Seeds Field trip- NEW DATE 5/21 @11AM, Grandfather Mountain (Guided Tour, Bridge Walk, & Trail Hike)

Date – Time

May 21, 2019 – 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Location

Grandfather Mountain
2050 Blowing Rock Highway
Linville, NC 28646 US
We must meet at one time to pick up tickets at front gate - then drive in together. https://grandfather.com/plan-your-visit/getting-here/

The street address is: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646. The GPS coordinates are 36.08502N, -81.84646W.

The road to the summit is referred to as Grandfather Mountain Entrance Road, Linville, NC.

We recommend against relying on a navigation system or other form of computer generated directions. Computers are machines that do not get car sick traveling curvy roads. Their software programs do not always recommend the quickest, simplest and most-traveled routes. They frequently default to the shortest mileage between two points, often sending drivers through remote areas over very narrow country roads.

Please read the directions listed below for the route that a real human being recommends to get from there to here. We want you to have a good experience at Grandfather Mountain, and that starts by having a good trip to our front door.

LOST? Call Grandfather Mountain at (828) 733-4337

Additional Information

JOIN SEEDS of Promise Families @ Grandfather Mountain in the SPRING!! Lots to do: https://grandfather.com/things-to-do/'

Spring is in the AIR!!!  THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PARK  & EDUCATIONAL Event - BRIDGE walk is NOT REQUIRED or even necissary to enjoy this park - for those who do not like HEIGHTS!

SCHEDULE:

•   Meet at front entrance @ 11-11:15 - Must enter as a group, please arrive on-time/early and wait (cell 704-650-6685) if any issues 
•   Lunch (Bring Picnic) - 11:30
•   Followed by Guided Habitat Tour @12:30 (guided tour guide from staff) at Museam Grounds
•   Bridge Walk(for the Brave) followed by trail hike (all ages)  - guided by Amy Heddleson
•   Hike - guided by Amy Heddleson 1:30-3:00 or until folks want to leave,  The hike is very EASY/flat (not on the mtn/ledge, or bridge) but fun for exploring in the woods.  The hike has some fun surprises along the way (low intensity and low risk - but cool factor is pretty high).  I found it accidentally when there last time - while walking with Tracy Ballard and your littles.

ALL AGES: I Highly encourage all ages to attend - I can take older kids across bridge if parents do not want to go.

Price: Adults $14, kids $7, and under 3 are free 

We need 20 kids and 10 adults minimum for this field trip.

CLOTHING: Please make sure to dresses appropriately for Grandfather Mountain weather. Rubber-soled shoes are a must. Dressing in layers is also advised as the weather is typically cooler and windier on the Mountain. Temperatures could vary as much as 10 degrees cooler vs.weather forecasts.  Sun Screen/Bug Spray/Water Bottles

LUNCH: Bring a Picnic lunch 

HOW to Pay:

· HOW TO PAY FOR TRIPS:

Please pay in advance if required

1.Cash (in-person, labeled envelope or with a note) - envelopes available at check in during Co-op

2.Check (Amy Heddleson, 251 Countrytyme Lane, Iron Station, NC 28080) - envelopes available at check in during Co-op

3.Pay pal to my "pay a friend" link, to alonddn@msn.com . There are no FEES if you use the "pay a friend" option.

4. Venmo - www.venmo.com/Amy-Heddleson

5. Zelle - alonddn@msn.com or my cell 704-650-6685

NOTE: Please specify which field trip you and your family name in the notes if you pay via paypal or check.

DIRECTIONS:

For tailored driving directions, click here to visit Google maps.

The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is located on U.S. 221, two miles north of Linville, North Carolina, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 305.

The street address is: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646. The GPS coordinates are 36.08502N, -81.84646W.  The road to the summit is referred to as Grandfather Mountain Entrance Road, Linville, NC.

We recommend against relying on a navigation system or other form of computer generated directions. Computers are machines that do not get car sick traveling curvy roads. Their software programs do not always recommend the quickest, simplest and most-traveled routes. They frequently default to the shortest mileage between two points, often sending drivers through remote areas over very narrow country roads.

Please read the directions listed below for the route that a real human beingrecommends to get from there to here. We want you to have a good experience at Grandfather Mountain, and that starts by having a good trip to our front door.

70 mi. from Asheville, NC:

The Blue Ridge Parkway links Grandfather at Milepost 305 with Asheville at Milepost 382. Plan on a 2.5 to 3 hour drive if you take the Parkway.

The fastest route is to take I-40 East to Marion, NC. Take Exit #85. Turn left at the bottom of the ramp and go one mile to a stoplight. At the stoplight turn left and follow US 221 North to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain (about 30 miles).

Printable Map and Directions from Asheville

106 mi. from Charlotte, NC:

Starting on the South Side of Charlotte: Take I-85 South to Gastonia, NC. Pick up US 321 North to Hickory. There you can take US 321 on to Blowing Rock (Exit 123 B) or take I-40 West to Morganton (Exit 105).

Starting on the North Side of Charlotte: Take I-77 North to Statesville. Pick up I-40 West to Hickory – or continue on I-40 West to Morganton.

If you’d like to travel through Blowing Rock: From I-40 take Exit 123 B, take US 321 North from Hickory to Blowing Rock.  Take the Blue Ridge Parkway South to the US 221 intersection at Milepost 305. Take US 221 South 1 mile to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.

To come directly to Grandfather Mountain: TakeI-40 West from Hickory to Exit 105 at Morganton. Take NC 181 North 34 miles to Linville, NC. Take US 221 2 miles from Linville to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.

Printable Map and Directions from Charlotte

55 mi. from Hickory, NC:

From I-40 Exit 123 B, take US 321 North to Blowing Rock, NC. Take the Blue Ridge Parkway south 14 miles to the US 221 intersection at milepost 305 (less than a mile after you cross the Linn Cove Viaduct). Take US 221 South 1 mile to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.

Printable Map and Directions from Hickory

36 mi. from Morganton, NC:

Take NC 181 (I-40 Exit #105) North 34 miles to Linville, NC. Take US 221 2 miles from Linville to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.