August 28, 2008

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News Releases

Registration Open for Race to the Rock

Once again, runners and cyclists can “Race to the Rock” at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. The 5K run and 7K cycling time trail are set for Sunday, September 7 at 8am. Both events are part of the 4th Annual Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad and professionally managed by Race Day Events.

Chimney Rock Mystery Solved!

CHIMNEY ROCK — The Chimney Rock Park mystery has been solved.

A century after Joseph Pinkney Hardin took his family to Chimney Rock Park in a covered wagon, the initials he chiseled on top of the rock were noticed by a curious 15-year- old West Chester, Pa. teenager, James Paul (Jay) Herrmann last Thursday while visiting with his family.
Jay was elated that the initials were the same as his and, at first glance, assumed someone had chiseled the initials in the rock recently because the date “ 7-17- 08” was chiseled next the initials.

NATURE CONSERVANCY ADDS TO HICKORY NUT GORGE MOSAIC

Acquisition helps to preserve signature view from Chimney Rock

LAKE LURE, NORTH CAROLINA – The Nature Conservancy is working to fill in the gaps to protect Hickory Nut Gorge, recently acquiring five important tracts that will be transferred to the state parks system as additions to Chimney Rock State Park.

Cliff Trails at Chimney Rock State Park Closed

Raleigh - Portions of a cliff-side trail system at Chimney Rock State Park have been closed as a result of an ongoing trails and facilities assessment, according to the NC Division of Parks and Recreation.

Chimney Rock Offers Family Value Pass

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, located just 25 miles southeast of Asheville, NC, is offering a family pass for summer travelers.

Chimney Rock Park Hosts Shutterbugs Nature Photography Workshop

Chimney Rock Park's towering waterfall, delicate wildflowers and unique rock formations are the perfect backdrop for stunning photographs. On Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, join noted photographer Les Saucier for the in-depth Shutterbugs Nature Photography Workshop at the Park.

4th Annual Bark in the Park set for Saturday, April 26

You and your pup and in for a doggone good time at the 4th Annual Bark in the Park at Chimney Rock Park on Saturday, April 26 from 11am – 3pm. The event features everything canine, from agility and search and rescue demonstrations to animal rescue organizations, contests and a scavenger hunt.

Chimney Rock Park Hosts 53rd Easter Sunrise Service

It’s tough to inspire people to get out of bed in the dark of night, but those who have witnessed the sun rising over Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure know that Chimney Rock Park’s Easter Sunrise Service is the place to be on Easter Sunday. For 53 years, the Park has opened its gates to the community for a non-denominational worship filled with scripture and song. This year’s service takes place Sunday, March 23 beneath 535-million year old Chimney Rock, the monolith for which the Park is named. Park gates will be open from 5:30-6:30am for the 7am service. There is no admission charge and guests are welcome to stay and enjoy the Park for the day.

GRADY THE GROUNDHOG MAKES A LIVE APPEARANCE AT CHIMNEY ROCK PARK

Chimney Rock Park’s mascot, Grady the Groundhog, will host a Groundhog Day celebration on Saturday, February 2. Grady, our region’s very own Punxsutawney Phil, will make his weather prediction at 10am. If he sees his shadow, that means we’ve got six more weeks of winter, but if not, that means spring is just around the corner.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH GUIDED HIKE SERIES KICKS OF AT CHIMNEY ROCK PARK

Get off the beaten path with a series of guided hikes at Chimney Rock Park. Each month, a Park naturalist takes guests exploring the Park’s unique habitats, studying the many varieties of trees or rock hopping along ravines.

Park Trailwalker Completes Appalachian Trail

Chimney Rock Park Trailwalker Ben Finsel recently completed the ultimate trail walk - thru-hiking the 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail. And, he did it solo.

Ben set off from Springer Mountain in Georgia on April 1 and hiked his way through 14 states completing the trek by summiting Mt. Katahdin in Maine on August 29. He walked an average of about 15 miles each day for five months.

State of NC and Chimney Rock Park Celebrate Land Acquisition

State officials, community leaders and Park associates celebrated the acquisition of Chimney Rock Park in to the North Carolina State Parks System on Sunday, September 23 at the Park.

Chimney Rock Park Featured on Good Morning America

Chimney Rock Park and Lake Lure were featured on Good Morning America’s Weekend Edition on Sunday, July 29. The segment, called “Weekend Window,” showcases areas of the country with spectacular natural beauty.

Chimney Rock Park President Todd Morse Receives Cecil Leadership Award

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce recently awarded Chimney Rock Park President Todd Morse its top honor in the tourism industry, the William A. V. Cecil Leadership Award. The award recognizes one outstanding senior management-level individual in hospitality for exceptional leadership and a positive impact on the industry and community.

Chimney Rock Park Announces Staff Additions

Chimney Rock Park announces the addition of two new associates to its team. Will Crook joins the Park as controller and Tom Ball is the Park's new Retail and Food & Beverage Manager.

Chimney Rock Park and State of North Carolina Close on Purchase of Park

On May 21, the sale of Chimney Rock Park to the State of North Carolina became official when Governor Mike Easley and Park President Todd Morse closed on the purchase of the Park.

Improvements Made to Peregrine Falcon Nest

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), with the assistance of Fox Mountain Guides, recently made improvements to the peregrine falcon nest at Chimney Rock Park.

Chimney Rock a Park's Keystone

Charlotte Observer story about the state of North Carolina's purchase of Chimney Rock Park and how it will fit in to the state parks system.

President Todd Morse's Statement Regarding the Sale of the Park

On Monday, January 29, Park President Todd Morse held a joint news conference with NC Governor Mike Easley to announce that an agreement had been reached for the State of North Carolina to purchase the Park from Chimney Rock Company.

Chairman of the Board Lucius B. Morse's Statement Regarding the Sale of the Park

News Release from NC Governor Mike Easley Regarding the Sale of the Park

Fact Sheet Regarding the Sale of the Park

One random visit to Chimney Rock Park led to Her "perfect wedding day location"

When Kyla See heard her co-worker talking about how beautiful Chimney Rock Park is and how she "really should go there for a visit," little did Kyla know it would eventually become the blessed location for her one of a kind wedding day. Long before she even met her future fiancé, Bobby, Kyla and a friend took that co-worker's advice and headed out for a visit.

This 8th grader really loves CRP!

Chimney Rock, NC - Some people really like this Park, and then others like it so much they create a homage to it out of wadded up newspaper and plaster.

That's exactly what 8th grader Meredith Hadley of Graham, NC did when her history teacher challenged the class to study one NC county during the year.

Steadily high gas prices and an uncertain economy will make day trips and regional travel this fall an appealing option

Amazing fall color expected in the Gorge this fall

Chimney Rock, NC, - The northern forests of New England and the Midwest may be getting most of the fall-foliage buzz right now, but anyone who has ever seen the vibrant show of the Blue Ridge Mountains knows, that come mid October, few places are more inviting than the complex, wrinkled topography around Western North Carolina.