Grandfather Mountain offers winter paradise

Most people know the activities offered and fun
to be had at Grandfather Mountain during the
spring, summer and fall, but what could there possibly be to do there during the winter? Quite a bit, actually.
Grandfather Mountain offers an entirely different look and feel during the cold months of the year. “People can do the exact same things as in the summer,” said Park Naturalist Jesse Pope. “It’s colder, but the views are astonishing here in the winter. It’s the best time to have clear views of surrounding peaks and even the skyline in Charlotte.”

All of the mountain’s hiking trails remain open in the winter, but hikers should be cautious of ice and snow on the trails. Park rangers clear as much as possible, but with the conditions in the High Country, icy patches typically can be found on the trails from December through March.

Pope said hikers should have ice cleats to assist in walking on the snowy and icy terrain, and hike with care. Hikers during the winter months also should wear appropriate warm clothing.

“It’s very different to be on the bridge with the rime ice on the trees,” Pope said. “You really feel like you’re in a winter wonderland. It’s a photographer’s paradise to be here in the winter. The views, the rime ice is really pretty when it gets on the trees. When snow is on the ground and there’s a blue sky or pink sunrise, you have beautiful colors.”

Unless weather severely intervenes, all parts of Grandfather Mountain remain open during the winter, including the bridge, the nature museum, and the restaurant with its homemade soup and chili and other food.
Another part of the park that is popular year-round is the animal habitats. “The otters love winter,” Pope said. “They love to play in the snow. If you catch a day when there’s snow on the ground, they like to slide down the hills in the habitat. If it’s a deep snow, they tunnel underneath the snow, and pop their heads out. Cougars also like the snow. In the winter, the bears will be hibernating, but you can occasionally catch a glimpse of a bear.”
When snow falls, the mountain has its own snow removal equipment, but occasionally the snowfall is too heavy to safely open the park. Anyone interested in visiting on a very snowy day should call ahead to see if the gate will open that day.

Grandfather Mountain is located on U.S. 221, two miles north of Linville and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305. Winter hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is $14 for adults ages 13-59, $12 for seniors 60 and over, $6 for children 4-11, and free for children under 4. Ticket sales end one hour before closing.

To contact Grandfather Mountain, call the gate at 828-733-4337 or the office at (800) 468-7325 or (828)733-2013 locally.