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Mendota Fire Tower
Mendota Fire Tower
The Mendota Fire Tower Hawkwatch site is located atop Clinch Mountain at the abandoned fire tower near Mendota, Virginia. A hawkwatch has been conducted during fall migration each year since 1958 at this site. Clinch Mountain is a 150 mile long ridge that runs from near Burke's Garden in Tazewell County, Virginia to Blaine, Tennessee. It runs generally Northeast to Southwest and divides the Clinch River drainage to the north and the Holston River drainage to the south.
The site is on the Russell and Washington County lines and is at an elevation of 3000 feet. As is usual with a fire tower location there is a 360 degree view with Moccasin Valley and Pine Mountain to the North and Mendota and the Holston River to the south.
Access to this site requires a moderately strenuous 25 minute hike on the old fire tower access road. There are no facilities so be sure to bring water, sunscreen, raingear, chair, snacks and lunch and binoculars. There are no restrooms.
Directions to site:
Directions to site:
TRAVELING FROM LEBANON/RICHLANDS/GRUNDY
Take Route 19 towards Abingdon. At Hansonville turn right on Route 58. Travel 3.3 miles then turn left on Moccasin Valley Road (Route 613). Travel 9.9 miles on Moccasin Valley Road then turn left on Tower Road (County Road 612). Travel 2.7 miles on Tower Road. On the left there will be a rutted dirt road, park nearby and walk to the tower on the dirt road.
TRAVELING FROM ABINGDON VIRGINIA
Take Route 19 towards Lebanon. After crossing the North Fork Holston River turn left onto Mendota Road (Route 802). Travel 14.1 miles on Mendota Road. Turn right onto Pinnacle Road. Travel 3 miles on Pinnacle Road. There will be a rutted dirt road on the right. Park nearby and walk to the tower on the rutted dirt road.
TRAVELING FROM BRISTOL, VA
Take Virginia Exit 1 on I-81. Take Route 58/421 towards Gate City, VA. Take Gate City Highway (Route 58/421) 11 miles then turn right on Route 615. Travel approximately 6 miles on Route 615 then turn left on Route 614, then right on Route 802 at MendotaTravel approximately 1 mile on Route 802 then turn laft on Pinnacle Road. Travel 3 miles on Pinnacle Road. On the right there will be a rutted dirt road. Park nearby then walk to the tower on the rutted dirt road.
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