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2016 Map of Peaks of Otter

Name: 2016 Topographic Map of Peaks of Otter
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2016
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2016

About this map

Peaks of Otter and the surrounding high ridges of the Blue Ridge define the landscape of this Bedford County region. The terrain is characterized by prominent peaks including Flat Top Mtn, Sharp Top Mtn, and Harkening Hill, all set within the protected bounds of the Jefferson National Forest. The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the central elevations, passing Abbott Lake and Sunset Hill, while the Appalachian National Scenic Trail traverses the northern crests near Floyd Mtn and Onion Mtn.

Industrial and settlement history is concentrated in the lower elevations to the south and east. A series of historic mill sites, including Kelso Mill, Penicks Mill, and Big Otter Mill, are located along the drainage of Sheep Cr and the Big Otter River. These names suggest a legacy of water-powered industry that supported local agriculture in valleys like Wheats Valley. Small communities such as Peaksville and Old Mill serve as local hubs, connected by a network of rural roads like Jopling Rd and Meadors Mill Rd.