Anyone who is interested in visiting Abbott Lake can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. Elevation. Peaks of Otter is a major developed area along the Parkway that has a lodge and restaurant, visitor center, campground, picnic area and historic farm. There is also a large picnic area with outdoor grills. Mountain (climbing) weather forecasts for 2 elevations of Peaks of Otter, Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachians, United States. These can be done as separate hikes or combined to make a hike of 9.8 miles. 2574 feet or 784.55 meters. The Peaks of Otter Salamander has a very limited distribution, about 117 km. When you look out across the farm and see the cabins and fields, you may feel you’ve stepped into the past. Important! The Peaks of Otter salamander is endemic to a 19-km stretch along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Peaks of Otter area of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Bedford, Botetourt, and Rockbridge Counties of west-central Virginia. Mountain … The AT (Section 75) is located 12.9 miles from Buena Vista, Virginia (VA) on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Anyone who is interested in visiting Peaks of Otter can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. Jefferson returned later in the year and marked out a mile long base along the Otter River with his Gunter's chain, and then with his theodolite took some angles from the summit of Sharp Top. The Peaks of Otter is formed by the triangulation of three mountains: Sharp Top Mountain, with a summit of 3875 feet; Flat Top Mountain, whose peak is at 4001 feet; and Harkening Hill, whose apex reaches 3372 feet. But as I ascended in elevation up the mountain, the clouds seemed to multiply and thicken. The Peaks of Otter are three exceptional mountain peaks situated close together in the Blue Ridge Mountains overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia. This will test the effects of interspecific competition on Peaks of Otter salamander condition and reproductive output. In 1834 the first local inn was created by Polly Wood, a widower who opened an "Ordinary" in her log cabin where settlers could stay the night and get a warm meal. "[2] This view may be given credence by similarly Otter-themed place names in Scotland, and the resemblance of Flat Top to Beinn Dorain in the ancestral Ewing area of Argyll and Bute. Fri. July 1, 2016. . The Peaks and Sharp Top Are Easy to Find. These majestic spires dominate the skyline and the scenic vistas for miles around, making them the crown jewels in this pristine forest and recreational oasis. Peaks of Otter. The primary activity at Peaks of Otter is hiking. An article courtesy of the Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia. At 11am, I reached the summit of Sharp Top, elevation 3875 feet, with fully clear skies above me and the clouds clearing beneath me. "3, 1816 August 18. I very much wished for a barometer, to try the height by that also. Same area and date Another location near Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, Bedford County, Virginia, US on Sat Apr 04, 2020. Important! This tool allows you to look up elevation data by searching address or clicking on a live google map. To see the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use … Erin Virginia Mountains Of the three Peaks of Otter in Bedford, Virginia, Harkening Hill is the smallest (at an elevation of 3,364 feet) and most underrated of the three mountain peaks. Flat Top rises to an elevation of 4,004 feet with many scattered rock outcrops. In addition, this montane ABSTRACT -The Peaks of Otter salamander, Plethodon hubrichti, is a montane species found at elevations above 442 m within a 117 km2 area of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia, USA. Features Upgrade Route Planner Organizations Find Stories. Elevation of Roanoke is 936.09 feet or 285.32 meters and the elevation of Rockfish Gap Turnpike is 1261.5 feet or 384.51 meters, which is a difference of 325.41 feet or 99.18 meters. European settlers started establishing the area in the mid-1700s. They include Sharp Top, with an altitude of 3,875 feet (1,181 m); Flat Top, with an altitude of 4,004 feet (1,220 m); and Harkening Hill, with an altitude of 3,375 feet (1,029 m). Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, Virginia Peaks of Otter Recreation Area is a park located in Bedford County, VA at N37.44680° W79.60254° (NAD83) and at an elevation of 2526 ft MSL. There is a small memorial on a rock at the top of the site, but the majority of the plane can still be found along the mountain. Log In. The trailhead is located to the right of the building. Why does the Peaks of Otter Salamander have such a limited distribution? Operating dates for the lodge and restaurant can be found here. … (Jefferson to George Flower). This page shows the elevation/altitude information of Peaks, VA, USA, including elevation map, topographic map, narometric pressure, longitude and latitude. The AT (Section 74) is located 11.4 miles from Bedford, Virginia (VA) on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. I have hiked up the sister peak, Sharp Top, countless times, but I have only been up Flat Top a few times. Once thought to be the highest peak in Virginia, this 2.5 hour hike is one that will leave you speechless at the top. At the base of the mountain from Peaks of Otter, the Johnson’s Orchards truly provide an amazing view of the natural beauty of the area. Elevation Map: Satellite Map: Related Photos: Apple Orchard Falls. Elevation: 812 ft. At milepost marker 86 of the Blue Ridge Parkway stands the Peaks of Otter. Thomas Jefferson once wrote that "the mountains of the Blue Ridge, and of these the Peaks of Otter, are thought to be of a greater height, measured from their base, than any others in our country, and perhaps in North America." *Photos by Andrew Kniowski I left before dark and started my trip to Peaks of Otter. I will do myself the pleasure of sending you my estimate of the Peaks of Otter, which I count on undertaking in the course of the next month. From June–October the National Park Service provides various Ranger programs. There is also a separate cliff formation on the other side of Sharp Top called Buzzard's Roost, which also has good views. 2. "The height of our mountains has not yet been estimated with any degree of exactness. Sharp Top is the most famous hike with its spectacular 360° view at the top. The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. c. 1781. We had heard of Peaks of Otter for years but had never visited it. For those who cannot hike 1.5 mile and 1,300 ft elevation gain trail up to the top of Sharp Top, there is a shuttle service that people up to within a 15-minute walk from the top. These peaks are Sharp Top, Flat Top, and Harkening Hill. "[O]n your return to Philadelphia I would recommend your passing along the valley between the blue ridge & North mountain, that is to say by the Peaks of Otter, Natural bridge, Staunton, Winchester Harper's ferry, Frederictown & Lancaster. The trailhead is located near the Peaks of Otter Nature Center. Ebb Tide. [5] There is a flat, one-mile paved trail around Abbott Lake along with a 1.6-mile-loop trail to a waterfall roughly 2 miles north on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This species is only found in mature, deciduous forests at elevations greater than 442 m. Elevation may be the key factor limiting the distribution of the species, as the relative health of salamander populations appear to decline with elevation. The AT (Section 74) has a maximum elevation of 3,556 ft., a minimum elevation of 953 ft. and an elevation range of 2,603 ft. The National Park Service preserves the peaks and lake as part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It gave me a bit of hope: maybe the sun will shine today. When on top, visitors can enjoy a picnic on a large boulder complemented by a panorama view of Piedmont, the Allegheny Valley Mountains, and the … Harkening Hill is also in the shadow of Sharp Top, the tallest (at an elevation of 3,862 feet) and most popular of the three mountain peaks, which stands tall just across the parkway. Download the free Peaks of Otter topo map. The Peaks of Otter and Sharp Top aren’t hard to find – … Peaks of Otter Lodge Restaurant, Bedford: See 642 unbiased reviews of Peaks of Otter Lodge Restaurant, rated 3.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #5 of 43 restaurants in Bedford. In 1766 Thomas Wood and his family from Pennsylvania settled a homestead on the area; National Park Service documents[1] indicate other early residents included brothers Charles and Robert Ewing, who are asserted by some to have named the Peaks after the Ewing surname as it is pronounced in Scottish Gaelic – Clann Eóghain na h-Oitrich, or "Clan Ewing of Otter. Of course this later turned out not to be the case, but not before Virginia had sent stones from the peaks to be its part of the Washington Monument. The latitude and longitude coordinates of Peaks of Otter are 37.447082, -79.583369 and the approximate elevation is 2,986 feet (910 meters) above sea level. On the subject of that admeasurement, I must premise that my object was only to gratify a common curiosity as to the height of those mountains, which we deem our highest, and to furnish an à peu près, sufficient to satisfy us in a comparison of them with the other mountains of our own, or of other countries. Johnson Farm is a historically restored site along one of the side trails towards Harkening Hill. [8] You can also visit orchards and vineyards of the descendants of the Johnson and Gross families, who have been living in the area since the late 1800s. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Sharp Top peak with an elevation gain of 373 m (1,227 ft). For those who cannot hike 1.5 mile and 1,300 ft elevation gain trail up to the top of Sharp Top, there is a shuttle service that people up to within … Peaks of Otter is covered by the Peaks of Otter, VA US Topo Map quadrant Free US ... Because the nearest station and this geographic feature may have differences in elevation and topography, the historic weather at the two separate locations may be different as well. From the Flat Top Parking Area at milepost 83.5, off the Parkway, it is 2.6 miles to the summit with an elevation gain of just under 1600 feet. The 469-mile road that took 52 years to finish ends in Waynesboro after carving a route through the George Washington National Forest. Archaeological evidence under Abbott Lake indicates that Native Americans have been visiting the Peaks of Otter for at least 8,000 years for hunting, travel, and rest. More; Overview . Same area Another location near Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, Bedford County, Virginia, US. Located at Milepost 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Peaks of Otter Lodge is found in a naturally serene location with the pristine Abbott Lake and majestic Sharp Top Mountain as the backdrop. Peaks of Otter has an elevation of 3835.5 feet or 1169.06 meters, which is a difference of 2899.4 feet or 883.74 meters. Peaks of Otter, on Ride with GPS. There are three main peaks; Flat Top, Sharp Top, and Harkening Hill in order from highest peak altitude to lowest peak altitude. Peaks of Otter to Fancy Gap (Blue Ridge Parkway) See other rides. The latitude and longitude coordinates of Abbott Lake are 37.4459043, -79.6047595 and the approximate elevation is 2,493 feet (760 meters) above sea level. The AT (Section 75) has a maximum elevation of 4,191 ft., a minimum elevation of 2,367 ft. and an elevation range of 1,824 ft. Peaks of Otter salamanders had greater dehydration rates and lower critical thermal maxima than the wider-ranging Eastern red-backed salamanders, which reflects their adaptation to montane environments. The house and outbuildings are preserved in their 1930's form along with gardens and a small orchard. US Topo Map. Click for more. Operating dates for the lodge and restaurant can be found here. Elevation: 3862 ft / 1177 m: Sign the Climber's Log! The three Peaks of Otter -- Sharp Top Mountain, Flat Top Mountain and Harkening Hill -- reach elevations of 3,875 feet, 4,001 feet and 3,372 feet, respectively. What to Do . Description. The primary activity at Peaks of Otter is hiking. Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, Virginia Peaks of Otter Recreation Area is a park located in Bedford County, VA at N37.44680° W79.60254° (NAD83) and at an elevation of 2526 ft MSL. The Peaks of Otter place has a special place in my heart, since this was where my family would often visit for a picnic. More; Overview. Because the nearest station and this geographic feature may have differences in elevation and topography, the historic weather at the two separate locations may be different as well. On the summit of the far side of Sharp Top is the site where a B-25 bomber crashed into the mountain during a training exercise during World War II. Hike Abstract Location: Flat Top Mountain Overlook, Peaks of Otter Recreation Area, VA Distance from Hubs: Raleigh (161 miles – 3 hours and 6 min) Greensboro (125 miles – 2 hours and 23 min) Roanoke (32 miles – 55 min) Trail Access: From Bedford, VA follow VA-43 north for 10.3 mi. Anyone who is interested in visiting Peaks of Otter can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. Peaks of Otter is displayed on the Peaks of Otter USGS quad topo map. The Pinnacle and Cross Rock are names given to such formations. Otter, Peaks of, two peaks, W central Va., in the Blue Ridge, W of Lynchburg. Collect Peaks of Otter salamanders in allopatric and sympatric sites (sites with the Eastern Red-backed salamander) at comparable elevations to assess their condition and number of eggs per female. One of the families included the Johnson family, which lived for 3 generations until the 1930s on the now-preserve Johnson farmstead. Peaks of Otter, Bedford County, Virginia, USA - Free topographic maps visualization and sharing. Park at the Peaks of Otter Nature Center (which is now closed). There are three main peaks; Flat Top, Sharp Top, and Harkening Hill in order from highest peak altitude to lowest peak altitude. Download the free Buchanan topo map. 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