Grandfather Mountain is always an adventure and yesterday’s hike did not disappoint us. The last time we were on the mountain was in 2002 for a never-to-be forgotten rainy, foggy backpack. Weather forecasts for yesterday indicated partly cloudy skies but this mountain clearly has a mind of it’s own. Once again we found ourselves hiking in heavy fog with visibility as low as 50% at times. Gee…at least it wasn’t raining.
We had 4 people sign on for the hike including John and me. No one was interested in driving including me, but, as trip leader I had no choice. Without a second car for a shuttle we changed our plans to hike only as far as Calloway Peak (5964″, the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway). Our route would be out and back on Grandfather Trail.
We started hiking uphill immediately out of the Visitors Center parking lot. Our hike to the peak covered only 2.4-miles (one way) and took us 3 challenging hours to complete. In our path were numerous obstacles including several sets of ladders, a rock wall called “The Chute:, the narrows and several other peaks and meadows. Unfortunately, the spectacular views from Grandfather Mountain were mostly lost in a sea of fog with only occasional glimpses of the mountains and valleys beyond.
Nan Woodbury, a regular hiker with the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, joined our hike for a change of hiking venue. She fell in love with the western North Carolina Mountains as do most people who have spent much of their hiking career in the Smokies. The North Carolina mountain trails tend to be unforgiving with their demanding rock step-ups, fewer switchbacks and rugged terrain. And did we mention the incredible views (in clear conditions)? Jim Niemeyer, an occasional hiker with SC, also hiked with us. He seemed to have a great time too.
Our return hike took under three hours since much of the distance was downhill. Roundtrip driving time to and from the mountain was 6 hours, almost breaking the rule of “not driving longer than you hike”…
Fog and the mountain
John climbing Grandfather Mountain
The Narrows, Nan and Jim
John ladder climbing to Calloway Peak
Calloway Peak, from back to front: John, Nan and Jim
Clouds obscure the incredible scenery
