Morton and his mountain
I never met Hugh Morton, but if you could know the man by his mountain, we were well acquainted.
Morton inherited one of North Carolina's most spectacular pieces of real estate and turned it into an attraction that preserved its awesome beauty but allowed relatively easy access to everyone.
Grandfather Mountain pulled me back time and again. I competed in Highland Games track meets at McCrae Meadows 30-plus years ago, hiked up and over the peaks and proudly brought friends and relatives visiting North Carolina to the roof of the Blue Ridge.
Morton's nature center and wildlife habitats, the mile-high swinging bridge, picnic areas -- where you could pick blackberries in season -- all made it the perfect family experience to spend a long summer day at Grandfather Mountain.
I love the network of trails laid out across the mountain. They're challenging and rough, but also fitted with ladders and guide lines to get you up cliffs. Sure, purists might decry these accessories, but the point was to improve safety and create opportunities for more people to take in the magnificent views that open up around every bend in the path.
Besides, nature always dominates the high country. It's a mighty force on Grandfather Mountain, where the wind blows as hard as an incredible 200 mph.
It's a different world up there. I remember one November day, sunny and about 65 degrees down in Hickory, when we drove up to the Grandfather Mountain visitors center and stepped out to 35-degree temperatures, wind gusting to 70 and banks of fog barreling across the ridges like truck convoys racing down the highway.
Morton not only loved Grandfather Mountain, he let countless others share the romance. I hope his heirs will always maintain it just as he did.
Comments (3)
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Weather sure was different on top of Grandfather as you said Doug. August of 1956 or 1957. We were returning from Flordia vacation and decided to stop at Grandfather before heading across the mountains to Tennessee. I believe it was in the high 70's when we started the ascent. When we arrived at the parking lot atop Grandfather, we stepped out into blowing snow, fog and wind that cut to the bone. We were certainly dress appropriately for the summer time weather in the valley but shorts, short sleeve shirts and tennis shoes were certainly not the uniform of the day for Grandfather. We basked in the warmth of the welcome center with the other shivering tourist, and watched as the weather developed across the rugged landscape of Grandfather. Certainly a trip one could not forget.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane Doug. Grandfather certainly holds lots of memories for many of us who made that a vacation destination or just a day trip for a picnic with family and friends. I haven't been to the top in several years. After reading this , I believe I will make plans to go to the mountain this summer. It would be a great time to thank the one who created the mountain and to pay homage to the man who spent his live preserving this creation.
Posted on June 2, 2006 8:45 AM
Thanks for your story, mrp. I also would like to get up to Grandfather sometime this summer or fall. I've had some great times up there.
Posted on June 2, 2006 11:04 AM
I use to go to the Highland Fling but it has gotten so crowded it is no longer fun. It is about the same way with the Singing on the Mountain as well. Can remember a few years when living close enough that I could attend at least one of those functions. Mom and Dad usually went to the Singing and to the Games as well. They really enjoyed the mountain with their friends.
Posted on June 2, 2006 7:05 PM