Grandfather Mountain -- Mile High Swinging Bridge and MacRea Peak
Map Explore
Photos
Rock overhang on Bridge Trail
Mile High Swinging Bridge from the Far Side
Bolt on the Mile High Swinging Bridge
People on cliffs on far side of Swinging Bridge
Bottom of Mile High Swinging Bridge from Bridge Trail
More flowers in bloom
Hikers on Grandfather Trail
MacRea Peak, fogged in
Flowers blooming
Cable Ascent on Grandfather Trail
Hikers on ladders at Grandfather Trail
Looking out over the Blue Ridge Mountains
Taking a bearing
Rock section of Grandfather Trail near MacRea Peak
MacRea Peak Summit
Ladder to MacRea Peak
Blue Ridge Parkway from MacRea Peak
Clouds, sky at Grandfather Mountain
Blue Ridge Mountains from Grandfather Mountain
Chart (Mouse wheel zooms in)
Story
Short moderate hike to Swinging Bridge followed by crazy-rugged 2.5-mile out-and-back to MacRea peak. Despite short distance, it's a very strenuous outing with multple ladder and cable ascents. Trip write-up at Two-Heel Drive
Be ready for anything at Grandfather Mountain (even bears). Weather can go bad on you very quickly, especially on summer afternoons. Hikers have to park in the Black Rock area and start out from there. Wear your sturdiest boots -- your feet take a beating in light sneakers on all the gnarly stretches of trail.
Be ready for anything at Grandfather Mountain (even bears). Weather can go bad on you very quickly, especially on summer afternoons. Hikers have to park in the Black Rock area and start out from there. Wear your sturdiest boots -- your feet take a beating in light sneakers on all the gnarly stretches of trail.