Outpost

Peaks of Otter

Hatteras

Your only choice for dinner and breakfast is the lodge restaurant, but it's a beautiful facility with good food. You'll eat while gazing out at the lake and if you have a window table you'll be looking up at two of the peaks. Dinner is reasonably priced and the menu is excellent. They're particularly famous for their Rainbow Trout (which you should order broiled), Pot Pie and Turkey & Dressing. They serve a decent Chowder, but we think their Chile is better and recommend a cup of it as an appetizer. Rather than rely on Scoville Units to impress, their Chile is full of flavor. Their bread is very good, as is their Coffee. They serve a great selection of local Virginia wines, and if they have it available by the glass when you visit, you should sample some. Desserts are outstanding, but you may be too full to try any. We are not so impressed with their Breakfast Buffet, which we think is overpriced at $10 and not nearly as ample as most other restaurants. Fortunately, you also have the option of ordering off the menu. Their pancakes are among the best in Virginia, the Coffee is once again very good, and the Country Ham, Sausage, Red Eye Gravy, Biscuits and Hot Chocolate are definitely worth ordering. They're stingy with their Juice, so be sure to order a Large.

Peaks of Otter is a stunningly beautiful and historic area. Thomas Jefferson, Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee brought their families here on vacations. They came for the three spectacular peaks (Sharp Top, Flat Top and Harkings Mtn.), Otter Lake (also called Abbott Lake) and the Otter River. Virginians early believed these were the three highest mountains in America, and Jefferson himself recorded this as a fact while President. Accordingly, stones from the three peaks were included in the base of the Washington Monument. Because of its rugged terrain the forest on the mountains has never been timbered. The area is maintained today as the Peaks of Otter Wilderness by the National Park Service, with the Blue Ridge Parkway and Lodge sitting just outside the official wilderness territory. Bear, Cougar, Wolves, Otters, Buzzards and numerous birds of prey have lived here for thousands of years, and this is home to more species of Salamanders than any other location in the world. You are almost guaranteed to see wildlife, including the deer who graze fearlessly in the yard right outside your windows. With a guest fishing license you can go after the trout in the lake.

Hiking trails extend out in all directions. The Appalachian Trail, which historically came right around the lake, has been relocated to the West side of the road, but there's a week of hiking on other routes. A gentle one mile trail circles the lake. A strenuous 3 mile round trip trail climbs from the lake to Sharp Top, one of the three peaks, the one shown in the upper left. A side spur goes off to Buzzard's Roost. The view from on top, looking back down at the lake and the lodge, is shown in the upper right. A longer 7 mile loop trail leads up to Harkening Hill and Balance Rock. There's an all day 9 mile trail climbing up to Flat Top Mountain, The Pinnacle and Cross Rock, then descending the back side to Fallingwater Cascades.

Off trail, there is a fascinating bit of history to be found. In February 1945, a B25 Bomber crashed into the side of Sharp Top Mountain, killing its five man crew. The terrain was too rough to remove the wreckage so it remains there to this day. It is not too hard to find by anyone with several hours to spend looking, but is not visible from the trail.

Rangers also conduct programs at Peaks of Otter Lodge. This photo shows one ranger exhibiting arrow heads from the Cherokee and their ancestors, who lived in this protected valley between three peaks for several thousand years. Presentations cover the various animals who live in these mountains, the human history, and the geology of the mountain range.

The lodge itself has become a historical landmark. Accommodations are simple. There is no television and no telephones, no cell phone reception, no computer access. High in the mountains, Peaks of Otter enjoys cool temperatures and no humidity while down in Bedford, Roanoke and Buchanan residents are sweltering in July and August. Since road crews cannot keep the roads open in the harsh Winters, the lodge closes four months a year. But this would be a great place to spend more than one night. The hikes, the ranger programs, and drives north and south along the Blue Ridge Parkway would quickly fill up several days. This would also be a great October getaway. The lodge fills up with reservations four months in advance for the spectacular Fall Color displays.