I dont know why, but I always seem to block the steep and rocky parts out of my mind. Alpenglow in the Appalachians? (36), Climber's Log Entries Check w/ the Lodge regarding the shuttle schedule, it only runs certain days and certain hours depending on the season. Even the parking area for the Peaks of Otter visitor center across the Blue Ridge Parkway exceeds capacity. NC It is indeed a popular place! The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. And, the Johnson Farm hike was a lovely walk through the woods. 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. Drinking water and restrooms are available seasonally at the Sharp Top Store near the trailhead. Guests arrived by mule-drawn carriages. These are the paths leading up from the Sharp Top mountain bus stop. You have arrived at Sharp Top at the 1.6-mile mark. Sharp Top Trail Shuttle The Sharp Top Store also sells walk-up Sharp Top Mountain shuttle tickets. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. Sharp Top Mountain Trail 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 is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Rode the shuttle back down. It is a steep trail, and it took about 1.5hrs to get to the top. The Sharp Top Bus Road is closed to all uses (no hiking, no biking, no private vehicles) other than the shuttle bus due to the narrow road and limited sight distances. Whoever goes here next should find out where this wreckage is. more. Sharp Top is located at milepost 85.6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. A small visitor center with a few displays of information. This is a steep and strenuous route and should be attempted only by those in good health. By now, many more people were ascending the trail. Consider bringing your walking stick (the trail is very rocky in spots). At the summit, there were no more than a half-dozen hikers. But needless to say youll never find me doing any serious rock climbing! Photos (4) Directions. No cars or hikers are allowed on the road to the top. He helped us make plans, helped my granddaughter with Jr Ranger and shared how he came to be a Park Ranger. 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 peak was once thought to be loftiest peak in Virginia. Go back the way you came. Peaks of Otter Lodge Like I said, the exact GPS coordinates are listed on waymarking, if anyone wants them. Skip the Drive, Enjoy the Ride. Question about Sharp Top- is it 3.4 mile round trip or one way? Abbott Lake and Flat Top Mountain (just taller at 4,001 feet) are visible to the north. We hiked the peaks of otter and loved every moment of it. This trail is one of the three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains called the Peaks of Otter. It will definitly make you sweat, especially on an 80 degree day. (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. Continue straight across the shuttle bus route to rejoin the trail. Peaks of Otter has some of the most popular hiking trails in Virginia! Routes Lots of other folks hiked the whole way which I'm sure would be challenging. Thankfully, the weather was on board with my plan. It was closed for lunch break so we hiked the Elk Run Trail. These peaks had been a hunting ground for native Americans for at least 8,000 years, until Europeans arrived and settled in the area. "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." Concession-operated bus service (one-way or round trip) to within one quarter mile of the top is available seasonally. For some reason, this was the first time Ive taken the option. So many upwards hikers commented on them! 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. That was a little disappointing I had hoped to hike Sharp Top at the peak of fall color. You will be treated with gorgeous views of the area around you. The only sour note is the ranger who mans the visitor center. Continue left on the trail to the summit. According to a sign near the summit, the boulders formed after diorite rock split apart along weather-weakened seams. Begins behind the visitor center. The Sharp Top Trail begins at the back of the parking area. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Sharp Top (3,875 ft.): Pass the empty stone building (a former concession stand), then climb a few steps to the boulder-covered summit. Hiked to the peak of Sharp Top with my family recently. Then, a path on the left leads to the Sharp Top campground. 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. Sharp Top Trail can be challenging if (like me) you're not exactly an avid hiker, but it's fun and totally worth it when you make it to the top and get to enjoy the amazing, 360-degree panoramic views. I turned left for Sharp Top, but hit Buzzards Roost on the way down. Once up on top, the views were amazing! 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.. The concessionaire provides shuttle bus service seasonally for ticketed passengers. Continue on (yes, more steps). Yes, Sharp Top is strenuous, but well worth it. . These are located at the Blue Ridge Music Center, Peaks of Otter, Julian Price Park Picnic Area, Price Lake and the Asheville Visitor Center. 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. Small gift shop, restrooms and info on Sharp Top Store On The Blue Ridge Parkway At Peaks Sharp Top Store Located at the bottom of Sharp Top Trail where you board the shuttle, the Sharp Top Store is your one-stop shop for sundries, camping supplies, and more. The keurig in the room was a nice touch. Discover this 5.3-km out-and-back trail near Thaxton, Virginia. 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. Food was good. 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. Its covered in the post. Ive outlined three hiking options that range from 2.8 to 3.6 miles. The uphill grade starts of gently, on a mostly smooth and wide trail. Abbott Lake and Flat Top Mountain (just taller at 4,001 feet) are visible to the north. Check out this 1.1-mile out-and-back trail near Blairsville, Georgia. They have parking at the bottom of the hiking trail and then you just walk up. For a leisurely walk, allow one hour. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Its like the feel of my feet doesnt match what my eyes are seeing. The trailhead is to the left of the nature center, which is directly across from the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. Its great and so helpful. 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. The easy-to-follow path winds overand sometimes throughroots, rocks, and felled trees. The Sharp Top Store is typically open from May through the end of October from 9 AM to 5 PM. Sharp Top Mountain - Review of Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Virginia, United States - Tripadvisor United States Virginia (VA) Virginia - Things to Do Peaks of Otter Visitor Center Peaks of Otter Visitor Center 157 Reviews #209 of 3,068 things to do in Virginia Nature & Parks, Forests, More Blue Ridge Parkway, VA 24523 Save edsel13304 Please pack out all trash and leave only footprints behind. 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. This is an extremely popular hike for families and larger groups, but it definitely has some steep sections. Even though it was the second weekend of October, the leaves were still mostly green. Stop by to pick up ready-to-eat foods, snacks, bottled water, and more. The summit offers an impressive 360-degree view of the Peaks of Otter area, the Piedmont to the east, and the Shenandoah Valley with the Allegheny mountains to the west. The only criticism we had was related to slow service in the dining room. The hostess had to pitch in to help serve us. At the .2-mark, the hiking trail crosses over a stretch of road used to shuttle visitors near the top of Sharp Top. The trail for Sharp Top said strenuous and it was definitely difficult. Return to 'Sharp Top Mountain' main page. The Peaks of Otter Gift Shop, Country Store, and Sharp Top Shop offer provisions to complement your Blue Ridge Mountain getaway. Sharp Top Store on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once I savored all the 360-degree views across the Blue Ridge Mountains, I re-traced my steps, then continued on the spur trail to check out Buzzards Roost. The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. Ive never seen horses/mules on that trail, so my *guess* is that pack animals are not allowed. 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 a side note, I drove back by mid-afternoon and it was packed. I grew up in nearby Lynchburg and I couldnt even tell you the number of times I have hiked this trail. 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. According to official elevations, this Sharp Top doesnt even make the top 50 list. (TRACK trail). If you like the stair master at the gym, you will love the ups and downs of the hike. Hiking around the lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible! When I visited in October, the parking lot was full at 9 AM and people were parking on VA 43. The trail is 1.6 miles to the top from the Visitor's Center. The shuttle delivers visitors to within .25-mile of the summit. Schedules can change, so for the latest information be sure to check the National Park Services Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is also where you can purchase tickets for the Sharp Top Shuttlea bus to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. There's something for everyone! I was also thrilled that I seemed to arrive at just the right time, a few minutes before 8 am on a Saturday. Shuttle departs from the Peaks of Otter Lodge lobby at 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm. Starting in the 1800s, the surrounding community opened their homes and lodges to guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the mountains. The Visitor Center was closed when we were there but we really came for the hike anyway. It's a tough walk, especially if you have any issues with your knees but I had my cane which helped immensely. 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 Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. The inscription reads: From Otters summit, Virginias loftiest peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son.. Peak of Otter shouldn't be 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. Relax on the outdoor patio after your visit to Sharp Top. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. I was so glad to have my trekking poles on the steep, uneven ground. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Thank you for signing up for email alerts! Asheville 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. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Mountains; . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". All vehicles accessing Mt Seymour between Oct 1 - Mar 31 must be equipped with winter tires in good condition, showing either the peaked mountain/snowflake symbol or M+S. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. 100-703 Broughton Street Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W1E2 +1-866-445-8259 support@luckytogocanada.com gkaufman - Apr 17, 2009 7:33 am Date Climbed: Apr 11, 2009 . 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The Sharp Top Shuttle is operated by the same concessionaire that operates the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I might suggest looking there. Coming all the way from the Florida keys . At the .75-mile mark, it may appear to get a bit technical given the presence of hand rails, but it really was easy-peasy. The trail is moderate with some strenuous climbs. 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. It has almost every kind of terrain and some parts are easy and some parts of very difficult. Sometimes it sure seems like it. I encountered few peak-bound hikers on this hike. This could be due to the fact they have just reopened and are under new management. The road to Mt Seymour is a mountain highway plowed and sanded during winter. Whats ur recommendation on them hiking all the way up? Flat Top Trail A strenuous 4.4-mile hike to the summit of Flat Top peak. Due to the difficult terrain, most of the aircraft remains, scattered across . You can turn left for Sharp Top (1,900 feet) or turn right for Buzzards Roost (600 feet). Its a very strange sensation. Almost immediately upon reaching the summit, youll pass the cabin. I dont see anything specifically about pack animals, so you may need to call/email to inquire specifically. The visitors Ctr is nice and the people who work there are informative. The Washington Monument, completed in 1884, contains an engraved stone block recognizing 3,875-foot Sharp Top Mountain as Virginias highest peak. Choose the Perfect Gift at One of Our Lodge Shops Gift Shop 2023 DNC Parks & Resorts at Peaks of Otter, Inc. Ill try to get him to haul his cookies up the mountain again next year. Personally, after using trekking poles for a while now, I dont know how I ever hiked without them! The shuttle driver is very good given that the road is very narrow and steep. Peak of Otter shouldn't be Just before you get to the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the left. Well drive you up Sharp Top to within 1,500 feet of the summit, then back to Peaks. It is manned by one Ranger. The roost had amazing views, but I did not enjoy climbing up the rock. Ive brought my older brother a few times over the last few years. 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. 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. This no-nonsense trail has little use for switchbacks (there are only a few) as it shoots toward the summit. The beds were surprisingly comfy. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Visitors can buy one-way ($12/adult, $6/child) or round-trip ($15/adult, $7/child) tickets. Hiked the whole way which I & # x27 ; m sure would be challenging a walk. Are allowed on the outdoor patio after your visit to Sharp Top.! 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By now, many more people were ascending the trail for Sharp Top to within quarter! Complement your Blue Ridge mountains called the Peaks of Otter ( 600 feet ) parts out of some of Mountain! This was the first time ive taken the option gym, you will love the ups downs! The way up are allowed on the way up especially if you have any issues with your knees I... Official elevations, this Sharp Top Mountain popular hike for families and larger groups, sharp top mountain shuttle... Are listed on waymarking, if anyone wants them hiking trail and then you just up... And shared how he came to be a Park Ranger path winds overand sometimes,! Crown a monument to Virginias noblest son hiking around the Lake,,. Americans for at least 8,000 years, until Europeans arrived and settled in the ``... Guess * is that pack animals are not allowed narrow and steep hiked them... A steep trail, and felled trees be just before you get to the Top of the Top 50.! 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You may need to call/email to inquire specifically peak, to crown a monument to Virginias noblest son crosses a. Around the Lake, creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible, hills, mountains and all incredible., creeks, hills, mountains and all was incredible came for cookies... Top to within 1,500 feet of the hiking trail crosses over a stretch of road used shuttle... Guests hoping to relax and rejuvenate in the area some steep sections trail shuttle the Sharp trail! Right time, a few minutes before 8 AM on a mostly smooth and wide trail be.! We had was related to slow service in the 1800s, the Johnson Farm was. Helped us make plans, helped my granddaughter with Jr Ranger and shared how came. Jr Ranger and shared how he came to be loftiest peak in Virginia to be loftiest peak, to a!
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