Post by GaliWalker on Oct 23, 2023 7:57:00 GMT -8
Peaks of Otter, Virginia (Oct/22/2023)
I’d visited Peaks of Otter – Sharp Top and Flat Top Mountain – earlier this year in March and made a mental note to return in fall. Yesterday, I made that repeat trip. Fall colors were nearly prime; with maybe an additional week to go for a full display.
I tackled Sharp Top Mountain first. It was extremely windy – 30mph, with even stronger gusts – which made photography a challenge, since I was afraid that my camera/tripod would get knocked down if I left it unattended. In fact, there were occasions when even standing upright on some of the rockier perches, such as Buzzard’s Roost, was difficult.
Flat Top from Sharp Top's summit, 20min after sunrise
I had to brace myself against the wind for this selfie, and make sure my tripod was set up in a sheltered spot
Buzzard's Roost - the hill at center - from Sharp Top's summit
Sharp Top summit from Buzzard's Roost
Looking south from Buzzard's Roost
After coming down from Sharp Top, I headed around Peaks of Otter Lake, and then up Flat Top Mountain. The western slopes were just as windy as Sharp Top, but there was some relief on the eastern side of the ridge, which is where the summit vista is. After the summit, I continued down the trail on the other side for a half mile to the Pinnacle Vista, which ended up being my turnaround spot.
Sharp Top and Peaks of Otter Lake
Blue Ridge Parkway views on the drive back
Cumulative stats: 11.25mi, 3700ft elevation gain (including all explorations), 7.75hrs
I’d visited Peaks of Otter – Sharp Top and Flat Top Mountain – earlier this year in March and made a mental note to return in fall. Yesterday, I made that repeat trip. Fall colors were nearly prime; with maybe an additional week to go for a full display.
I tackled Sharp Top Mountain first. It was extremely windy – 30mph, with even stronger gusts – which made photography a challenge, since I was afraid that my camera/tripod would get knocked down if I left it unattended. In fact, there were occasions when even standing upright on some of the rockier perches, such as Buzzard’s Roost, was difficult.
Flat Top from Sharp Top's summit, 20min after sunrise
I had to brace myself against the wind for this selfie, and make sure my tripod was set up in a sheltered spot
Buzzard's Roost - the hill at center - from Sharp Top's summit
Sharp Top summit from Buzzard's Roost
Looking south from Buzzard's Roost
After coming down from Sharp Top, I headed around Peaks of Otter Lake, and then up Flat Top Mountain. The western slopes were just as windy as Sharp Top, but there was some relief on the eastern side of the ridge, which is where the summit vista is. After the summit, I continued down the trail on the other side for a half mile to the Pinnacle Vista, which ended up being my turnaround spot.
Sharp Top and Peaks of Otter Lake
Blue Ridge Parkway views on the drive back
Cumulative stats: 11.25mi, 3700ft elevation gain (including all explorations), 7.75hrs