Escape to Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain Bridge

By Laura Davis

I’ve always thought of Grandfather Mountain as the "Grand Canyon" of the East. So when my father recently visited me, I thought it would be a great opportunity to show him North Carolina’s most scenic tourist attraction, located just a little over two hours from Charlotte. "Grandfather Mountain," situated at 5280 feet above sea level, is aptly named, as the mountain’s profile resembles an old man looking towards the sky.

We arrived at the entrance mid-morning to find a steady line of cars waiting to purchase tickets. After paying $15 per person, we were given a brochure with a map, an audio tour CD, and a friendly welcome.

Grandfather Mountain Bridge

To the left, we saw McRae Meadows where the Highland Games are held each July. Driving up the mountain, we spotted Half Moon Overlook, where Dad couldn’t wait to take a photo of Linville and Second Peaks – very impressive, but we had only just begun.

Next up we visited Sphinx and Split Rocks. Formed from an ancient riverbed, they are now at an elevation of 5946 feet. Sphinx weighs more than two million pounds, and Split Rock’s crack was formed by freeze/thaw cycles.

As we continued to drive, the air became noticeably cooler, and clouds drifted like thick fog as we anticipated more awe-inspiring views. We were on to the nature museum and animal habitat. The nature museum features exhibits with gems, minerals, artifacts and a display of stuffed birds native to North Carolina. We also enjoyed a brief educational video with computerized, interactive teaching aids. Located in the nature museum is Mildred’s Grill where guests can purchase a picnic lunch or relax with a sandwich and fries while watching hummingbirds from the picture window. We chose to bring our own lunches and we dined inside as the raindrops fell from grey skies.

After lunch I couldn’t wait to walk down the zigzag paved walkway to the animal habitat. There I was shocked to see a black bear behind a fence, standing less than 20 feet from where I was. The bear was napping lazily on a rock as another bear stood farther below. Dad and I were excited to look around the corner and see a deer sanctuary. A doe posed for a couple of nice snapshots while the river otters playfully enjoyed the water, showing off for the tourists. We didn’t get to see the eagles or cougars, but there’s always the next trip.

Then we were back in the car. As I navigated the hairpin curves, my eyes drifted to the stunning scenery- but I needed to watch the road as I traversed up the most rugged mountain in the eastern U.S.

Grandfather Mountain Bridge

We arrived at the Top Shop Gift Shop, where we took the elevator to the main attraction, the Mile High Swinging Bridge (also accessible from the parking area stairs if you prefer). Originally constructed in 1952, this wooden-floored swinging bridge was quite an astonishing architectural feat. And lucky for us, in 1999 the 228-foot suspension bridge was rebuilt at a cost of $300,000. Wooden floors were replaced with steel flooring and steel cables, offering more stable footing across this bridge that rises 80 feet from the canyon.

They say the bridge sings as the wind blows through the cables. I didn’t hear any singing, but I felt a little queasy, my heart pounding, as I made my way across. Dad was brave enough to complete the walk across in spite of the bouncy feel under his feet. Others carefully walked along, enjoying beautiful views of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains.

If you want to admire a broader view of the mountains and valleys, you must be careful walking along the rocks and watch your footing before taking your next step. You can move about the rocks to experience entirely different views. There’s much to see, both near and far. For example, if you look across the valley you can see Grandmother Mountain, and down below small lakes and ponds reflecting clouds in the sky- a true bird’s-eye view. You can also see the flora and fauna from some of the 2700 acres of backcountry trailheads as part of Grandfather Mountain State Park. We noticed people walking on a trail below the bridge, which surely would have made for an interesting photo opportunity.

If you are considering a visit to the area, here are a few tips. It’s best to arrive after the morning fog has lifted; on a clear day you can see Charlotte 80 miles to the southeast as well as Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. I would suggest wearing hiking boots or well-soled shoes, not flip-flops. With the breathtaking scenery and the refreshing cool air, fall is a perfect time to take a trip to this beautiful mountain escape.

Want to visit Grandfather Mountain? For more information, go to www.grandfather.com or call 828-733-4337 or 1-800-468-7325. Hours: 8 am- 5 pm during the spring/fall season, subject to change in winter.