NC Park News: Wild Mushroom Walks at Chimney Rock State Park

August 14, 2015    Wild Mushroom Walks at Chimney Rock State Park    11 AM. Be amazed at the variety of fascinating fungi growing along the Park’s trails. Whet your appetite on this guided hike as you identify and learn about a dozen or so of the most common mushrooms among more than 1,000 species that could be growing in Western NC. 

This hike is led by Karen Johnson, member of State Parks and the Asheville Mushroom Club. Limit is a maximum of the first 15 people.  Meet at Grady’s Animal Discovery Den to begin the event which is included with Park Admission.

Find complete local area information on Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Chimney Rock Park Capital Improvements Updates

The stairways on the Outcroppings trail to and from the Chimney are being rebuilt at a surprising pace. The helicopter returned for its most recent trip February 27-28 to airlift more construction materials and steel support beams. The excitement continued that Monday with a WLOS reporter visiting to check out the progress and several military transport planes flying through Hickory Nut Gorge on training runs. It looked like an air show at the Rock!

Currently, the Outcroppings trail is on schedule to reopen in spring. The elevator and Sky Lounge projects are making good progress as well. All the hard work the general contractors have been doing over the last year to improve the Park is evident. A special thanks is extended to the NC State Parks and the dedicated Chimney Rock State Park staff for their exceptional cooperation.

The Old Rock Café's reopening has been rescheduled for mid-March. The restaurant's winter hours will be Thursday-Monday, 11 AM to 4 PM. A few surprises and new features are planned for the Old Rock including recurring live entertainment and a famous American recipe debuting  later this year.

Get a link for more Chimney Rock Park information HERE.

Warm Weather Leads to Record-Breaking Attendance at Grandfather Mountain

Attendance in December 2011 was up 16 percent over the previous best-ever December visitation as 12,718 patrons took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to get outside and enjoy Grandfather Mountain.
On average, temperatures in December ranged between 30 degrees and 43 degrees. Rain fell on only seven of the 31 days in the month and added up to a total of 4.95 inches. But the factor that contributed most to Grandfather's record-breaking attendance was the almost total absence of snow. The 0.2 inches of snow measured at the summit last month was 98 percent below the 56-year average December snowfall volume of 8.63 inches. The lack of frozen precipitation left travelers who had planned for ski vacations looking for other opportunities to get outside, so what was frustrating for the ski resorts was serendipitous for Grandfather Mountain.

Grandfather Mountain is the highest mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountain range at an elevation of 5,964 feet. The Mountain is owned by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation,  a not-for-profit corporation which was established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest, and participate in educational and research activities.  All proceeds from sales of tickets and souvenirs go toward caring for and presenting Grandfather Mountain in a manner that inspires good stewardship in others.

The Mile High Swinging Bridge is one of the favorite experiences on Grandfather Mountain and was built to give visitors easy access to the breath-taking view from Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak. The Wildlife Environmental Habitats are both an educational feature for humans and a protected safe haven for the resident animals. Environmental habitats are large enclosures that allow visitors to see animals in natural settings. Unlike the exhibits found in city zoos which bring in plants and boulders to recreate an appropriate setting, these enclosures were built around the animals’ actual native habitat. The Network of Nature Walks and Trails can take you through gentle forests and meadows, or if you choose, through rugged terrain navigated by ladders and cables. With either choice you can glimpse the wildest of wildlife and more of the breathtaking views Grandfather for which Grandfather Mountain is known. Nature Programs allow staff naturalists to share their love and enthusiasm for all things natural with Grandfather Mountain’s guests. Many programs are offered on a regular schedule and are included in the cost of admission.  Other programs are available on request and will require an additional activity fee. The Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum houses more than two dozen excellent exhibits including the finest collection of North Carolina gems and minerals available on public display. The Museum offers guests in-depth information and exhibits about the natural history of Grandfather Mountain and the surrounding region.


The majority of Grandfather Mountain is natural rugged terrain with more exposed rocks and crags than any other mountain in the Southern Appalachians. There are 16 different classifications of natural communities on Grandfather, which means that as you hike the backcountry trails you will remain constantly enchanted with the diversity of life around you. It would normally take several days of backpacking through another wilderness area to encounter as many distinct natural communities as you will see in a single day’s hike on Grandfather.

Get a link for Grandfather Mountain HERE

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Announces New Program

Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in conjunction with the Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountain Association,  are announcing a new opportunity to experience the Smokies. The new program, Experience Your Smokies, is a unique opportunity to get to know the park and its employees in a whole new way.

"If you have ever wanted to be a park ranger or get a behind the scenes look at what goes on in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this is your opportunity," said park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson of the new program. Experience Your Smokies is a program designed for local business, civic and educational leaders to get a behind the scenes look into the national park, while networking with others from western North Carolina. "Our surrounding communities and their leaders are very important to us, and this program gives us a chance to make more meaningful connections with our neighbors and for them to do the same with us."

Participants will attend two half day and three full day sessions at a variety of locations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, accompanying park employees in activities that may include radio-tracking elk, excavating archeological sites, and monitoring salamander populations. This is a perfect way to get an insider's look at park operations as we explore areas like Cataloochee Valley, Deep Creek, Oconaluftee, Clingmans Dome, and Purchase Knob.

Assisting in planning for the program are representatives of Smoky Mountain Hosts, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, the Swain County Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Waynesville and others. "Western North Carolina and the people of this region have such a deep and long connection with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park," said Waynesville Town Manager Lee Galloway, "This program is intended to give participants an inside look at the day to day operation of the Park and a better understanding of this wonderful asset we have in our region."

Experience Your Smokies is seeking diverse applicants from the surrounding communities for a program this spring. Program dates are as follows: Tuesday March 13th and 27th, April 17th, May 1st and Saturday May 19th. Class size is limited to 25 participants. Those attending will be asked to commit to attending all class days. Applications will be accepted between now and February 15. Please visit www.friendsofthesmokies.org/events.html  or call 929-452-0720 for an application.

Winter Wildlife Programs offered at Lake James Park

January 21   Bat Tales   Join Park Ranger Nora Coffey for a children's story about bats and make a bat craft to take home. Most appropriate for families with children ages 4 and up. Meet in the Catawba River Area basement classroom of Lake James State Park at 1 p.m.

January  22    Winter Wildlife Feeding   Discussion of backyard feeding stations for wildlife. Join Park Ranger Jamie Cameron for tips and strategies to attract birds and wildlife to your backyard this winter. Meet in the Catawba River Area basement classroomof Lake James State Park at 1 p.m.

January  22    Annimal Tracks and Signs   Learn about different tracks and signs that animals leave behind in Lake James State Park. Use clues like paw prints or scat, to identify, track, and learn about them. The program includes a short hike and making your own tracks to take home. Space is limited so call the park office at (828) 584-7728 for program registration. Meet in the Catawba River Area basement classroom at 2 p.m.

Lake James Park is located in rolling hills at the base of Linville Gorge near Marion NC. The the centerpiece of the Park is Lake James, a 6,510 acre man-made lake with 150+  miles of shoreline. Public activities at the Park include Education and events, boating, fishing, camping, swimming, hiking and picnicking.

Get a link for Lake James Park and other
Marion NC Attractions HERE

Every Penny Counts for Grandfather Mountain's Eagle Habitat

Elementary Students at Caldwell County Schools collected over $9,400 in pennies for a new Eagle Habitat at Grandfather Mountain. The students joined the Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce in the fund raising event. Penny challenge jars were placed in each elementary classroom in Caldwell County and a pizza party was promised for the class that collected the most pennies in each participating school. The classroom that collected the most pennies in the school system would win a field trip to Grandfather Mountain to tour the habitats and see the animals.

Top honors went to Allyson Davis' kindergarten class from Collettsville School who raised $186.06 and Tabitha Call's class from Davenport Elementary which collected $185.18. The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation will host field trips for both classes since the winning totals were so close.

The Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce initiated the effort to raise funds for a new eagle habitat as a 'thank you' to Grandfather Mountain for being an essential partner in the Bridge to Bridge Incredible Challenge Bike Ride for the past 22 years.

NC Parks are a Resource for Nature Education

There's nothing like hands-on experience to enhance learning and understanding. That hands-on experience is available on a regular basis at NC state and national Parks. Education Centers, field trips and special events provide people of all ages direct access to expert instruction and life-changing experiences.

Nov 21   Nature Nuts Turkeys - Activities and topics that focus on specific wildlife species or related topics by incorporating an informational presentation with a children's book, craft project and a hands-on activity. For children ages 4 to 7.

Nov 22    Waterfowl Workshop What kind of ducks are those? Join Park Ranger Jamie Cameron in a quest to identify the ducks and geese using Lake James. The weather may be chilly, so dress appropriately and be prepared to both drive and hike between looking spots. Binoculars and spotting scopes will be especially helpful for this program, but are not necessary. Meet at the Lake James State Park campground parking area (Catawba River Area) at 10 A.M.

Nov 23   Wednesdays at PARI The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute offers an unparalleled opportunity for people of all ages to experience the wonders of scientific research first hand. .PARI volunteers share the history and future of the site. They emphasize the opportunities to explore the universe available through PARI to all ages.

NC Fall Leaf Color Report: Grandfather Mountain Native

A picture really is worth a thousand words:

Photo taken on Grandfather Mountain by photographer Helen Moss Davis

For more information about Grandfather Mountain and other NC Parks click HERE.

NC Leaf Report: Grandfather Mountain, 10-3-11

The fall chill is definitely in the air at Grandfather Mountain with windy temperatures around 40 degrees. Don't forget to take a jacket!. Color is progressing rapidly throughout the higher elevations and the already breathtaking views are beyond description - you;;need to visit Grandfather Mountain to see for yourself:

Incredible photos and daily updates are available from Grandfather Mountain - get links for this and other local fall leaf reports here

 

These photos courtesy of Grandfather Mountain  Fall Color Report - visit the site to see more.

Grandfather Mountain - Fall Leaf Color Predictions

Grandfather Mountain in Blowing Rock NC is always one of the first and best  places to enjoy the NC fall leaf color. Grandfather Mountain's  Director of Education Predicts "Stunning Fall Color" this year: “We are seeing lots of color change already in September. The trees are looking healthy with lots of leaves, so I’m very optimistic that this will be a good season,” said Director of Education Jesse Pope.

“The peak viewing time in the higher elevations will likely be around the first two weeks in October.”Grandfather is a great destination for leaf looking, not only because its high peaks are a good vantage point for looking out across the color in the valleys below, but because the mountain hosts such a tremendous variety of plant life.  Each different species of plant life turns a slightly different hue, and that makes up an extremely varied color pallet.  Get more information  about fall color at Grandfather Mountain

October 1 - Snowflurries in the highest elevations!