My wife and are senior citizens and taking our time we did make it all the way to the top. We then opted to return to Peaks of Otter for a shower and dinner. On the way down, Adam and I took the side trail to visit the Buzzards Roost. Every available space was taken, as was every patch of grass that could fit a vehicle. The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. 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. 28803, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Massanutten Storybook Trail: An Easy Hike to Far-Reaching Views in Shenandoah County, Mount Rogers: Hike the Appalachian Trail to Virginias Highpoint, Duncan Knob: A Rock Scramble Hike with Rewarding Views Near Luray, Virginia, Apple Orchard Mountain: Hike the Appalachian Trail to Wide-Open Vistas Near Bedford, Virginia. You will get more great views from here and can actually get some nice views of the summit of Sharp Top. Check w/ the Lodge regarding the shuttle schedule, it only runs certain days and certain hours depending on the season. more. 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. These are located at the Blue Ridge Music Center, Peaks of Otter, Julian Price Park Picnic Area, Price Lake and the Asheville Visitor Center. Required fields are marked *. Begins behind the visitor center and across from the amphitheater. Thats where our shuttles comes in handy. As in, gigantic boulders near the 1-mile mark. As expected, the views are spectacular and it was such a sense of accomplishment to complete. From the Blue Ridge Parkway-based trailhead (across from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center at MP86), start a moderate climb along the mountains base. The Ultimate Roommate Compatibility Test: Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail, 9 Hiking Adventures to Make Your Spring Pure Gold, 9 Spectacular Early Spring Backpacking Trips You Can Do Right Now, The 7 Best Hikes Backpackers Editors Did in 2022, The Best San Diego Hikes for Your Next Coastal Adventure. This is the most popular trail at the Peaks and originates at the Nature Center across the Parkway from the Visitor Center. We hiked the peaks of otter and loved every moment of it. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. Sharp Top Store on the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of the most popular trails is all of Virginia is the strenuous climb up to the rocky summit of Sharp Top Mountain (3,875 feet), This peak has attracted hikers for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Yes, Sharp Top is strenuous, but well worth it. They really were pretty cool. The inscription reads: From Otters summit, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son.. Its like the feel of my feet doesnt match what my eyes are seeing. Last pick-up at top of mountain = 4:30 PM. Each room has a beautiful lake view. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 15 min to complete. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? 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. This could be due to the fact they have just reopened and are under new management. The Sharp Top Store is also the starting point for a shuttle bus that takes riders most of the way up the mountainbut, of course, this is cheating. I was hoping that someone could tell me if it is off to the left or right of buzzard roost trail and how far down the buzzard roost trail should I go. These are the paths leading up from the Sharp Top mountain bus stop. I might suggest looking there. It is a moderately strenuous trail and is self-guiding with written displays describing the forest community. 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). A right turn leads to the shuttle bus shelter. We are glad we stopped in and very much enjoyed our visit. Return to 'Sharp Top Mountain' main page. For the full Sharp Top hike (3.3 miles, out-and-back), the trail begins with a dozen stone steps right. After the stop at Buzzards Roost, we started our final climb down. Ive brought my older brother a few times over the last few years. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. 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! We hiked the Sharps Mountain trail and really enjoyed it. From the parking area, this hike took me nearly two hours, including time spent at Sharp Top and Buzzards Roost. We now know that this is actually Mount Rogers, which stands at 5,729 feet. Its a tough little climb, but the summit is spectacular. Thanks for the visit! Turn left to continue to the summit of Sharp Top. Last fall, I hiked Sharp Top Mountain in Bedford, Virginia. Get Directions. Mountains; . I was not deterred, however. Add an extra half-hour for the spur trail to Buzzards Roost, a series of large rock formations offering different views of the area. The 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). 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. Relax on the outdoor patio after your visit to Sharp Top. (1 ), Bluff Mountain (and Alligator Back Cliffs). We then drove a short ways the other direction from Peaks of Otter to the Cascades Trail Hike. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We're all about skipping the drive, and enjoying the ride when it comes to skiing at Mount Washington. Toggle navigation. It apparently used to be a concession stand. We actually opted to walk the gravel road down the mountain to save my knees for the next hike. When you reach the junction .3 miles from the summit, I would highly recommend adding .2 miles (.4 miles round trip) to check out Buzzards Roost. But I have to admit that mountain of fried chicken on the buffet table looked very compelling! 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+ This is an extremely popular hike for families and larger groups, but it definitely has some steep sections. The views from the top really are oustanding, they have several areas with railings and stone walls so it's not too dangerous (though the kids were scared).Pros: Excellent views, good workout, fun trail to climb, and their is a bus/shuttle that will take you most of the way if you can't or don't want to make the climb.Cons: Plenty of nats/bugs in certain sections, and as I said, a pretty steep slog up to the top.Recommendations: The hike is moderately strenuous so take the bus up and/or down if you don't have the energy or time. 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. Steep, stone-cut steps are the efficient (and quad busting) substitute. We rode the bus almost to the top of this mountain, but to get to the very top, you have to hike up a steep winding trail. As a side note, I drove back by mid-afternoon and it was packed. I was also thrilled that I seemed to arrive at just the right time, a few minutes before 8 am on a Saturday. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 47 min to complete. The name may come from the Cherokee Indian word, ottari, which means high places. The Peaks may have been named after the Otter River, which has its headwaters in the area. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Experiencing this mountain cascade is well worth the effort. The rock formations on this mountain are impressive! After lunch, we walked along the water and did a bit of people watching. Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Near Bedford, Virginia at Parkway Milepost 86. The keurig in the room was a nice touch. The trail would get more crowded shortly, so I thought it best to start with Sharp Top. I discovered you blog just a few days ago. Its nice that most everyone can enjoy the summit views. ;). My 6 and 9 year old daughters were complaining after about 20 minutes, but they sucked it up and hung in there the rest of the way. The Visitors Center was closed. For example, the Sharp Top is 3.4 miles round-trip. Viewing: 1-12 of 12. 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). The Peaks of Otter Visitor Center is small but the ranger is very knowledgable and friendly. It's defined as the vertical distance between a peak and the lowest contour line surrounding that peak and no higher peak. Ive never seen horses/mules on that trail, so my *guess* is that pack animals are not allowed. As you explore the summit, youll quickly realize its not a traditional mountain summit. I grew up in nearby Lynchburg and I couldnt even tell you the number of times I have hiked this trail. The trail is popular with families, and youll even see the occasional dog (a leash is required). Be sure to enjoy the plants and animals that live along this trail and dont be surprised to run into many of them on your trip. For an optional detour (and overlook), follow the signed spur trail for about 600 feet to Buzzards Roost. At the summit of Sharp Top, there are stone walkways, stairs and terraces. The shuttle is a good option for those either not interested or not able to hike all the way to the top. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The trail passes through a boulder field that looks out of place so high on the mountain. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. Thanks for sharing! Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Cathedral Mountain Lodge; Moraine Lake Lodge; Prospect Point Stanley Park; Stanley Park Pavilion Allow two to three hours for a leisurely visit. Im glad someone thought better of the idea and closed the place down do we really need hot dogs and ice cream for sale on mountain summits? All of the staff were extremely nice and friendly. Don't be fooled by the easy start, it gets pretty steep in some places. This was very helpful thank you so much. (TRACK trail). These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. 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. When To Climb All year. You will see the Peaks of Otter Lodge and Abbott Lake to the North. We got a really early start on our morning, and were headed up the trail by 9:30 or so. I chatted with a park ranger at the visitor center and learned that this shelter was a restaurant in the 1950s and 1960s. We go in two weeks to sharp top. Sharp Top Shuttle Schedule Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. Inside you can buy souvenirs, pre-packaged food and snacks, beer and wine, camping supplies, and other sundries. The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. Sharp Top Trail Shuttle The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. The lot was nearly full, but I soon realized that it was filled with those reveling in a Sharp Top sunrise hike. (1), Images Like many mountain homes, this one was improved a number of times over the years. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. Living history demonstrations are presented on a seasonal basis. While I personally dont think it is that difficult, I can understand some people feeling that way. Tags blue ridge parkway mountains scenic view Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. Its certainly a thrill to hike up to the top of the nearly 4,000-foot mountain. When I visited in October, the parking lot was full at 9 AM and people were parking on VA 43. The trailhead is beside the camp store. Sharp Top Trail. If your kids are fit and active, they may be able to do the entire hike. Steps ascend from parking lot and nature center. He helped us make plans, helped my granddaughter with Jr Ranger and shared how he came to be a Park Ranger. Even though it was the second weekend of October, the leaves were still mostly green. Sign up for Outside+ today. I wish I did it sooner. Are pack animals (pack goats) allowed on this trail? There is no drinking water available on the summit, so carry plenty with you. A spur path near the summit leads to Balance Rock, an immense boulder balanced on a small rock. Harkening Hill Trail Go back the way you came. The trail starts off with a slow but steady climb and then crosses the bus summit road at .25 miles. Pass an old stone building then take the last few steps to the top for the full panorama. A loop trail, approximately two miles long, which follows a section of the Harkening Hill loop trail. (another mountain, also named Sharp Top, is #42), For those that dont feelthe need to hike all the way to the summit, you can take a bus ride that brings you closer to the summit. I dont know why, but I always seem to block the steep and rocky parts out of my mind. It is clear of trees giving hikers a rewarding 360 view of the surrounding Blue Ridge. At 1.2 miles, you reach a junction. By then it was open. Pick-up locations: The Free Shuttle operates all year round. 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. This trail is one of the three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains called the Peaks of Otter. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. I went with family, friends, church groups, and scouts. The most well-known trail of Virginia's Blue Ridge Parkway is the Peaks of Otter trail.It's a 1.5-mile hike to the summit of Sharp Top. Typically, we pack a picnic but this time we decided to try the restaurant at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. It took me 2 hours (posting states 1.5 hours) and hiking boots and poles were helpful. Routes Buzzards Roost does require some rock scrambling and carefully navigating around large rocks, so it isnt for the faint of heart. The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. Once you leave the Roost, go back to the junction and take a left down the trail to make your way back to the car. Free Shuttle Schedule Hop Aboard. If you don't want to hike the steep trail (with multiple stairs . Print/PDF map. Date Climbed: 11-19-2004 . It seems they may be short-staffed, and the waitstaff and bartender were extremely nice and apologetic but obviously overwhelmed. If you like the stair master at the gym, you will love the ups and downs of the hike. read more. Peaks of Otter Lodge This 3.4-mile hike leads to gorgeous views from the summit of Sharp Top. Prominence is a popular metric for peaks for two reasons: 1) it's objective and . 2023 DNC Parks & Resorts at Peaks of Otter, Inc. This no-nonsense trail has little use for switchbacks (there are only a few) as it shoots toward the summit. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. It was far from the quiet, peaceful scene I met at the start of my hike. The shuttle drops hikers within 0.25 miles of the summit, for a shorter, though still strenuous climb up the stairs to the top. For a short paved walk, look next door to Peaks of Otter Lodge. 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Gravel road down the mountain he seems proud to know that this was thought to the. Views from here and can actually get some nice views of the.! Miles, out-and-back ), the leaves were still mostly green got a really start... Of Otter Lodge Top mountain in Bedford, Virginia Changed a lot over last... Learned that this shelter was a nice touch were helpful Like many mountain homes, hike! X27 ; t be fooled by the easy start, it takes an average of 47 min complete. Rocks to scramble on and views to enjoy entire hike ive brought my older a.

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