Go G.R.E.E.N. Day Event Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015 – 8:00 a.m. & 9:00 a.m. Meet at: Lowes Foods (Hwy 105/Hwy 184 intersection) – Banner Elk, NC Shuttle will be provided to trail and leaves promptly at 8:00am for guided hikes and 9:00am for nature hike. Pre-registration is required by August 21. Call the park office at 828.963.9522 or email: grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov. As part of Grandfather Mountain State Park’s Go G.R.E.E.N. Day Event on August 22, Boone’s very own hiking club, The Chargers and Re-Chargers are leading hikes of varying difficulty levels on the Profile Trail. If you ever wanted to tackle the Profile, but needed a little encouragement, this is your chance! Experienced Hike Leaders will lead the traditional hikes at 8:00am. Local Naturalist Bob Cantu will share his knowledge of native flora and fauna found along the trail on a special nature hike at 9:00am. ALL HIKERS ARE WELCOME AND MAY CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING HIKING OPTIONS: Guided Trail Hikes – (8:00AM – meet at Lowes Foods for shuttle) – Moderate: 4.5 miles round trip to Profile View with approx. 1100’ elevation gain – Strenuous: 5.5 miles round trip to Shanty Springs with approx. 1,600’ elevation gain – Very strenuous: 7 miles round trip to Calloway Peak with approx. 2,000’ elevation gain Guided Nature Hike with naturalist Bob Cantu (9:00AM – meet at Lowes Foods for shuttle) – Easy: 2 miles round trip with approx. 130’ elevation gain – This educational hike will be slow-paced to enable hikers to stop and observe plants and animals along the trail. Hikers on the easier hikes will return by 12:30pm, which will leave time to participate in other Go G.R.E.E.N. Day events. The Shanty Springs and Calloway Peak hikes will take most of the day. Please no dogs. Please wear sturdy hiking boots, bring snacks and water, dress in layers and bring a rain jacket. Don’t forget your hiking poles if you use them. Hike leaders are providing a shuttle for hikers from the Lowes Grocery Parking Lot, near McDonalds (intersection of Hwy 105 and 184) to the small Profile parking lot. Hikers are to meet at Lowes Foods – the shuttle will leave the parking lot promptly at 8:00am (Rides will also be provided for the 9:00am hike – leaving Lowes promptly at 9:00). Park website: http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/grmo/main.php Park Office: (828) 963-9522 | Email: grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov
3) Blue Ridge Parkway Ranger Programs
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Cone Manor – Milepost 294
10:30 am – Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor
From 10:30-12:30, the second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it-yourself tour. Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.
Saturday August 15, 2015
Cone Manor – Milepost 294
10:00, 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 -Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor
Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. Tour is approximately 45 minutes long and reservations are required. To reserve a tour: call 828-295-3782 or sign up at the NPS information desk at the Manor House. Reservations are accepted beginning at 10:00am Friday for the upcoming weekend only. No advance reservations, please.
Julian Price Campground Amphitheater – Milepost 296
7:00 p.m. – Skunks!!!
They are wonderful animals and unique to the Americas. Come and learn more about these useful and loveable creatures.
Approximately 45 minutes in length
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Cone Manor – Milepost 294
10:00, 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 -Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor
Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. Tour is approximately 45 minutes long and reservations are required. (See Saturday above)
ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Special thanks to Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Eastern National, and FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway for their financial support of these programs
4) Upcoming Programs on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Friday, August 14, 2015
Linville Falls Visitor Center- Milepost 316
11:00am- Hiking for the Perfect Picture
Join a ranger to explore Linville Falls on a guided hike focusing on engaging your photographic eye. Bring your camera, an eye for beauty, bottle of water, and comfortable shoes.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Linville Falls Campground Amphitheater – Milepost 316
7:00pm- Night Flyers
The owl has long been a representation of intelligence and wisdom, but it also symbolizes death in some cultures. Come learn about this silent night flyer, and why it is associated with such a diversity of characteristics.
Approximately 45 minutes in length
Crabtree Falls Campground Amphitheater- Milepost 340
7:00pm- Yell Fire
As one of the classical elements, fire has been seen as a powerful force within the universe. Learn about fire’s positive and negative effects and how wildland fire is fought.
Approximately 45 minutes in length
All programs are Free and open to the public
Special thanks to Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Eastern National, and FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway for their financial support of these programs |