| Peaks of Otter | |
|---|---|
Abbot Lake and Sharp Top in winter |
|
| Elevation | Sharp Top 3,862 feet (1,177 m) Flat Top 3,994 feet (1,217 m) Harkening Hill 3,372 feet (1,028 m) |
| Location | |
| Location | Bedford / Botetourt counties, Virginia, USA |
| Range | Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS |
| Geology | |
| Type | granite |
| Age of rock | Precambrian |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
The Peaks of Otter are three mountain peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, overlooking the town of Bedford, Virginia, nine miles (14 km) to the southeast along State Route 43. These peaks are
| Sharp Top | 3,862 feet (1,177 m) |
| Flat Top | 3,994 feet (1,217 m) and |
| Harkening Hill | 3,372 feet (1,028 m) . |
Manmade Abbott Lake lies in the valley between the three peaks, behind the Peaks of Otter Lodge and restaurant. The National Park Service preserves the peaks and lake as part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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." 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 story of how the Peaks of Otter got their name is not quite clear, though it does not appear to be related to otters living at the site, but rather a wistful recollection of those who named the mountains - for more detailed information, please see The Peaks of Otter by Thomas A. Markham