Grandfather Mountain Naturalists Announce 2007 Guide Hike Series

With the promise of warmer weather, plants and animals come alive on Grandfather Mountain and there is no better way to experience the delights of the spring season than with the accompanying expertise of a Grandfather Mountain Naturalist.
 The Naturalist department, which has recently grown to three individuals, will soon start offering its daily summer programs on the Mountain that range from animal workshops to history talks to learning about the nature around the Mile High Swinging Bridge.  But before then, they want to celebrate spring by leading visitors to some of their favorite, more hidden places on the Mountain.
 “What’s great about these hikes is that we are able to unveil neat treasures along the trails that are typically overlooked,” said Naturalist Jesse Pope.
  The first guided hike is a Wildflower Walk at the Profile Trail on Saturday, May 5.  This hike begins at 9:00 a.m. and climbs through a variety of ecological communities that offer access to the greatest variety of spring wildflowers available on Grandfather.  Those interested should meet at the Profile trailhead.  This hike is free with the purchase of a hiking pass or park admission.
 One week later Grandfather will celebrate International Migratory Bird day with a guided bird hike along the Profile Trail led by Audubon biologist Curtis Smalling.  Those interested in this Saturday, May 12 hike should bring their binoculars and meet at the Profile trailhead.  This trip begins at 7:30 a.m. and is free with the purchase of a hiking pass or park admission.
 The weekend of May 19-20 will be Naturalist Weekend at Grandfather Mountain.  Many hikes and nature walks are planned at varying degrees of difficulty.  There will be a guided nature hike on Saturday, May 19 at 8:00 a.m. exploring the high elevation ecosystem.  Then at 11:30 a.m. there will be a guided nature walk around the Woods Walk.
 Curtis Smalling will return to the Mountain for Naturalist Weekend and lead another guided bird hike on the Profile Trail at 7:00 a.m. Sunday, May 20.  That afternoon there will be a guided geology hike to Storyteller’s Rock led by Dr. Loren Raymond of Appalachian State University at 3:30 p.m. and Naturalist Jesse Pope will conduct another wildflower walk on the Profile Trail at 4 p.m.
 All Naturalist Weekend activities are covered in the cost of park admission.  Those planning to return Sunday should keep their receipt from Saturday for a discounted admission price.
  The regular guided hike series will kick back into gear Saturday, May 26 with a Backcountry Excursion.  The Grandfather Mountain Naturalists will lead an all-day guided hike into the backcountry via the Boone Fork hiking trail.  Those participating are asked to meet at the Grandfather Mountain Entrance Gate at 9:00 a.m.  A $10 fee for the excursion includes a hiking permit but not park admission.
 A MacRae Peak Hike will end the series Saturday, June 9.  This 3-hour guided hike will go to MacRae Peak via the Grandfather Trail.  Those participating are asked to meet at the trailhead across the summit parking area from the Mile High Swinging Bridge at 10:00 a.m.  The $16 fee for the hike does include park admission.
 Spaces are limited for both the Backcountry Excursion and the MacRae Peak Hike.  Those wanting to attend these two hikes must make a reservation by calling 733-4326.
The Profile trailhead is located off of NC 105 in Banner Elk, a quarter of a mile north of the intersection of NC 105 and NC 184.  The Grandfather Mountain entrance gate is located on US 221, two miles north of Linville.
For more information about a guided hike or Naturalist Weekend feel free to contact a Grandfather Mountain Naturalist at 733-4326 or naturalist@grandfather.com.