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Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain Announces Revamped Grandfather by Night Events for Summer

April 2, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the nonprofit nature preserve operated by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is once again offering its series of nighttime expeditions on the mountain this summer through its popular educational program, Grandfather by Night. This unique experience on Grandfather Mountain lets guests experience the park after hours with education staff as their guides. Guests will discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders while stopping at its most significant sites, beginning with the rare opportunity to watch a sunset at the world-famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. New in 2024, participants can choose between two variations of the event: adventurous and less adventurous.

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Grandfather Mountain February 2024 Weather Report; Fairly Standard Conditions

March 29, 2024 February 2024 saw fairly standard conditions for the month on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for February 2024 was 43.63 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 27.46 degrees and a mean of 35.55 degrees. The warmest temperature recorded last month was 51.8 degrees on Feb. 26, just over 12 degrees shy of the mountain’s record February high of 64 degrees, observed Feb. 22, 1977, and Feb. 15 and 16, 1989. Feb. 18 saw the coldest temperature recorded last month with 9.9 degrees. A wind chill of minus 12.47 was noted that same day

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Educator Workshops Return to Grandfather Mountain; Courses for Individuals Seeking Certification as an N.C. environmental Educator

March 18, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is excited to announce its lineup of four educator workshops, free to attendees, for the 2024 season. These workshops, provided specifically to environmental educators in various professions, offer opportunities for career growth and professional development by using the wonders of Grandfather Mountain to further participants’ expertise.

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Grandfather Mountain to Host Solar Eclipse Viewing Event April 8 from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

March 15, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced a day of festivities to celebrate one of nature’s most spectacular sights. A solar eclipse is coming to North America on April 8. Weather permitting, a partial eclipse will be visible at Grandfather Mountain. According to sources, approximately 87% of the sun will be obscured in this region. The best viewing time will be between 2-3 p.m

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Grandfather Mountain Announces An Inspiring Slate of Special Events for the Upcoming Year 

March 14, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has lined up an inspiring slate of events for the coming months. This year’s calendar kicks off with an event for the upcoming solar eclipse and also features a list of favorite annual happenings on the mountain – with some exciting updates. “Our event season is just around the corner,” said John Caveny, director of conservation and education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “We continue to try to cultivate and offer an event lineup that satisfies and intrigues a variety of guests and ties into our mission to inspire conservation.”

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“Dollar Days” set to begin April 1 at Grandfather Mountain; April brings a Mile-High Slate of Programs, Activities and More

March 11, 2024 Grandfather Mountain will open its gates to High Country residents, employees and their guests for only $5 each during the month of April, as the park’s “Dollar Days” promotion returns in time for spring. The promotion allows anyone who lives or works in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell (added this year), Mitchell, Watauga or Wilkes counties — along with their guests traveling in the same vehicle — to visit at the discounted rate (per person). It is important to note, Dollar Days guests must book their visit online at www.grandfather.com. To take advantage of the reduced rate, guests should choose the Dollar Days admission calendar and rate when reserving their tickets.

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Grandfather Mountain January Weather Report

March 1, 2024 January 2024 saw quite a bit of snowfall on Grandfather Mountain, as well as some blustery conditions, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for January 2024 was 34.30 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 20.64 degrees and a mean of 27.47 degrees. The warmest temperature recorded last month was 53.2 degrees on Jan. 26, just under 12 degrees shy of the mountain’s record January high of 65 degrees, observed on Jan. 30, 2002.  Jan. 21 saw the coldest temperature recorded last month with minus 5.1 degrees. A wind chill of minus 34.41 was noted that same day.

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Grandfather Mountain’s 2023 Weather in Review

January 31, 2024  Grandfather Mountain is a rugged place known for its wild and fast-changing weather. While no records were set or broken in 2023, the year saw many noteworthy monthly totals, according to data collected at the nature park’s official weather reporting stations near the Mile High Swinging Bridge and Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Some notable observations, and how they compare to Grandfather’s 69 years of recorded data, are included in the story.

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Grandfather Mountain December 2023 Weather Report; Quite a Bit of Rainfall Recorded

January 22, 2024  December 2023 saw quite a bit of rainfall on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for December 2023 was 40.41 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 28.91 degrees and a mean of 34.66 degrees. The warmest temperature recorded last month was 52.7 degrees on Dec. 2, more than 10 degrees shy of the mountain’s record December high of 63 degrees, observed on Dec. 7, 1956. Generally, December sees winter weather conditions set in on Grandfather Mountain.

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Grandfather Mountain Kicks Off 2024 Hiring Season with Jan. 18 Job and Volunteer Fair

January 5, 2024 The Linville, N.C.-based nonprofit nature park and preserve, owned and operated by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is hiring across its various departments for the 2024 season and beyond. Both seasonal and year-round positions are available, offering mountains of opportunities for job- and career-seekers. The organization is kicking it all off with the Grandfather Mountain Job and Volunteer Fair on Thursday, Jan. 18 from 2-5 p.m.

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Grandfather Mountain announces revamped Adopt-an-Animal Program

December 6, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has revamped its Adopt-an-Animal Program, with gift-level revisions that include the addition of unique artwork created by adopted animals and a new $1,000 donation level featuring personalized videos of the adoptee.“The changes made to our Adopt-an-Animal Program provide a more personal touch for adopters, as they receive more items related specifically to the individual animal that they have chosen to symbolically adopt,” said Margaret Thiele, vice president of development for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

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Grandfather Mountain to host New Year’s “Sunrise at the Swinging Bridge”

November 7, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is hosting a special experience for guests to ring in 2024 from a mile high. On Monday, Jan. 1, the New Year’s “Sunrise at the Swinging Bridge” event will provide guests with the rare opportunity to be in the park before regular operating hours and to hopefully witness a captivating sunrise from the Mile High Swinging Bridge – the first of 2024! 

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Grandfather Mountain September 2023 Weather Report                                 

November 2, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – September 2023 saw fairly average weather on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations.The average high temperature for September 2023 was 62.06 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 52.35 degrees and a mean of 57.21 degrees.The warmest temperature recorded last month was 74.5 degrees on Sept. 5, over four degrees shy of the mountain’s record September high of 79 degrees, observed Sept. 24, 2010. Generally, September sees fall weather conditions take hold on Grandfather Mountain, with cooler temperatures arriving.

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Grandfather Mountain offers opportunity to enjoy “Sunrise at the Swinging Bridge” this November

October 6, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is offering a special experience during Thanksgiving weekend this year. On Saturday, Nov. 25, the “Sunrise at the Swinging Bridge” event will provide guests with the rare chance to be in the park before regular operating hours and to hopefully witness a captivating sunrise from the Mile High Swinging Bridge.

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Grandfather Mountain July 2023 Weather Report

August 31, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – July 2023 saw fairly average weather on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for July 2023 was 68.73 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 58.90 degrees and a mean of 63.82 degrees.

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Grandfather Mountain to Host Junior Naturalist Day on Sept. 9

August 11, 2023 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced that it will be hosting its annual Junior Naturalist Day on Saturday, Sept. 9. Activities, included with admission, will be provided specifically for children ages 5 to 12 – though all ages are welcome – to explore their environment and experience all that Grandfather has to offer.

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Grandfather Mountain June 2023 Weather Report

July 28, 2023 This past June was among the coolest on record on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for June 2023 was 61.16 degrees Fahrenheit, the third-lowest on record. The 68-year coolest average high temperature on record at Grandfather is 60.27 degrees in 1997. Meanwhile, the average low of 50.94 degrees was the eighth-lowest on record, while the mean of 56.05 degrees was the fifth-lowest on record for this month.

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Grandfather Mountain to host Animal Enrichment Day on Aug. 2

July 20, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is hosting its annual Animal Enrichment Day on Aug. 2 and invites guests to experience firsthand how Grandfather Mountain cares for its resident animals. The event, which allows visitors to watch enrichment demonstrations, talk directly with keepers and participate in family-oriented interactive games, is included with admission.

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Reservations are now open for “Grandfather Presents: William Mangum”

May 24, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced that you may now reserve your seat for the first of the Saturday presentations in its 2023 Grandfather Presents speaker series. Artist William Mangum will present “North Carolina Beautiful” on June 3.

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Grandfather Mountain Releases 2023 Adult Field Course Lineup

April 10, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is bringing its Adult Field Course series back for 2023, offering participants the chance to explore Grandfather Mountain like never before and take a deeper dive into a variety of related topics.

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Springtime Fun at Grandfather Mountain                                 

April 3, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is gearing up for springtime, with daily programs, special experiences, a slate of events — including new happenings! — and beautiful blooms all ahead. “Spring is such a special time here,” said Jesse Pope, president and executive director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “Along with the greening of the mountain and the first wildflowers starting to appear, our programming really ramps up and offers guests so many unique options for experiencing Grandfather.” 

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Local grant allows Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation to make improvements to elk habitats

March 23, 2023 LINVILLE, N.C. – Thanks to the ongoing support of the High Country Charitable Foundation, and most recently a $19,000 grant, Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, was able to make improvements to its elk habitat.
High Country Charitable Foundation, based in nearby Banner Elk, N.C., is a nonprofit organization with a vision to help the Avery County, N.C., community by providing for neighbors and animals in need. This specific funding allowed for two important updates to the behind-the-scenes area of Grandfather Mountain’s elk habitat – a reliable water source in the animals’ shifting paddock and the reinforcement of the fencing in this location.

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