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Grandfather Mountain

Highland Games Set to Return to Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows July 11 – July 14

July 3, 2024 The long and storied tradition that is the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games returns to MacRae Meadows on Thursday, July 11, continuing through Sunday, July 14. This marks the 68th year for the beloved and historic celebration of Scottish ancestry and heritage, with the popular festival once again bringing a “wee bit o’ Scotland” to the High Country of North Carolina. Throughout the weekend of events, guests can take in the awe-inspiring spectacle of traditional Scottish athletic competitions, which includes Scottish heavy athletics, track and field competitions, Highland wrestling and more.

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Grandfather Mountain’s May Weather Report; It Was a Pretty Rainy Month

June 27, 2024 May 2024 was a pretty rainy month on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The weather station near the Swinging Bridge reported 9.90 inches of precipitation in May 2024, the seventh-highest total for this month on record. There were 24 days of at least trace amounts of recorded liquid precipitation (rain and the liquid equivalent of frozen precipitation, when applicable) for May 2024, one day short of the record 25 days in 2009 and matching 1986, 2020 and 2022.

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Habitat Enhancements Offer New Behind-the-Scenes Views of Grandfather Mountain’s Resident Cougars with Live Video Kiosk

June 14, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has added behind-the-scenes habitat cameras and a new kiosk with television screens at its cougar overlook, enhancing visitors’ experience and their chance to see these elusive animals. Cougars are crepuscular, meaning they are most active around dusk and dawn, and they spend a large portion of the day sleeping. Grandfather’s resident cougars, Logan and Trinity, follow this same pattern and are typically most active first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. In addition, the cougars are elusive and shy toward park guests, often choosing to sleep or lounge in sections of the habitat that can’t be seen by the public.

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Tickets for “Grandfather Presents: Richard Louv” Are on Sale Now for July 25 Presentation

June 10, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced that tickets for the second presentation of the Grandfather Presents 2024 speaker series are on sale now. Richard Louv, a journalist and author, continues these Thursday night presentations on July 25. The new Wilson Center for Nature Discovery will play host to the event. Guests will get to experience a “night at the museum” atmosphere, the speaker presentation and book-signing/ “meet-and-greet” opportunities.

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Grandfather Mountain to Host Annual Animal Birthday Party on June 12 Beginning at 11 a.m.

May 30, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is throwing its annual birthday bash for all resident animals on Wednesday, June 12 – and you’re invited! Included with park admission, the celebration will feature games, contests, crafts and surprises. The park’s habitat staff is preparing a fun-filled afternoon for guests with programs to celebrate its furry and feathered inhabitants as they mark another trip around the sun. Millie the Bear, the mountain’s mascot, will also make special appearances throughout the day.

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Angler, Biologist and “River Monsters” TV Host Jeremy Wade Kicks Off Grandfather Presents Speaker Series June 27

May 29, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced that tickets for the first presentation of the Grandfather Presents 2024 speaker series are on sale now. Jeremy Wade, an extreme angler, biologist, “River Monsters” documentary TV host and author, kicks off these Thursday night presentations on June 27. The new Wilson Center for Nature Discovery will play host to the event. Guests will get to experience a “night at the museum” atmosphere, the speaker presentation and book-signing/“meet-and-greet” opportunities.

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The Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble to Kick Off at Grandfather Mountain on May 25

May 13, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is welcoming guests to celebrate the beauty of this season by partaking in our Rhododendron Rambles, a series of guided strolls that showcase the park’s blossoming rhododendron and other native species. The easygoing rambles take place at 1 p.m. daily May 25 through June 2. These short, guided strolls are led by the park’s naturalists and are included with the price of admission. If the rhododendrons continue to bloom beyond early June, Grandfather Mountain naturalists may extend the event date

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Grandfather Mountain Releases 2024 Adult Field Course Lineup Beginning May 18th

April 30, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is once again offering its adult field course series for 2024, allowing participants the chance to explore Grandfather Mountain like never before and take a deeper dive into a variety of related topics. “These courses provide participants the opportunity to discover aspects of the park ecosystem, as well as the natural history and cultural history of this region, through fun field excursions relating to various subjects,” said John Caveny, director of conservation and education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

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March Was a Fairly Blustery Month on Grandfather Mountain; 10.76 Degrees on the 19th

April 29, 2024 March 2024 was a fairly blustery month on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for March 2024 was 48.40 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 32.68 degrees and a mean of 40.54 degrees. The warmest temperature recorded last month was 65.48 degrees on March 31, more than 6 degrees shy of the mountain’s record March high of 72 degrees, observed on March 30, 1985. March 19 saw the coldest temperature recorded last month with 10.76 degrees. A wind chill of minus 15.2 was noted that same day.

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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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