Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 54
Eye sky
IN
THE
OBSERVATORY OFFERS MORE THAN VIEW
Text and photos by ED REHBEIN
West Virginia's Hanging Rock is a great place
to watch migratory hawks and other birds.
If you like mountaintop panoramas and vistas packed with
receding ridgelines, you'll love the Hanging Rock Raptor
Observatory (HRRO) in Monroe County, WV. Perched atop of
Peters Mountain on the Eastern Continental Divide, the HRRO
has a 360 degree unobstructed view of the mountains and
valleys of southern West Virginia and Virginia. Fifty miles to the
east, the Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway are visible.
Looking north, Cold Knob and the Beech Ridge Wind Farm in
Greenbrier County, though 40 miles distant, are clearly seen.
Though the views are truly telescopic, there's more to see at
Hanging Rock. It's a raptor observatory after all. On a good day
more than 500 migratory hawks can be spotted. Rarer but still
seen are eagles, ospreys and falcons.
With all to see at the HRRO, it's worth a little effort to get to it.
Fortunately, it's only a 0.9 mile hike from the trailhead parking
(GPS: Lat. 37.509877, and Long. -80.438039). The trail follows
a ridgeline uphill and gains 380 feet in elevation. It's rocky in
certain stretches, but is well worn and easy to follow.
September is the peak month for the hawk migration. For more
information: hangingrocktower.org.
MAIN PHOTO: The Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory sits atop the sloping
rocks of Peters Mountain in Monroe County, West Virginia.
INSETS: Glassed on all four sides, the interior of the observatory offers
panoramic views in all directions and information about migratory raptors.
Outside, a deck surrounding the observatory provides telescopic views of the
mountains and ridges of Southern West Virginia and Virginia.
54
BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM
http://www.hangingrocktower.org
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - Intro
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - Cover1
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - Cover2
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 3
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 4
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 5
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 6
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 7
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 8
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 9
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 10
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 11
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Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 18
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Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 34
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 35
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 36
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 37
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Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 39
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 40
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Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 53
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 54
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 55
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Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 73
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - 74
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - Cover3
Blue Ridge Country - September/October 2018 - Cover4
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