Grandfather Mountain

Attic Window and McRae Peaks

Another of the great mountains of the east along with Mitchell, Washington and Katahdin.  The main route requires a class 3 scramble with a bit of exposure.  This is quite unusual for a mountain this far south.  The southern Appalachians are some of the oldest mountains in the world and are rounded quite gently.

Grandfather Mountain is located in a private park.  A $20 dollar fee gets you in.  This is not a Chris Hiker kind of park with its 5 pm cut off time for the use of trails.  I arrived at 2:30 pm and started my ascent at 2:45 pm.  With 2.5 miles to the summit, I would be pressed for time.

Chris Hiker is not a fan of time restrictions

I'm in good company

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you get a glimpse of Grandfather's ruggedness.  It's two lower peaks, McRae and Attic Window (great name), are where the action is.  Class 3 scrambling with a bit of exposure and some aid from cables and ladders gets one up and over these splendid, rocky pinnacles.

McRae Peak

One of many ladders along the way

Steep and rocky

The suspension bridge near the parking area

Table Rock

Mt Mitchell and the Black Mts

A ladder on the undercliff trail which I would use on the way back

Attic Window Peak

Once past these two impressive peaks, the walk is through a beautiful pine forest.  Upon reaching the summit area, the going gets a little tougher with a slight bit of scrambling.  The main summit has some nice views, but its anti climactic compared to McRae and Attic Window.  I reached the summit at 4pm and made it back to my car a little after 5 pm.  There were still quite a bit of people behind me, so I guess it's often that many don't obey the rules or just completely misjudge their pace.

Calloway Peak which happens to be the summit

Attic Window Peak under a late afternoon sun