Though the fall colors were a bit muted this year in Blacksburg, they were brilliant at Peaks of Otter. I hiked up Sharp Top, expecting a relaxing three-mile hike and having forgotten that those are a steep 1.5 miles! The view of Flat Top, in all its fall glory, was worth it.

The 1.5 mile round-trip hike to Fallingwater Cascades was much easier. The loop follows alongside the cascade and provides numerous photo opportunities. Photo date: October 19, 2016.