Carolina Towns and Trails: Grandfather Mountain

Showing posts with label Grandfather Mountain. Show all posts

Grandfather Mountain Part II: Geology

Okay, I have avoided this subject for as long as possible. Geology is often difficult to understand, but to really appreciate Grandfather Mountain, visitors must at least give the subject a cursory glance because Grandfather Mountain is geology. It's conglomerate rocks, outcroppings and rock that gives the appearance of having been melted (this isn't the technical term, but how I viewed it). And when I read about Grandfather Mountain and geology, I come upon phrases such as rift basins, crustal sheets. thrust faults and geological window.

Here's what the park has to say on the subject: www.grandfather.com/worldofwonder/geology/

I'll just say that Grandfather Mountain has some pretty neat rocks, and not just the promontories that contribute to the famous profile.

Shortly after entering the park, vistors approached two large boulders, commonly referred to as Split Rock and Sphinx Rock. Both are conglomerate rock which, according to Exploring the Geology of the Carolinas, is formed from various rock types including flattened pebbles. Significant in that it shows the rock has been metamorphosed (changed by heat and pressure).

Larger than they appear!

Closeup of the pebbles and rock that form these boulders:

The rock at the Swinging Bridge is also conglomerate rock, but appears melted in some places, angular in others, providing dramatic, dynamic views.

And of course:

So while admiring the incredible views from Grandfather Mountain, don't forget to examing the geological significant rock beneath your feet.

For more information, check out the chapter on Grandfather Mountain in Exploring the Geology of the Carolinas by Kevin G. Steward and Mary-Russell Roberson.

Grandfather Mountain Part I: The Summit

For some, the mention of Grandfather Mountain calls to mind the Mile-High Bridge, the animal habitat, and an imposing granite profile perched atop a mountain. Others know the mountain more for its history or geology. Whatever the interest, Grandfather Mountain is a state treasure, and one of North Carolina's newest state parks.

We recently traveled to Boone, NC to visit Grandfather Mountain. One of two destinations along the Blue Ridge Parkway we've passed far too many times, though not for lack of interest. Shortly after moving to the Carolinas, one look at the iconic photo of a man standing near the precipice overlooking a sea of white clouds, and then reading about the mountain in connection with the infamous Union guerrilla, Keith Blaylock, convinced me to visit. But between my fear of heights and an entrance fee, we shoved Grandfather Mountain to the bottom of the To-See list. After all, I could never cross that bridge, so why bother paying the price?

As I learned, for several reasons.

We began our visit at the entrance on US 221. After paying the entry fee, a bit less than we expected thanks to a AAA discount, we received a brochure and an audio CD that, with amazing timing, guided us up the road to the top of the mountain. We paid close attention, noting what we would return to, and where we would stop during our ascent (more on that later). But our main goal was the peak that for so many years, I longed to visit.

Our drive ended in the parking lot of the Top Shop, where a blast of cold wind curled around us and nearly knocked us off our feet as we stepped out of the car. The weather is unpredictable at the summit, so much so, weather equipment is attached to the bridge, so bring a warm jacket regardless of the season. Inside Top Shop, a gift shop and gateway to the Mile-High Bridge and that famous peak, I purchased a warm knit cap and we took the elevator to the upper deck where an inspiring view captivated me.

It was inspiring, I crossed that bridge despite my fear. I had to. It called me to, asking how could I come that far and not walk to that peak?

It helped that the bridge spans an 80-foot gorge, not a mile of empty space. The bridge is simply a mile above sea level. As we soon discovered, in the middle of the bridge near the mile marker, the wind whistles through the metal slats resulting in an ethereal song heard only by those who dare to cross. On this day, that would be me.

Why did the chicken cross the road? To see the view from the other side!

But the singing bridge and panoramic view wasn't all there was to see. As I mentioned earlier, Grandfather Mountain has a unique geology, easily visible to guests, which I'll discuss in my next post.

For more information on Grandfather Mountain, go to http://www.grandfather.com/

For a current view of Grandfather Mountain, check out the High Country Webcam:
http://www.highcountrywebcams.com/webcameras_grandfather.htm

South on the Parkway

A great day on the Parkway! A few sights we passed while driving south to our first stop, Mt. Mitchell:

Linn Cove Viaduct from across the Parkway

And, in a shot difficult to snap due to the sun setting just beside it, the much photographed viaduct from the highway below:

Below, Grandfather Mountain from the Parkway. While driving today, we had the privilege of seeing the old mountain from several different perspectives. I knew Grandfather played a large role in this region, literally and figuratively, but I'm just beginning to learn how significant it is.

You can't drive along the Parkway and not see colorful wildflowers blooming along the road. It's too early for Mountain Ash, so I don't know what these are. The color is rich, and about as red as the Fire Pinks and Bee Balms.