Powell Valley Overlook — Attraction in Virginia

Powell Valley is a picturesque location, with an overlook accessible from the Northbound lanes of U.S. Route 23. A number of homes, farms, and a church are located in the valley below the overlook. The valley begins between Powell Mountain and Little Stone Mountain where the waters of the Powell River flow down from the rugged mountains of western Wise County. The immense exposed rock face where Stone Mountain and Powell Mountain come together near Grindstone Ridge to the southeast from the overlook, yields a striking visual change in altitude. Within only 0.8 mile the vertical elevation changes by 2,000 feet ( 610 meters ) across the northern face of the Grindstone Ridge Dome of the High Knob Massif, to mark one of the greatest short-distance vertical elevation changes in the southern Appalachians ( the greatest found west of the Blue Ridge...

Overlooks are often overatedlooks. This is an overlook that keeps on giving. I've stopped here often and it rarely feels the same twice. On a clear morning it's a crisp view of the mountains and the awakening community below. My favorite, by far, is on a foggy morning where it's often above the clouds giving you a majestic view of the mountains alone with the community below covered in a white cotton blanket hiding the human influence on our landscape. Later in the day you catch the sun setting and absorb another unique feel. And then at night, it's dark, and you can't see a thing silly. Definitely a recommended stop... In...

A stunning view under the right conditions (see photos). A beautiful view/over look under most conditions. Would have to say sunrise/early mornings offer the best options in spring and summer. Daytime/winter with heavy snowfall is well worth stopping for. Wonderful photo opportunities with the fall foliage. At night/after dark during lightening you can capture AWARD WINNING pictorial shots. Have seen several breath taking rainbows here. If you have stopped once before but you love unique photos make it a habit of stopping. You never know what the visual cornucopia will offer on any given day or...