Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain -- visible from Knob Hill's front deck, this is one of our favorite places to visit for both the kids and adults. A 20 - 25 minute drive from Knob Hill and open all year, Grandfather Mountain is one of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge with 360 degree views, Mile High Swinging Bridge, and lots of hiking. While geologists believe that Grandfather Mountain was formed about 300 million years ago, some of the rock formations on Grandfather Mountain are even older than the mountain itself, dating back 1.1 billion years. It was named "Grandfather" by pioneers who recognized the face of an old man in one of the cliffs. Bring a picnic (they also have a cafe and fudge shop) and enjoy lunch at one of the overlooks. Visiting Grandfather Mountain usually involves a few hours of exploring and taking in the views. In 2009, Grandfather Mountain, Inc. sold 2,700 acres of the backcounty to the state of North Carolina for the Grandfather Mountain State Park. Grandfather Mountain State Park contains some of the South's most rugged and spectacular hiking trails. We haven't tried these trials yet; a future adventure -- but we have enjoyed some of the easier trails around the swinging bridge. |
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