionally, we’ll post a blog article about you, our new member! We’ll include a picture, short paragraph and a link back to your website! You’ll also benefit from our social media marketing efforts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more!
What are you waiting for? Benefit #4 coming soon!
CONTACT US to become a member!
Follow us on:
Posted in Membership Benefits |
Tags: Boone, High Country Host, social media, Visitor's Center |
No Comments »
Sugar Mountain Resort, North Carolina – Take advantage of March Madness: www.skisugar.com/rates, discounts beginning March 9th and running through the end of the season.
Receive up to 25% off lift ticket, rental equipment and lesson prices and 40% savings on Winter Value Packages: www.skisugar.com/package. Don’t miss out on spectacular late winter season conditions; spring-like weather, sparsely populated slopes, and personal service; all at reduced rates.
Follow us on:
With so many benefits to becoming a member of our organization, it’s a no-brainer for businesses who want to expand their reach and deliver their message to potential visitors or new members of the community.
Benefit #2: We list your business on our site, MountainsOfNC.com!
And of course, we link from our site to yours, giving you the opportunity to post availability, promotions and specials for visitors to see; calendar featuring member events, opportunity to list packages with other HCH members and more!
Our site www.mountainsofnc.com, receives an average of 40,000 unique visits per month and continues to grow!
Additionally, we’ll post a blog article about you, our new member! We’ll include a picture, short paragraph and a link back to your website! You’ll also benefit from our social media marketing efforts on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more!
What are you waiting for? Benefit #3 coming soon!
CONTACT US to become a member!
Become a Fan on:
Follow us on:
Don’t let the warm weather over the next couple of days fool you!
Up here in the High Country ski season is still in full swing!!!
Thanks to that healthy dose of winter weather and the 12-14 inches of snow that arrived earlier this week….we’re having a ball!!!
So, come on up and experience the fun of Winter in the High Country!
For a full ski report visit SkiTheHighCountry.com!
Visit: MountainsOfNC.com!
Become a Fan on:
Follow us on:
Source: Jefferson Post
Post Photo/Jesse Campbell Social studies teacher Terry Williams will be around for students while he can still make a difference.
Williams has recently been chosen as this year’s recipient for the North Carolina Social Studies Teacher of the Year award. Each year, the North Carolina Council for Social Studies reviews peer recommendations in an attempt to choose the educator who has left the most profound impact on the lives of his or her students.
“I was just totally shocked when I found out,” said Williams who discovered that he had been selected for the award through a letter from the president of the governing council.
“It truly was a humbling experience for me,” he said.
Williams would later travel to Greensboro to accept the award on Feb. 13 and credits his success as an educator to the staff and administration he works with at Ashe County High School along with the support he has received from the school board and Superintendent Donnie Johnson.
With so many benefits to becoming a member of our organization, it’s a no-brainer for businesses who want to expand their reach and deliver their message to potential visitors or new members of the community.
Benefit #1: Get Listed in our Mountain Vacation Planner
The High Country Host produces and distributes over 175,000 copies of our full-color Mountain Vacation Planner. The Planner is distributed at Visitor Centers throughout North Carolina, trade shows, AAA Offices and Travel Agencies; as well as our very own Visitor’s Center in Boone where we welcomed over 45,000 visitors last year.
Your membership includes a listing in the vacation planner.
What are you waiting for? Benefit #2 coming soon!
CONTACT US to become a member!
Posted in Membership Benefits |
Tags: Boone, High Country Host, Mountain Vacation Planner, Visitor Center |
No Comments »
Click on the image to view our page on Facebook!
