Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory closed due to structural concerns, trail remains open

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV

Last month, a visit to the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory by federal officials resulted in the popular platform’s closure due to safety concerns. 

Gwen Mason, Public Affairs Officer for the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Region 8, confirmed the closure to RealWV this week. 

“On November 7, 2024, the decking and support arches were determined to be unstable,” she said. “The trails are still open, but the public is prohibited from entering the building until the observatory can be stabilized. Signs alerting the public are posted on site.”

“We recognize how much the public and our volunteer groups cherish the observatory at Hanging Rock. People love to watch bird migration from this unique view,” said Beth Christensen, Eastern Divide District Ranger. “We are working toward a solution and appreciate the public’s patience.”

Located in Gap Mills, WV, the observatory sits on the crest of Peters Mountain atop the Eastern Continental Divide. Bird-watchers and hikers flock to the site from across the world. It’s the only portion of the national forest that rests in West Virginia, which over the years has led to confusion about jurisdictions. 

“The Eastern Divide Ranger District based in Blacksburg, Virgina, covers a huge amount of National Forest mainly in Virginia with only a small percentage being in West Virginia,” says longtime observatory and trail volunteer Brian Hirt. “Trying to cover an area of this size with very limited funding and manpower is a daunting task if not impossible.”

“I joined the West Virginia Scenic Trails Association and began helping maintain the Allegheny Trail and the Raptor observatory,” Hirt says, after he relocated to the area in the 1990s. 

According to Hirt, an informal group of volunteers has cared for the observatory at Hanging Rock over the years since they are on the trail and at the site on an almost daily basis. 

“Volunteers have done it all at Hanging Rock, from replacing the decking, handrails and windows to putting 140 tons of gravel on the parking lot,” Hirt reports. “Not to mention clearing the trail and mowing the parking area and trail 3 or 4 times a year…We’ve not received financial support from the Forest Service to do any of this. Thankfully we’ve been able to support these projects through grants from partners and donations.”

Hirt and his group of volunteers say they alerted federal officials of the structural issues at the observatory and appreciate their responsiveness.    

“The task of a repair of this magnitude is above and beyond what we feel volunteers can safely do,” according to Hirt. “I’m not saying we aren’t ready and willing to do whatever we can do to help, be it fundraising or carrying lumber, but we need the Forest Service to guide us since after all it is their structure.”

Volunteers have also reached out to the Monroe County Commission and legislators representing Monroe County in hopes of ensuring Hanging Rock receives the attention they feel it deserves. 

They keep a log at the observatory which they occasionally share on their Facebook page, Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory. According to their records, 12,528 people signed in as visitors in 2023 from 46 different states and 29 countries. 

Hirt sees a positive resolution at the end of the process. “I have a theory that the view from there somehow brings out the good in people. If you watch the visitor’s facial expression when they first look out over the mountain tops from the tower, you’ll never see a frown.”

For more information, please contact the Eastern Divide Ranger District at 540-552-4641 or see our visitor’s guide to the site.