This year, the Grand Extravaganza will take us on a hiking tour of Peaks of Otter and Hike Sharp Top. The Peaks of Otter is a beautiful spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It offers a relaxing set of trails around a lake and also hiking opportunities to the top of Sharp Top Mountain. A bus located at the Peaks will be available to take visitors to near the top of Sharp Top. For those who prefer not to hike the 1.5 mile and 1,300 ft elevation gain trail up to the top of Sharp Top, there is a shuttle service that transports visitors up to within a 15-minute walk from the top. 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. Johnson Farm is a historically restored site along one of the side trails towards Harkening Hill. The house and outbuildings are preserved in their 1930's form along with gardens and a small orchard. Visitors can take free tours of the farmhouse from June–September. From June–October the National Park Service provides various Ranger programs. There is also a small visitor center run by the National Park Service.

 

Be sure to dress appropriately for the hike!

 

Afterwards, we'll have dinner at Ballast Point Brewery. Ballast Point Brewery is located in beautiful Botetourt County with great views and atmosphere to highlight their food and craft beers.
 
More information on Ballast Point can be found at https://www.ballastpoint.com/location/ballast-point-daleville/

 
The $150 fee includes transportation from/to Hotel Roanoke, hike guides, and the cost of dinner.

 

Buses will leave the Hotel Roanoke after the closing ceremonies on Tuesday, June 11.