April At Grandfather Mountain Brings Dollar Days To North Carolina High Country Citizens

All those that work and reside in the six High Country counties, along with their accompanied guests, are invited to visit Grandfather Mountain for $1 during the month of April with proof of local employment or residency. 
  The special April Dollar Days $1 admission is offered to residents and those working in the six counties represented by the NC High Country Host regional travel promotion organization:  Mitchell, Avery, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, and Wilkes.  The discount is also extended to students of colleges and universities in the High Country and to guests traveling in the same vehicle with those eligible for the April discount.  Please present a drivers’ license, college ID, or local utility bill as proof of High Country residency.  An employee identification badge or pay stub can be used to show employment at a High Country business.
“Grandfather Mountain is blessed with wonderful goodwill from its neighbors and Dollar Days is one small way we like to express our appreciation,” said Mountain President Crae Morton, “It really starts to get pretty on the Mountain in April and we take pleasure in having local residents enjoy Grandfather Mountain as the leaves and the flowers are returning.”
Many regular visitors believe that April is a great time to visit Grandfather to enjoy the initial signs of warmer weather.  The first wildflowers have just been spotted on the Mountain’s Profile Trail and thousands more are on their way.
The bears in the Wildlife Habitats have emerged but could possibly be in and out of their dens if cold weather comes along.  There will not be any bear cubs this year because Grandfather Mountain is no longer breeding bears.  The Mountain obtained its first bear, Mildred, as part of an effort to release bears into the wild to help repopulate the area.  Over time the number of bears in the wild has increased to the point that some are becoming nuisance animals.  Grandfather Mountain decided to stop breeding bears so the company does not contribute to this growing problem.
The habitat traditionally occupied by bear cubs will open up in April with adult bears.  This will provide visitors with a second viewing area for the black bears.  Five other animal habitats contain cougars, river otters, a bald eagle, a golden eagle and white-tailed deer that can be photographed from close range in their natural surroundings.
This season of the year also provides a great opportunity to pick up some food from Mildred’s Grill, located in the Nature Museum, and take it to one of the Mountain’s 100 picnic tables.
Another good way to get some fresh air during a visit to Grandfather is to walk on the Bridge Trail.  The four-tenths-mile path makes a gradual climb from the Hikers' parking area to the Visitor Center, traversing through rhododendron thickets and past massive rock formations before crossing under the Mile High Swinging Bridge.
Also departing the Hikers’ Parking Area is the Black Rock Nature Trail that runs out a mile and back through northern hardwood and spruce forests.  This trail is marked with interpretive signs that give hikers a better idea of the significance of the nature around them.
People looking for a greater outdoor challenge can hike across the high peaks on the Grandfather Trail.  Surveys show that visitors to the mountain who choose to venture out across the ridge tops on the Grandfather Trail report that the hike was the highlight of their visit! 
The $1 admission price also extends to the trails, with permit outlets selling hiking permits to High Country residents and workers for $1 in April.  Hikers are encouraged to take care on Grandfather’s rugged ridge trails and to be prepared for severe weather changes before setting out.
The Mountain will be open every day in April, weather permitting. The hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with ticket sales ending at 5 p.m.  For current conditions, phone the Entrance gate at 828-733-4337.