Less than an hour and a half away from here is a NC treasure - Grandfather Mountain. Until 2008 it operated as a nature preserve and major tourist attraction. It was and still is best known for its mile-high swinging bridge, the highest in America. Built in 1952 by Hugh Morton, the bridge links two of the mountain's rocky peaks. In high winds, it will actually swing!
Morton inherited the mountain from his grandfather and is responsible for developing it as a tourist destination. He died in 2006 and donated his famous photography collection to UNC-Chapel Hill. In 2008, the state of NC purchased 2,600 acres and added Grandfather Mountain to the NC State Park System.
Grandfather Mountain rises 5,946 feet above sea level, and due to the considerable elevation gain, the mountain boasts 16 distinct ecological communities. The mountain is famous for its rugged character and is home to many hidden caves and significant cliffs.
It has been reported that Grandfather Mountain has experienced some of the "highest surface wind speeds ever recorded," with unverified speeds in excess of 200 mph.
Grandfather got its name when pioneers noted that the profile of the mountain's north face resembled that of an old man looking skyward.
Thousands of hikers travel to the park annually. The 11 trails on the mountain vary in difficulty, from strolls through the woods to some of the most rugged and intense hiking found in the Eastern U.S.
We had a beautiful day to explore the park and we stopped at the Sphinx Rock, walked across the swinging bridge, and had a picnic lunch with sweeping views at the Cliffs.