What are some of the physical characteristics of the southern grasslands region?

Grandfather Mountain rises more than 4,000 feet (1,219 m) above the Catawba River Valley, and due to the considerable elevation gain the mountain boasts 16 distinct ecological communities. It has been reported that grandfather mountain has experienced some of the "highest surface wind speeds ever recorded," with unverified speeds in excess of 200 mph (320 km/h). More recently, Grandfather Mountain has upgraded their wind equipment in order to help resolve controversy over these high wind recordings. Wind readings from the new equipment have been considerably less. [1] (Mount Washington in New Hampshire holds the record for the highest surface wind speed, at 231 MPH.) 

Two rivers originate at Grandfather Mountain, the Linville River, flowing east, and the Watauga River, which flows west. Many other streams also originate on the slopes of Grandfather. 

On top of Grandfather Mountain, like many mountain peaks above 5000' in North Carolina, grows an "island" of Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest. Though the forest was largely devastated during the 20th century by the introduction of the non-native balsam wooly adelgid, a remnant of this biome still exists on Grandfather Mountain.