Birch Knob Observation Tower...and a Timber Rattlesnake!!

Yesterday I had some free time, so I took a drive up to Birch Knob Observation Tower in the Jefferson National Forest. The tower is at an elevation over 3,000 ft., and you can see 5 states from it's summit (Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia, and sometimes even Ohio on a clear day!). Although the day was a bit overcast, it was still quite a view! I also found a lost dog stuck at the top of the tower, but luckily I was able to call his owner from the information on his tag and let him know where he was. Seems that Kane the dog was from Kentucky and had been lost a few days ago while his owner was out hunting with him. I was glad he was able to make it home safely!

Today we were out doing salamander coverboard checks- the weather finally cleared, as this is the first day in 5 that we have not had any thunderstorms. I think all the reptiles were enjoying the sunny but still fairly cool weather (upper 70s). We found a timber rattlesnake in the dirt road while driving around checking the boards! He (or she) was real pretty, and we were glad we got to see it up close and personal in a safe way.


I took some good pictures, enjoy!

The staircase leading up to the observation tower. There are 183 steps!

View of Pine Mountain from the top of the tower. Pine Mtn. separates Kentucky (left) from Virginia (right). The tower is actually in Va.

View from the top of Birch Knob Tower. Va and then Tennessee in the distance, I think.

Timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus. Love the scientific name! He's rattling at us in this one.

Attempting to move off the road after rattling at us for 10min.

Making a break for cover.