Grandfather Mountain State Park Hike Route Map

The approximate track of my hike along the Grandfather and Underwood Trails, at Grandfather Mountain State Park, as depicted a la Google Earth...

Grandfather Mountain State Park Hike Route Map

The approximate track of my hike along the Grandfather and Underwood Trails, at Grandfather Mountain State Park...

McRae Peak (5939')

Looking up to McRae Peak from "The Patio" not far from the Swinging Bridge parking area. The trail pretty much climbs straight up it.

McRae Peak (5939')

Looking up to McRae Peak from "The Patio" not far from the Swinging Bridge parking area. This is a wide-angle view from the same spot as the previous photo.

As the trail nears the base of McRae Peak it gets increasingly rough.

It's a bit of a tight squeeze to access the first ladder up McRae.

Tynecastle View

Exposed Ladders

Looking over my shoulder back to Linville Peak(5295').

Looking west to Sugar Mountian from one of the high ladders on McRae Peak.

Looking south at the top of the last ladder on McRae Peak.

As you can see anyone who is bothered by heights could get a little nervous here.

Looking back along the ridge to Linville Peak(5295'). The Swinging Bridge parking area and visitors center can just be seen between the peaks.

The Rugged Ridge

Looking north along the ridge as the Grandfather Trail approches McRae Peak.

A close-up shot of one of the ladders to the north, on Attic Window Peak.

Looking north to Attic Window Peak from the summit of McRae. You can see people carefully making their way down "The Chute" which I would be climbing next.

The perched rock that marks the summit of McRae Peak stands to the right. Attic Window Peak(5949') is in the distance to the left.

A dark shot of the ladder you havOne of two benchmarks on McRae. I'm unsure why there are two. They are even dated the same.e to climb to get atop the boulder that is the summit of McRae.

McRae Peak Summit - 5,929'

McRae Peak Summit - 5,929'

One of two benchmarks on McRae Peak. I'm not sure why there are two as they both have the same date.

McRae Peak Summit - 5,929'

The second of two benchmarks on McRae Peak. I'm not sure why there are two as they both have the same date.

McRae Peak Summit - 5,929'

Looking west to Sugar Mountain from the summit of McRae Peak.

McRae Peak Summit - 5,929'

The knife-edge ridge that extends to the north from the summit of McRae Peak.

McRae Peak Summit - 5,929'

The Blue Ridge parkway can be seen beneath the approaching clouds. An east wind kept it cloudy to the east while the west was bright and sunny.

McRae Peak Summit - 5,929'

Looking down over 2000' to the green canopy of Pisgah National Forest.

McRae Peak Summit - 5,929'

The been-there-done-that pic of myself atop McRae Peak. Attic Window Peak(5949') rises behind me.

Climbing down off the summit boulder of McRae you pass this interesting view between the cliffs.

Looking up at Attic Window Peak(5949') from McRae Gap.

Entering the Subway

The trail as it passes through "The Subway" near Attic Window Peak.

Yet another interesting feature as you climb Attic Window Peak is "The Chute." The trail makes its way up a steep slide between two towering cliffs.

Looking back over my shoulder, as I climbed The Chute, I snapped this shot of McRae Peak(5929').

Looking up from The Chute at a large overhanging cliff.

I needed a break at the top of The Chute so I sucked down some water and snapped a photo looking down. It doesn't do justice to how steep it really is.

Attic Window Backcountry Campsite

Attic Window Peak Summit - 5,949'

Looking north along the ridge from Attic Window Peak(5949').

Attic Window Peak Summit - 5,949'

Looking over the Banner Elk area from the top of Attic Window. Beech Mountain is the distant mountain in the center. The shopping centers at the intersection of Higways 105 & 184 are also visible.

Attic Window Peak Summit - 5,949'

Continuing north from Attic Window Peak the Grandfather Trail frequently follows the open edge of the ridge. This view looks north to my next target, Calloway Peak(5964').

Attic Window Peak Summit - 5,949'

Just in case you were thinking of going straight, a well-placed arrow points you in the right direction.

Looking back along the cliffs of Attic Window Peak.

The Blue Ridge parkway winds its way around Grandfather Mountain 1000' below.

Alpine Meadow Backcountry Campsite

The trail north of Attic Window Peak is very nice with lots of great views.

Looking up at Calloway Peak(5964'), highest of Grandfathers' peaks, as I descend to Calloway Gap.

Calloway Gap Backcountry Campsite

A panoramic shot from just above Calloway Gap looking north. Calloway Peak is on the right with the community of Foscoe far below.