GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Staff at Grandfather Mountain say this summer is one for the record books.

People from all over the state are hiking up the mountain to beat the heat. Carolina Gonzalez is staying with a friend in Charlotte for the summer. She recently took up hiking and is taking in as many trails as she can. 

What You Need To Know

  • More people are heading up the mountain to Grandfather Mountain to escape the heat

  • They have recorded a record high of 83 on the bridge twice since 1955

  • The average high on the bridge in August is 68

"You can breath. It's a lot more cooler. ... even put on like a light sweater or something," Gonzalez said, describing how she sought sanctuary from the soaring summer temperatures on the mountain. 

She is one of many tourists in the area that slipped away to cooler weather and made the two-hour drive to Grandfather Mountain. 

"It does not feel like we're in the middle of the summer," Gonzalez said. 

Due to the high altitude, Grandfather Mountain attracts thousands of visitors during the summer, hoping to find some relief from the blazing sun. They head to the swinging bridge, known to be one of the coolest places in the state at almost 6,000 feet above sea level. 

Marketing and Communications Assistant Vice President Landis Taylor said Gonzalez's story isn't unique. It's a story they hear a lot during the summer months. 

"We're definitely always measuring the wind up here because we have strong winds," Taylor said. 

Taylor said since 1955, they have recorded a record high of 83 degrees on the bridge twice. Taylor says their average temperature in July is in the upper 60s. She said their average high in August is around 68 degrees.