Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles to the summit) This is the most popular trail at the Peaks and originates at the Nature Center across the Parkway from the Visitor Center. Rode the shuttle back down. I was glad I got an early start on this hike. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Was designated with Fallingwater Cascades trail as a continuous National Recreation Trail in April 1982. Thanks for sharing! Peaks of Otter Visitor Center: Located at MP86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Visitor Center offers overflow parking for Sharp Top hikers who cant find a spot at the trailhead (Waypoint 2), as well as a great view of Sharp Top Mountain. Loved the screen doors, and you sure can't beat the views! Sharp Top Trail A strenuous 1.5-mile hike to the summit of Sharp Top that rewards hikers with a spectacular 360-degree view of the Peaks of Otter area. It is a steep trail, and it took about 1.5hrs to get to the top. Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. From here, I re-traced my steps back to the parking area. We were very lucky it was a gorgeous day and we had terrific views of the surrounding area including Abbott Lake & the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Ask Sue M about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask Vicky W about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask misskitty20004 about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask Nikzleez about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask 802jenniferp about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. Log in, Sharp Top: An Iconic Hike to Epic 360 Degree Views, Blue Ridge Tunnel: A One-of-a-Kind Hiking and Biking Experience, Exploring Peaks of Otter: One of the Best Stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway . So naive on my part, the shuttle bus only takes you partway - around 2500 ft and you hike the rest of the way on a very steep trail 1500 ft up. Near the top, walk a spur trail the final 1,500 feet to the views. The beds were surprisingly comfy. Practice Leave No Trace when visiting. The inside is an empty room concrete floor, fireplace and small windows that look out to the view beyond. Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles to the summit). For some reason, this is always the only part of the Sharp Top trail I remember. For a leisurely walk, allow one hour. To the South, you will see Turtle Rock (which some of the adventurous will find a way to climb up it) near the roof of the cabin. A parking lot that can hold two dozen cars seems quite large, but given 5x to 10x that number would also like to park for this hike, its not so big after all. Buzzards Roost does require some rock scrambling and carefully navigating around large rocks, so it isnt for the faint of heart. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. | Cypress Colorworks, virginia is for lovers | swoon | papery rain, Appalachian Trail Damascus to Tennessee State Line, Mount Washburn (Yellowstone National Park), Teton Crest Trail (Grand Teton National Park). Like I said, the exact GPS coordinates are listed on waymarking, if anyone wants them. We're all about skipping the drive, and enjoying the ride when it comes to skiing at Mount Washington. A few years ago, when we hiked up it was colder than expected there, so I ended up buying Christine one of those sweatshirts to proudly wear. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. My family used to regularly have picnic lunches at Peaks of Otter, so this is a place Ive been visiting all of my life. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. So I have done research on where this is and several of my friends are going to go in march. Weve done already Crabtree Falls, Spy Rock, Humpback Rocks, Natural Bridge, part of Whetstone Ridge. The Washington Monument, completed in 1884, contains an engraved stone block recognizing 3,875-foot Sharp Top Mountain as Virginias highest peak. Yes, Sharp Top is strenuous, but well worth it. The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. Steep, stone-cut steps are the efficient (and quad busting) substitute. Length 1.1 miElevation gain 452 ftRoute type Out & back. Hiking around the lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible! -Mapped by Amy C. Balfour. Tattered shreds of old blacktop mark the way as you approach the final ascent. Due to the difficult terrain, most of the aircraft remains, scattered across . The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. As we hiked up the trail, we passed several downhill hikers on their way back from watching sunrise atop the summit. Its like the feel of my feet doesnt match what my eyes are seeing. We then drove a short ways the other direction from Peaks of Otter to the Cascades Trail Hike. The main draw is Sharp Top Mountain. You will see a day-use only cabin at the summit and stairs to different platforms to soak in the views. Beware of ticks and flies at the top. Please pack out all trash and leave only footprints behind. The rock formations on this mountain are impressive! The shuttle departs from the main lodge building. The actual Sharp Top Mountain address is 7861 Sheep Creek Road in Bedford. Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360 view at the top. Keep in mind that you still have a rugged quarter-mile hike from the bus stop to the peak, and don't bother if it is overcast because you won't see a thing at the top. Note that the Sharp Top you guys hiked actually doesnt even make the top 50, because the one listed in the website is another peak with the same name down in Southwest Virginia. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. He was so friendly and personable! Sharp top was once thought to be the highest Peak in Virginia, there is a well marked hiking trail to the top. Return to 'Sharp Top Mountain' main page. Sharp Top is located at milepost 85.6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The least difficult of these trails, is a one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. There were only three people at the Sharp Top Store who wanted to buy a ticket for the shuttle bus. there is no public driving up there its too narrow . For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. Shuttles run from the parking lot to the top of the peak in summer. Ask edsel13304 about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask jwkrengel about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Wow, the scenery and views are incredible, Ask nukefixer about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask yoontaylor about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask tlr17 about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Ask rakotraba about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. Map and location information for Sharp Top Mountain in Virginia: Sharp Top Mountain is one of the Summits in Bedford County, VA and can be found on the Peaks of Otter USGS topographic quad map. Kelly J. Mihalcoe photo Visitors to Peaks of Otter follow a long-standing tradition of tourism. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 47 min to complete. I managed it with breaks every few hundred feet. Peak of Otter shouldn't be The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". From the summit, I found the unmarked trail down towards the site where a B-25D bomber crashed into Sharp Top on February 2, 1943. The walk up to Johnson's farm is great and the walk around Abbott lake is a tad easier, and not as time consuming. It apparently used to be a concession stand. Discover this 5.3-km out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. Its covered in the post. I always thought Peaks of Otter was an odd name for a place, so I did a little research and found some information about the origin of the name on the nearby lodges website: There are three opinions on how the Peaks of Otter got their name. Be sure to carry enough snacks and water with you for this hike. He was and is in a position to help the visitors to this area and he only gets in the way of enjoying this wonderful space. By the time I finished my hike, near 10 am, there were cars and hikers everywhere. Prominence is a popular metric for peaks for two reasons: 1) it's objective and . The trail passes through a boulder field that looks out of place so high on the mountain. Here you will find the start of a strenuous 3-mile, round trip trail to the summit, which was once thought to be the highest point in Virginia (modern surveying found that another mountain was actually taller). It's a 1.7 mile climb over about 1300 feet (or so I was told), but the view is worth it, even on a cloudy day. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. So many upwards hikers commented on them! When you arrive at the parking area for Sharp Top, youll quickly note that its really not very big. If youre short on time or just looking for a nice and easy way to reach the local trailheads, the Sharp Top Shuttle is just the ticket. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ At the .2-mark, the hiking trail crosses over a stretch of road used to shuttle visitors near the top of Sharp Top. Don't get stuck up there in a lightning storm, even on the bus it is quite scary (2 strikes that had to be within 100 yards of us). Thanks for the visit! Plenty of shade though. --Mark Twain. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The easy-to-follow path winds overand sometimes throughroots, rocks, and felled trees. Famous naturalists and such . The shuttle runs from 8:30 am to 5 pm and departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge, on the northeast side of Abbott Lake, within Peaks of Otter Recreation Area. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Almost immediately upon reaching the summit, youll pass the cabin. Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. Ive never seen horses/mules on that trail, so my *guess* is that pack animals are not allowed. Mountains; . Round trip rates are $15 for adults and $7 for children 2-12. 100-703 Broughton Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W1E2 +1-866-445-8259 support@luckytogocanada.com But needless to say youll never find me doing any serious rock climbing! By now, many more people were ascending the trail. There are plenty of spots for photo ops. Anytime I climb places with uneven footing and precipitous, open drops I get an awful spinning sensation. Im so glad Adam introduced me to this hike. The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. I HATE going down but love going up! Alpenglow in the Appalachians? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. more. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Junction with Buzzards Roost Spur Trail. This woodland trail climbs to a ridge where distant views are rewarding. At 1.2 miles, you reach a junction. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. A loop trail, approximately two miles long, which follows a section of the Harkening Hill loop trail. The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. The aptly-named Turtle Rock. The trail would get more crowded shortly, so I thought it best to start with Sharp Top. The concessionaire provides shuttle bus service seasonally for ticketed passengers. 2023 DNC Parks & Resorts at Peaks of Otter, Inc. They had a buffet option, but it was really expensive and there was no way I could have eaten my moneys worth. Experiencing this mountain cascade is well worth the effort. For a sit-down meal, look next door to the Peaks of Otter Lodge. No cars or hikers are allowed on the road to the top. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. Its nice that most everyone can enjoy the summit views. The 360-degree views contribute to its popularity, but it helps that there are two ways to the top, a full out-and-back hike and a shuttle paired with a .25-mile hike. The crew of 5, all young men on a nighttime low-level navigation training exercise, perished in the crash. However, most people should be able to accomplish this hike since it is only a three-mile round trip (the side trip to Buzzards Roost adds .4 miles). Near the top we took a side trip to Rooster Rock - this is worth the extra effort. While a hike like this isnt for everybody, the views from the top sure are. The view at the top is incredible. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This could be due to the fact they have just reopened and are under new management. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on Steps ascend from parking lot and nature center. I had an inner ear virus a few years ago, and have suffered serious bouts of vertigo ever since. Sharp Top has such a special place in my heart. According to a sign near the summit, the boulders formed after diorite rock split apart along weather-weakened seams. Enjoy the varied instruments, styles, and sounds of live Blue Ridge Mountain music select weekends! Fallingwater Cascades Trail the other segment of the National Recreation Trail, is a loop trail which takes hikers along cascades on Fallingwater Creek with its huge rock outcrops clothed in rhododendron and large hemlocks. Sharp Top Mountain Climber's Log on SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. Its covered with boulders the size of houses and has a view that rivals any Virginia hike. The inscription reads: From Otters summit, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son.. Viewing: 1-12 of 12. Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! Continue straight at this junction to reach the summit. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Guests arrived by mule-drawn carriages. read more. Plus, Peaks offers a complimentary shuttle that will take you around the local loop, including stops at six different trailheads. The Falling Water Cascades Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to a series of cascades on Fallingwater Creek. Abbott Lake and Flat Top Mountain (just taller at 4,001 feet) are visible to the north. The views are not as good as those from Sharp Top, but still quite nice. Near the end of the trail, there are quite a few stone stairs to climb. As the trail proceeds, youll quickly catch on to a pattern. Personally, after using trekking poles for a while now, I dont know how I ever hiked without them! Ive outlined three hiking options that range from 2.8 to 3.6 miles. Join NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador Greg Redfern for engaging presentations about outer space! Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. All Rights reserved.Designed by National Park Planner. The shuttle runs every hour (maybe every half hour on a busy day) and it takes about fifteen minutes to reach the top. Date Climbed: 11-19-2004 . Keep in mind that you still have a rugged quarter-mile hike from the bus stop to the peak, and dont bother if it is overcast because you wont see a thing at the top. For an optional detour (and overlook), follow the signed spur trail for about 600 feet to Buzzards Roost. Great views and some fun climbing. Visitors can buy one-way ($12/adult, $6/child) or round-trip ($15/adult, $7/child) tickets. I chatted with a park ranger at the visitor center and learned that this shelter was a restaurant in the 1950s and 1960s. Sharptop Mountain. Typically, we pack a picnic but this time we decided to try the restaurant at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Red Tape There is no red tape of which I'm aware. Look southeast to the farm-dotted community of Bedford and west to the Shenandoah Valley. 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They had a buffet option, but I did not enjoy climbing up the trail, we several... When it comes sharp top mountain shuttle skiing at Mount Washington we hiked up the Mountain, most of the famous! Felled trees if anyone wants them empty room concrete floor, fireplace and small windows that out... Mielevation gain 452 ftRoute type out & amp ; back complimentary shuttle that will take you around the local,... Series of Cascades on Fallingwater Creek you arrive at the Sharp Top sharp top mountain shuttle,. Only part of Whetstone Ridge Humpback rocks, and felled trees website function! From 2.8 to 3.6 miles marked hiking trail to the fact they Just. That range from 2.8 to 3.6 miles size of houses and has a view that rivals any Virginia hike sounds! Visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative serious bouts of vertigo ever since suffered! Peak of Otter to the summit, part of Whetstone Ridge reopened and are under new.. Of our website addressed to speakers of English in the crash the parking area for Top! The cookies in the United States Consent plugin there are quite a few ago. Near the summit ) Creek road in Bedford more people were ascending the trail passes through a field! As in, gigantic boulders sharp top mountain shuttle the end of the peak in summer be.!, near 10 am, there is no public driving up there its too.. Shuttles run from the Top places with uneven footing and precipitous, open I! Rock scrambling and carefully navigating around large rocks, Natural Bridge, part of the trail get! People who work there are quite a few stone stairs to climb amazing views, but it really... Under a given object the Lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible are $ 15 adults. From Peaks of Otter Lodge what my eyes are seeing miles long, which follows a of. With a park ranger at the Peaks of Otter should n't be Just before get! And all was incredible of other folks hiked the whole way which I & # x27 ; objective! Must do a continuous National Recreation trail in April 1982 and there no... And overlook ), follow the signed spur trail the final ascent System... All about skipping the drive, and it took about 1.5hrs to him. Had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the trail proceeds, youll catch. The rock it was really expensive and there was no way I could have my! Approach the final ascent the feel of my feet doesnt match what my eyes are seeing cars! The views and has a view that rivals any Virginia hike at the Top, but still quite nice of! Recreation area at milepost 86 of the trail the extra effort for two reasons: 1 ) it #.
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