Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble At Grandfather Mountain Starts Early This Year!
The showy rose-lavender blooms that decorate Grandfather’s slopes and indicate the beginning of another breathtaking summer on the mountain have arrived early this year. The mild winter that brought an early advent for other floral mountain displays will likely move this year’s spectacular showcase of rhododendron on the Mountain forward as well.
The “Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble” hosted by the attraction’s naturalists will celebrate this memorable sight June 2-17 at 1 p.m. daily. Grandfather’s knowledgeable guides are looking forward to sharing the beauty of this year’s blooms with park visitors.
“I am really excited to show guests this wonderful flower and plant as it is very important to the Mountain,” said Katie Gray, chief naturalist at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “The history about Andre Michaux and the plant’s discovery is really interesting.”
The naturalists have planned guided walks to honor the native Catawba Rhododendron and educate guests on how the plant fits into the important ecological communities at Grandfather Mountain.
Found throughout the southern Appalachia, Catawba Rhododendron also hold special significance in the botanical world. It is among only four original species of rhododendron that have been used to cultivate thousands of hybrids. The Catawba Rhododendron covers more than 1,000 feet in elevation from MacRae Meadows to MacRae Peak where it reaches 5,845 feet. The wide range of elevation provides guests with a longer window of opportunity to see the rhododendron blooming on Grandfather. It typically first appears at overlooks near the entrance of the attraction in late May and arrives at the higher peaks near The Mile High Swinging Bridge by the end of June.
Due to this year’s unseasonably warm weather, blooms can already be found around MacRae Meadows. Staff naturalists may plan rhododendron-focused programs earlier than June 2 if the blooms are widespread late May.
“For each Rhodo Ramble we’ll lead guests on a short walk, teach them how to identify the differences between species, take pictures and discuss the vivid colors of this stunning plant,” said Gray. “Information boards in the Nature Museum and at the Entrance Gate will direct guests to where the ramble will begin.” All Rhododendron Ramble activities are included in the regular attraction admission.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
Experience Naturalist Weekend At Grandfather Mountain!
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is hosting its annual Naturalist Weekend May 11-13. This weekend provides guests with an in-depth look at the diversity found in the mountain’s ecological communities through guided hikes and workshops.
The weekend starts off Friday with the all-day Grandfather Spring Bird Count. During the bird count, visitors will be birding at various locations around Grandfather Mountain, including the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain State Park. That evening, guests will be guided throughout the park looking and listening for Grandfather’s native nocturnal animals in the Owl Prowl. Space for both of Friday’s programs is limited and reservations are necessary.
“The Owl Prowl is one of the neatest events on the Mountain. We go to the top, discuss natural history, play owl calls and wait for the owls to return them.” said Katie Gray, chief naturalist at the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.
Saturday’s busy schedule begins with a 9:30 a.m. Wildflower Hike and a “Birds of Prey” program at 11 a.m. Naturalist Weekend continues in the afternoon with a “Crayfish Research Project” at 1 p.m. offering participants an introduction to the project and an up-close look at some of Grandfather’s crayfish.
At 2 p.m., a Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Interpretive Ranger leads guests on the “Nature on the Edge Hike.” This trek will follow the Extension Trail loop, starting and ending at the Black Rock Parking Area. This moderately strenuous hike focuses on the transition of habitats from the Mountain’s flanks to ridgeline. Space for this hike is limited and reservations are necessary.
Another plant-themed hike begins at 4 p.m. called “Trees and Shrubs of the Southern Appalachians.” This moderately strenuous hike focuses on the native trees and shrubs on Grandfather Mountain. This hike begins and ends at the Extension Trailhead next to the Black Rock Parking area.
Sunday’s schedule begins at 7:30 a.m. with a Birding Hike on the Profile Trail in Grandfather Mountain State Park. “Geology of Grandfather,” a hike focusing on the unique geology of Grandfather Mountain begins at 10 a.m.
A “NASA Climate Workshop” begins at 11 a.m. and a “Habitat Animal Training” program at 1 p.m. A “Tracking Animals” guided walk takes place at 2 p.m. and focuses on tracks and signs of animals. The weekend will come to a close with a “Cultural Walk” at 3 p.m. followed by a “Diseases on Trees and Local Plants” program at 4 p.m.
For more information about Grandfather’s Naturalist Weekend or to make reservations for the Owl Prowl or “Nature on the Edge Hike” please call 828-733-4326. To make reservations for the Spring Bird Count please call 828-733-3224. For a complete schedule of the Naturalist Weekend events, please visit www.grandfather.com.
All programs and guided walks offered as part of the Naturalist Weekend are included in the regular price of admission. Those who attend for more than one day should keep their receipt from their first visit and present that for discount admission the following day.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
First Annual Grandfather Campout At Grandfather Mountain
This summer at Grandfather Mountain brings a brand new event, offering participants unique and new opportunities on the Mountain. The First Annual Grandfather Mountain Campout July 27-29, is an all-weekend event hosted by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.
During this campout, guests can spend up to three days and two nights camping in MacRae Meadows between organized events all over the Mountain. Grandfather’s education and interpretive staff will be present in the camp area to assist novice campers, answer questions and even offer campfire treats and activities. The campsite will be safe, cater to all levels of camping experience and welcomes families, couples, and solo adventurers throughout this weekend of wonder.
These opportunities are included in the price of registration: “Night Adventures,” “The Wonders of Bees” children’s program, a climate and weather program, a tree and shrub walk and an orienteering workshop. Also included in the registration price is “A Bug’s World” children’s program, a clouds and weather program, a butterfly program, “Nature Near the Swinging Bridge” and several campfire and evening gatherings. There are also additional, more in-depth activities like “Grandfather’s Attic Hike” and Behind the Scenes habitat tours, available at an additional charge.
Campout participants also get the added bonus of extended hours on Grandfather. Campers receive access to the park’s overlooks, Woods Walk picnic area and walking trail and the Mile High Swinging Bridge in the morning starting 30 minutes prior to sunrise and in the evening from closing time to 30 minutes after sunrise, allowing for incredible and rare scenic photo opportunities.
Registration for the Grandfather Mountain Campout begins May 1 on www.grandfather.com. Registration forms must be printed and mailed in. Those who wish to resister for a guided hike and/or a Behind the Scenes Tour must be sure their registration is received by July 25. Registration for the Campout must be received by July 27.
Campsites are $30 per night for participants or $25 per night for annual pass holders. Admission to the park is not included in the campsite fee. Those who attend multiple days of the campout should keep their admission receipt to receive discount admission into the park the following days of the event. For questions about registration please call 828-733-4326.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
Grandfather Mountain Lowers “Keeper For A Day” Rates and Adds a Three-Hour Option!
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation has lowered the cost of the ‘Keeper for a Day’ Program this year to $150 for guests and $120 for season-pass holders. The Mountain is also beginning to offer a three-hour option in addition to the full, six-hour option.
The full day option includes admission to the park, a t-shirt, lunch with the animal caretakers and six hours of experiencing the daily chores of the Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats staff: feeding, cleaning and caring for the five species of animals that call the habitats home. The new half-day option, which costs $75 ($60 for season pass holders), includes admission to the park, a t-shirt and three hours of hands-on animal care.
“We hope to give people a better appreciation for our habitat staff and the wonderful animals that they care for,” said Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation President Penn Dameron.
Participants must at least 12-years-old; capable of walking up and down steep, rough terrain; wear closed-toe hiking or work boots and be willing to sign a waiver of liability.
The Keeper for A Day Program is available on certain Tuesdays, April-October. Both the three-hour and six-hour options begin at 8 a.m. Reservations for the program must be made at least 24 hours in advance. A full schedule of dates can be found on www.grandfather.com. For more information or to reserve your spot, call the Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats at 828-733-8715.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
Spring Into The NC High Country With Birding, Wildflowers & Festivals!
An extended period of unseasonably warm weather has brought the sights and smells of an early spring to the NC High Country. Wildflowers are blooming weeks earlier than normal and the lush, green landscape in the valleys below is making its way up the mountain flanks.
One of the first spring events in the High Country is the Blue Ridge Wine & Food Festival in Blowing Rock April 11-15. An extra day has been added to the event, now in its sixth year, to give visitors additional opportunities to take part in shopping, cooking classes, wine seminars and more.
MerleFest, April 26-29, in Wilkesboro is a festival of music described as “tradition plus” meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian region plus whatever other styles the musicians would like to play. MerleFest, founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson, boasts musicians ranging from Vince Gill to Sam Bush to Los Lobos this year, plus dozens more.
The hillsides come alive in the spring with music, wildflowers, songbirds, herbs and mushrooms. The 4th Annual Banner Elk Herb Festival takes place May 26-27 this year with more fresh herb plants that ever before. The event will offer arts and crafts, farmers’ market items, a kid zone, food vendors and great live music.
Many other happenings occur throughout the months of April and May including weekly wildflower walks at Grandfather Mountain State Park in April, Wednesday morning bird walks at Valle Crucis Park with the High Country Audubon Society and the 2012 kickoff of the Watauga Farmers’ Market May 5. The Farmers’ Market will continue every Saturday through October from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Horn in the West parking lot in Boone.
For ticket information, times and more information on all High Country events please visit the High Country Host website, www.mountainsofnc.com.
North Carolina’s High Country provides the best vacation experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area includes 100 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway and many popular tourist destinations including Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Linville, Sparta, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Advance Tickets Now Available
Advance tickets are now available for the 57th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, July 12-15. The Highland Games are a beacon of heritage and fun where the color of hundreds of tartan plaids and the clamor of half-a-dozen bagpipe bands grace the North Carolina High Country.
The Grandfather Games are considered the greatest of America’s Scottish Games because of the spectacular mountain setting that is so reminiscent of Scotland. The deep blue peaks of Grandfather Mountain tower above a meadow ringed by 130 red, blue, yellow and green striped tents.
In addition to the convenience of ordering tickets ahead of time and the fact that advance tickets save $25 versus buying daily tickets during the event, this year’s advance ticket holders will receive the added benefit of a free round-trip shuttle Friday, Saturday and Sunday between the games and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Boone, a $30 per-person value. Parking at MacRae Meadows will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night events.
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has also teamed up with several local hotels, offering discounted rates to those planning their trip in advance.
The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is a not-for-profit organization based in Linville, NC. Proceeds of the Highland Games go directly to scholarship efforts in the Avery County area. For more information about the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games including advance ticket information and a full list of participating hotels, please visit www.gmhg.org or call the office at 828-733-1333.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
Balsam Range To Perform At Grandfather Mountain On April 22nd!
The award-winning bluegrass band Balsam Range will appear at the Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum on Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m.
Balsam Range, named after the Haywood County, NC mountains where the members of the group call home, was nominated for the Emerging Artist award by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2010 and 2011 as well as Album of the Year in 2011. They were honored with the IBMA Song of the Year award last year for “Trains I Missed.” This “up close and personal” concert by the Western North Carolina tradition-bearers at Grandfather Mountain is a can’t-miss opportunity.
“We are excited to welcome the members of Balsam Range back to Grandfather Mountain,” said Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation President Penn Dameron. “The group delighted our visitors last September and we hope even more folks will take advantage of this great opportunity in April.”
Advance ticket sales begin Monday, April 9 and end Saturday, April 21 and are available on www.grandfather.com. Adults ages 13 and up are $25 and children ages four to 12 are $15. Children under four are always free. The ticket price includes all day admission to Grandfather Mountain and admission to the concert.
Grandfather Mountain annual pass holders and others who have already purchased admission to the park for the day can buy tickets to the concert online for $7 in advance or at the Nature Museum for $12 the day of the show.
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, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
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Opening Day At Tweetsie Railroad Is April 13th!
Tweetsie will open for the 2012 Season on April 13th!
- April 13 through May 28, 2012: Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Memorial Day Monday, May 28, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Note: Tweetsie Railroad is closed Monday-Thursday through May 31. - June 1 through August 19, 2012: Open 7 days a week, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Tweetsie will be open until 9:00 pm on July 4th for the Fireworks Extravaganza, and July 7, 14, 21 & 28 for Cool Summer Nights.
Note: Tweetsie Railroad is closed Monday-Thursday beginning August 20. - August 24 through October 28, 2012: Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Labor Day Monday, September 3, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- We will also open Friday and Saturday nights September 28 through October 27 for the Ghost Train® Halloween Festival. Gates open 7:30 pm.
Tweetsie Railroad will be closed for the winter beginning October 28, 2012.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
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Eighth Annual Easter Egg Hunt At Ski Sugar!
On Sunday, March 18th Sugar Mountain Resort hosts the Eighth Annual Easter Egg Hunt right on the slopes. Dress up in your Easter Best costume and join Sugar Bear and Sweetie Bear on the snow in search of prize-filled eggs. In addition to the sweet treasures, other lucky hunters may strike gold and claim a sparkling trove of great giveaways. And one great hunter will find a season ski pass hidden in the grand prize egg for the 2012-2013 winter.
At the start of the hunt, participating children, who must be 12 years and younger, will load the No. 1 Summit lift promptly at 9 am. All thats required is a valid slope pass and everyone must be on skis or snowboards. Unloading at mid-station, everyone will gather at the start line and then the hunt begins down Lower Flying Mile.
Children are encouraged to wear their ‘Easter Best’ Costumes, and the top three entrants will win prizes. Judges will be looking for color, creativity, and imagination behind the outfits. So put on your bunny suit and bonnet, bring your Easter basket, and join us for another wild hare outdoor adventure at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort.
For more information please call 1-800-SUGAR-MT or visit our website www.skisugar.com/calendar
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
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SKI OR RIDE TO BENEFIT THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AT SUGAR MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT
On Sunday, March 4th we celebrate the life of the late Dick Trundy, a decorated Marine Corps General and aviator who served as Sugar Mountain Ski Resorts Director of Operations after his retirement from the service. Dick was an avid skier who enthusiastically embraced the daily life of a ski area executive. Sadly he died of cancer in 2002.
The Dick Trundy Sugar Cup giant slalom competition is a NASTAR style competition open to skiers and snowboarders from the age of four to seniors 65 years and up. Event registration is from 7:30 am until 8:30 am with racing beginning at 9 am on Big Red. Prizes are awarded to the top three ski and snowboard finishers in 13 categories ranging from four and under to 60 plus. Entry fee is $15.00 and participant lift tickets are $25.00. One-hundred percent of entry fees are given to the American Cancer Society in Dicks memory. Additional donations are greatly appreciated.
For more information please call 800-SUGAR-MT or visit www.skisugar.com/calendar.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
Stay Connected!
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