While in most parts of the South, autumn solely means a slightly cooler weather change, in the Boone area, it also means we are nearing the season for winter activities on the nearby ski mountains!
On many of the ski resorts, they offer more than just skiing, for instance on Sugar Mountain, they offer snowshoe guided tours. Starting on December 1, tours are offered every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3pm. And on Saturday at 9am and 3pm. There is both an adults and children’s tour for those between the ages of 8-11. The tours are 1 hour.
Grandfather Mountain is most well known for its mile high swinging bridge which provides a wonderful view of the surrounding mountainside. The bridge is not the only place to get great views however, there are plenty of other trails that you can take to see other perspectives!
Grandfather Mountain offers a wide array of types of trails such as calm strolls through the forests. There are also more demanding trails which require cables and ladders, the views though are quite spectacular . An example of the trail offerings is Nuwati Trail. A 1.2 mile trail through an old logging road. An easy but somewhat rocky trail, the path will take you through strands of Bigtooth Aspen trees, a stream, and ends with a view of the Boone Bowl.
Another example is the Daniel Boone Scout Trail is a 3 mile trail which starts at the Tanawha Trail and ascends 2,000 feet to the summit of Calloway Peak which is the highest point in the Blue Ridge Escarpment. It is a strenuous trail with in-place ladders and cables to help through particularly steep areas.
Hopefully this is the only bear you’ll encounter along a trail!
There’s more to do on Grandfather Mountain than hike the trails. One of the most enjoyable activities on Grandfather Mountain is visiting the environmental habitats. Environmental habitats are large enclosures built around the natural habitat which enable visitors to view animals in natural settings.Β
One of the most impressive animals found in one of the habitats, and all throughout the mountain, are black bears.
Black bears are the smallest, and most common bears in North America. They have better sight and hearing than humans. And their sense of smell is seven times greater than that of a dog.
Their diet primarily consists of various kinds of vegetation. Their animal diet normally consists of Β insects such as birds and ants. They do in fact like to eat honey. On the pacific coast where salmon are abundant, they will fish for them at night as the salmon are able to see them otherwise.
Enjoyably onΒ Grandfather Mountain, there is a wildlife habitat just for Black Bears so you can view them safely in their natural environment.Β So next time you’re visiting Grandfather Mountain take some time to visit the bear habitat!
