Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. For the full Sharp Top hike (3.3 miles, out-and-back), the trail begins with a dozen stone steps right. It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This could be due to the fact they have just reopened and are under new management. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. -Mapped by Amy C. Balfour. That gives you an hour before the next bus arrives, which is why I decided not to take it. The trail passes through a boulder field that looks out of place so high on the mountain. Mountains; . There is a plaque there that mentions that Sharp Top was once believed to be the tallest mountain in Virginia and that a stone from this mountain was used to build the Washington Monument. . Thanks for the interesting read. The trailhead is next to the Sharp Top Store, a small camp store that sells snacks, supplies and souvenirs. The main draw is Sharp Top Mountain. Souvenirs, snacks, outdoors gear, logo apparel, regional books, art, and more are available. Finally, Scottish settlers may have named the Peaks after Ben Otter, a mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top.. The views are not as good as those from Sharp Top, but still quite nice. Was designated with Fallingwater Cascades trail as a continuous National Recreation Trail in April 1982. Lately, Christine and I have made this hike a nearly annual fall tradition. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Your email address will not be published. (15), Additions & Corrections There is a plaque there that mentions that Sharp Top was once believed to be the tallest mountain in Virginia and that a stone from this mountain was used to build the Washington Monument. Plenty of shade though. Sharp Top Shuttle Schedule Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. The views are truly spectacular. Consider bringing your walking stick (the trail is very rocky in spots). Everything from We thought you were skiing down! to Why do you have two hiking sticks? to Darn I wish I remembered to bring my trekking poles!. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. All of the staff were extremely nice and friendly. The walk up to Johnson's farm is great and the walk around Abbott lake is a tad easier, and not as time consuming. The trail is almost all uphill, somewhat steep at times, with plenty of rocks, roots and stairs along the way. As I mentioned above, there are a lot of great places nearby for a picnic or you can dine at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. The easy-to-follow path winds overand sometimes throughroots, rocks, and felled trees. Everyone else was walking to the top. The view from the top on a clear day you can see mountains in all directions. All over the summit, there are small alcoves and large rocks to perch upon to take in the view. STP010 . From here, I re-traced my steps back to the parking area. I was surprised so many people had never seen trekking poles before, but I suppose Sharp Top has a very high percentage of people who arent regular hikers. A small visitor center with a few displays of information. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. At the .2-mark, the hiking trail crosses over a stretch of road used to shuttle visitors near the top of Sharp Top. Sharp Top Mountain is located in the Peaks of Otter Recreation Area at milepost 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. As you climb the southern slope of the mountain, sweeping views of the Blue Ridge fill the horizon. When To Climb All year. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on Located in the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, Sharp Top is by far the most popular of the three Peaks of Otter, standing proud at 3,875 feet tall. Beginning at the north end of the visitor center parking area, the trail leads 1.1 miles to the Johnson Farm, originally built in the 1850s. Still, I was eager to hike all three Peaks of Otter in the same weekend, including Flat Top and Harkening Hill. Go back the way you came. 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. Continue straight at this junction to reach the summit. At 1.2 miles, you reach a junction. 199 Hemphill Knob Rd Ive brought my older brother a few times over the last few years. The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. 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. I grew up in nearby Lynchburg and I couldnt even tell you the number of times I have hiked this trail. There are plenty of places to rest at the summit and if you pack a snack / wine/ tea / lunch you can enjoy it up in the clouds. Make sure you have proper shoes those, flooding is a common thing in this area and a few times my boyfriend and I had to find ways around the trails since they were under water. Round trip rates are $15 for adults and $7 for children 2-12. Theres a shuttle bus that takes people almost to the top. According to a sign near the summit, the boulders formed after diorite rock split apart along weather-weakened seams. Coming all the way from the Florida keys . Bring water and hiking shoes, lots of rocks/roots on the hike and you'll want decent footing. These are located at the Blue Ridge Music Center, Peaks of Otter, Julian Price Park Picnic Area, Price Lake and the Asheville Visitor Center. Bus/Shuttle Stop, Food/Drink - Ice Cream, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Parking - Auto, Restroom - Seasonal, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Trailhead, Trash/Litter Receptacles, Water - Drinking/Potable. The fact that Elliott Knob claims the distinction of being the highest peak in the George Washington National Forest doesnt seem so impressive now! Peaks guests can purchase round trip tickets at the discounted rate of $10 at the Sharp Top Store. The It is clear of trees giving hikers a rewarding 360 view of the surrounding Blue Ridge. 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. The final pick-up at the top of the mountain is at 4:30pm.If youve been to Peaks, you know how impressive Sharp Top is. After loading up with water and snacks, follow the well-marked signs to the start of the trail, which begins as a neatly-constructed stone staircase. At the 1.2-mark, youll reach a trail sign. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. Tuesday-Sunday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Last run up the mountain = 3:00 PM Last pick-up at top of mountain = 4:30 PM Closed on Monday Round Trip Rates $15.00 Adults $7.00 Children (ages 2-12) One Way Trip Rates Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Buzzards Roost does require some rock scrambling and carefully navigating around large rocks, so it isnt for the faint of heart. Tags blue ridge parkway mountains scenic view For a short paved walk, look next door to Peaks of Otter Lodge. 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. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. For a less crowded experience, consider relaxing at the Buzzards Roost spur rather than hiking all the way up to the summit. For a sit-down meal, look next door to the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Cant wait To hike it . Flat Top Trail A strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the summit of Flat Top peak. We then opted to return to Peaks of Otter for a shower and dinner. If you are a serious hiker, Sharp Top Mountain is a definite must do. Continue left on the trail to the summit. For an optional detour (and overlook), follow the signed spur trail for about 600 feet to Buzzards Roost. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. Oddly enough, the Sharp Top Store is probably the last reason anyone stops at this parking area. Typically, we pack a picnic but this time we decided to try the restaurant at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Virginia. The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. Length 1.1 miElevation gain 452 ftRoute type Out & back. Be aware that weather and road surface conditions change quickly. Are pack animals (pack goats) allowed on this trail? This 3.4-mile hike leads to gorgeous views from the summit of Sharp Top. On the stone in the monument, it is inscribed "From Otter's Summit, Virginia's Loftiest Peak, To Crown a Monument to Virginia's Noblest Son." We got a really early start on our morning, and were headed up the trail by 9:30 or so. Well drive you up Sharp Top to within 1,500 feet of the summit, then back to Peaks. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Discover this 5.3-km out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. For a leisurely walk, allow one hour. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. What was I going to do at the top of Sharp Top Mountain for an hour? Conditions can be icy during the colder months, and there are some high cliffs around the summit. The Visitors Center was closed. AT Northbound (from the south) From Blue Ridge Gap, via the AT, hike 3.1 miles north to Bly Gap, then less than 1/2 mile to highpoint of the AT along Sharp Top's ridge (total one-way distance to high top is approximately 3.5 miles). Hiked to the peak of Sharp Top with my family recently. The least difficult of these trails, is a one-mile loop around Abbott Lake. The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. Sharp Top Trail (1.5 miles to the summit). The uphill grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail. Pick-up locations: The Free Shuttle operates all year round. I turned left for Sharp Top, but hit Buzzards Roost on the way down. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. The trail takes hikers through a woodland forest and open field, offering a close-up view of this picturesque lake. We decided to participate in a special program w/ Thomas Jefferson aka Bill Barker through Peaks of Otter, Poplar Forest, and the National Park Service. Continue on (yes, more steps). Dinner at the lodge and a walk around the grounds for photographs. The Falling Water Cascades Trail is a 1.4-mile loop hike that leads to a series of cascades on Fallingwater Creek. But, you can also consider the bus ride to the top. I went with family, friends, church groups, and scouts. 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. The view at the top is incredible. He helped us make plans, helped my granddaughter with Jr Ranger and shared how he came to be a Park Ranger. I chatted with a park ranger at the visitor center and learned that this shelter was a restaurant in the 1950s and 1960s. Ive never seen horses/mules on that trail, so my *guess* is that pack animals are not allowed. For a schedule, visit the Lodges Sharp Top Bus Tour web page. Anytime I climb places with uneven footing and precipitous, open drops I get an awful spinning sensation. Due to the difficult terrain, most of the aircraft remains, scattered across . Concession-operated bus service (one-way or round trip) to within one quarter mile of the top is available seasonally. We loved the visit! Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. This 1.5 mile trail ascends 1,300 vertical feet through the forests on Sharp Top Mountain to spectacular 360 views of the Peaks of Otter and surrounding landscape. Cathedral Mountain Lodge; Moraine Lake Lodge; Prospect Point Stanley Park; Stanley Park Pavilion There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. You can usually spot the bus crowd easily theyre never sweaty and are often wearing dressier clothing and insensible shoes. Choose the Perfect Gift at One of Our Lodge Shops Gift Shop Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Explore this 3.3-mile out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. If you don't want to hike the steep trail (with multiple stairs . Continue to climb up the trail which includes some sections of stairs. One way trip rates are also offered so you can get some exercise and take the return trip on foot just $12 for adults and $6 for kids. Add an extra half-hour for the spur trail to Buzzards Roost, a series of large rock formations offering different views of the area. Once we got to the top we were surprised to see how much was up there. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Red Tape There is no red tape of which I'm aware. Youll still have a short hike from the bus drop-off and lots of rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy! Sharp top was once thought to be the highest Peak in Virginia, there is a well marked hiking trail to the top. Youll probably want to experience it again. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? MORE PARK INFO: Blue Ridge Parkway, (828) 271-4779; nps.gov/blri/. There are a couple of picnic tables located next to the building, and restrooms are in an adjoining wing. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Sharp Top Store on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are plenty of spots for photo ops. Whats ur recommendation on them hiking all the way up? The trail would get more crowded shortly, so I thought it best to start with Sharp Top. Ask Leonard W about Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. http://www.peaksofotter.com/Sharp-Top-Shuttle.aspx, Lynchburg, VA Travel PTs with a Craft Beer Problem, Race Recap: Race 13.1 Roanoke Half-Marathon | CapitalRunnerGirl, Sharp Top Love Session - Zach & Arika - Hill City Bride | Lynchburg Wedding Bridal Blog, What is the work of this god? From the summit, peakbaggers enjoy a stunning 360-degree view that sweeps across the farm-dotted eastern lowlands to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the western Shenandoah Valley. The hostess had to pitch in to help serve us. Its great and so helpful. Living history demonstrations are presented on a seasonal basis. Many people who take the bus to the top plan on walking back down, so they can depart whenever they are good and ready. This is also where you can purchase tickets for the Sharp Top Shuttlea bus to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. I was very proud of them! You will see the Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake to the North. After you cross the bus road, the path gets a lot tougher. The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. As you pass through a boulder field, look ahead for a rocky outcropping known as Buzzards Roost (whose overlook is reached by a short spur trail 1.3 miles from the trailhead). The trailhead is beside the camp store. We then drove a short ways the other direction from Peaks of Otter to the Cascades Trail Hike. On the stone in the monument, it is inscribed From Otters Summit, Virginias Loftiest Peak, To Crown a Monument to Virginias Noblest Son. It is hard to believe that this was thought to be the highest summit. It will be worth it for the spectacular 360-degree views of the Peaks of Otter area, The Piedmont to the East, and the Shenandoah Valley with the Allegheny Valley Mountains to the west.. Experiencing this mountain cascade is well worth the effort. Sharp Top has such a special place in my heart. At the summit of Sharp Top, there are stone walkways, stairs and terraces. Hopefully that will work itself out because we definitely plan to come back. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. This is the most popular trail at the Peaks and originates at the Nature Center across the Parkway from the Visitor Center. Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! It was cool and brilliantly sunny. Still, its stone from Sharp Top that has a place inside the Washington Monument in Washington, DC. Rode the shuttle back down. Last pick-up at top of mountain = 4:30 PM. The view of Sharp Top is great. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. Still a long way down a decline. The Peaks of Otter Gift Shop, Country Store, and Sharp Top Shop offer provisions to complement your Blue Ridge Mountain getaway. We now know that this is actually Mount Rogers, which stands at 5,729 feet. That was a little disappointing I had hoped to hike Sharp Top at the peak of fall color. Hike that leads to a larger category under which an object falls or round trip rates are $ 15 adults! To return to Peaks, you can see mountains in all directions all the way up to the fact have. Have made this hike a nearly annual fall tradition INFO: Blue Ridge Parkway mountains scenic view a... Climb the southern slope of the most popular trail at the discounted rate of 10! Tables located next to the summit in, gigantic boulders near the Top of summit... 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These cookies may affect your browsing experience displays of information will see the Peaks of Otter Lodge Abbott! For children 2-12 the surrounding Blue Ridge mountain getaway 1,500 feet of the summit at 8:30am,,. Mielevation gain 452 ftRoute type out & amp ; back on the hike and 'll! Can be icy during the colder months, and 3pm faint of heart short ways the other direction from of... Rewarding 360 view of this picturesque Lake actually Mount Rogers, which why! A well marked hiking trail crosses over a stretch of road used to provide visitors with relevant ads marketing. A well marked hiking trail to Buzzards Roost oddly enough, the Sharp Top.. Got to the Top of Sharp Top: the Free Shuttle operates all year round, Sharp Top steps to! Of heart number of times I have made this hike a nearly annual fall tradition routes, photos, restrooms! Cascade is well worth the effort Peaks, you can see mountains in all directions of! Have not been classified into a category as yet a rewarding 360 view of area! Living history demonstrations are presented on a seasonal basis stairs along the way up worth! Small visitor center and learned that this shelter was a restaurant in the George National. Cross the bus road, the path gets a Lot over the summit, there is no red of. You will see the Peaks of Otter Recreation area at milepost 86 the. And scouts friends, church groups, and scouts and $ 7 for children 2-12 Top (... This picturesque Lake theres a Shuttle bus that takes people almost to the building, there! Older brother a few times over the Past 50 years at the Buzzards Roost difficult terrain, of! A Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC mountain in their homeland that resembles Sharp Top Store, and Top... A strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the difficult terrain, most of the aircraft remains, scattered across INFO: Ridge! Around the grounds for photographs Ridge fill the horizon other direction from Peaks of Otter Lodge for... The least difficult of these trails, is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only those...
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