Grandfather Mountain

… at junction of Avery, Caldwell, and Watauga Counties. Alt. 5,964. Tourist attraction formerly owned by Morton family and sold to state in 2008. "Mile High Swinging Bridge" connects two peaks. Annual "Singing on the Mountain" and "Gathering of the Scottish Clans" are held. Named for the fact that, when viewed from a distance, the outline of the mountain against the sky suggests the profile of an old man. Highest point in the Blue Ridge. Called Tanawha by the Cherokee Indians, meaning "a fabulous hawk or eagle."