Grandfather Mountain Coverage

Snow falls at Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain is closed to visitors Tuesday, March 14, 2023, due to snow and cold, blustery conditions. Credit: credit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

Brr! With 13 degrees and snow, Grandfather Mountain closes to visitors

Grandfather Mountain is closed due to snow and very cold, blustery conditions.

High winds, bitter cold cancel WRAL Nights of Lights, other outdoor activities

WRAL Nights of Lights, the drive-through holiday lights experience at Raleigh's Dorothea Dix Park, will be canceled on Friday night, Dec. 23, due to wind damage along the route and the forecast for high winds and bitter cold.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

$30M estate with Grandfather Mountain views most expensive home for sale in NC

The most expensive home for sale in North Carolina is a breathtaking mansion in the Blue Ridge mountains.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Grandfather Mountain says weather conditions 'perfect' for bright fall foliage this year

Trees have already started to change colors in parts of western North Carolina -- a sign that fall is officially here. Mountain experts say it's already looking like it's going to be a beautiful year for viewing fall foliage.

Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producer

Grandfather Mountain hosts 'spectacular' firefly show

"It's definitely one of those things that's just spectacular, it's awe-inspiring," said Director of Education and Natural Resources at Grandfather Mountain John Caveny. "I can count on one hand the number of times that I've been held speechless by some occurrence in nature. Seeing the synchronous fireflies here at Grandfather is definitely one of those things."

Synchronous fireflies put on light show for visitors in Grandfather Mountain

Hundreds of people gathered in Grandfather Mountain Saturday night to watch a unique show. It was quiet, except for the hum of excitement from people in the crowd.

Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producer

Asheville, Charlotte, Lake Lure ranked among South's Best by Southern Living magazine

Several North Carolina destinations are being recognized by Southern Living as winners of the magazine's 2022 South's Best Awards.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL Sr. multiplatform producer

Firefighters respond to Christmas Eve fire on Grandfather Mountain

Firefighters were called to a large fire at Grandfather Mountain on Christmas Eve.

Sydney Franklin, WRAL multiplatform producer

7 struck by lightning on Grandfather Mountain

Seven people were struck by lightning on Macrae Peak at Grandfather Mountain on Friday afternoon.

Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producer

TOM EARNHARDT: Measuring time, remembering little things, reflecting on new appreciations

Sunday, March 21, 2021 -- Looking back, we will all recall the separation from others and the use of masks around close friends and even family. ... Reflect on the notes written and received, the courage of our children, the support of a spouse or partner, the warmth of friends, and the kindness of strangers. ... I will remember important people and moments, but I will also savor the unexpected gifts from nature. ... A dazzling sunrise in a winter forest covered with frost and rare Tar Heel orchids on the hottest day of summer. ... Diminutive endangered woodpeckers that showed up just as I packed my camera equipment and swans that finally flew over the moon.

Socially distancing in the NC mountains

Looking to get out and about but stay socially distant? Out & About editor Kathy Hanrahan has a few ideas for places to visit in the North Carolina mountains.

Kathy Hanrahan, Out and About editor

Exploring Grandfather Mountain, Chetola Resort

Out & About editor Kathy Hanrahan has some ideas for socially distanced fun in the mountains. She recently checked out Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain.

TOM EARNHARDT: The patience of Hugh Morton

Sunday, Aug, 16, 2020 -- Hugh Morton solved problems in the same way he took photographs in the natural world. His best images started with a vision and a plan to achieve it. Knowing what he wanted, Morton pursued his objectives with determination, technical expertise, and of course, patience.

GERRY BROOME: To photograph comet Neowise, it takes patience and placement

Saturday, July 25, 2020 -- On a recent weekend, AP photographer Gerry Broome was granted special after-hours access to the iconic peak to accompany North Carolina photographer and amateur astronomer Johnny Horne on a trip to make images of the comet discovered in March.

Sarah Krueger's favorite NC mountain spots

WRAL Durham reporter Sarah Krueger loves the mountains. Find out which places she and her husband love to explore.

Sarah Krueger, WRAL Durham reporter

TOM EARNHARDT: No Silent Spring. Nature's symphony rehearses, we're hunkered down

Saturday, April 11, 2020 -- Millions of North Carolinians and Americans are sheltered-in-place to protect our health and that of our neighbors. Because we cannot travel to the wild places normally available to us, we will not be able to experience fully the voices and instruments of nature's symphony of springtime. For us it may be a time of quiet--a silent spring--but in nature all members of her orchestra and choir are tuning their instruments and raises their voices. Remember those sounds!

Fall Photos 2019

View seasonal North Carolina fall photos.

Rare fireflies blink in unison at Grandfather Mountain

An exciting discovery was made in Grandfather Mountain this year -- a fascinating species of firefly called Photinus carolinus now lives there.

NC State scientist finds 'synchronous' fireflies on Grandfather Mountain

A special type of firefly has been discovered on Grandfather Mountain, according to a blogpost posted on the park's website.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL digital journalist

Grandfather Mountain mourns death of popular blue-eyed cougar

Grandfather Mountain is mourning the loss of Aspen, a blue-eyed Western cougar and longtime resident of the North Carolina nature park.

Grandfather Mountain breaks wind speed record

A wind speed record was set this week at Grandfather Mountain after the area experienced hurricane-force winds, WXII reported. Video of Grandfather Mountain courtesy of Frank Ruggiero with the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

Grandfather Mountain experiences hurricane-force winds, sets new wind speed record

A wind speed record was set this week at Grandfather Mountain after the area experienced hurricane-force winds.

WXII

Record-breaking wind gust recorded at Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain's weather recording station at the Mile High Swinging Bridge registered a record-breaking wind gust early Wednesday morning.

Natalie Matthews, WRAL digital journalist

Grandfather Mountain

Today's photo, taken from nearby Blowing Rock, marks the last in Grandfather Mountain's 2018 Fall Color Gallery. According to Dr. Howie Neufeld, professor of biology at Appalachian State University and WNC's esteemed "Fall Color Guy," peak color may persist this week in the High Country but is expected to have passed by this coming weekend. After that, he noted, colors will all be below 3,000 feet in elevation, meaning they could still be visible from some of the area's higher locales, including Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more Grandfather Mountain fall color photos, or to plan a trip, visit www.grandfather.com. Photo by Skip Sickler (Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation)