Editing Backbone Rock Trail

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{{Infobox Trail
                     | Image Name = placeholder.jpg
                     | City = Damascus
                     | State = Virginia
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} 
                     | Difficulty Rating = Medium
                     | Hike Time = 3
                     | Distance = 4.6
                     | Elevation Gain = 1150
                     | High Point = 3250
                     | Latitude = N36°35.613
                     | Longitude = W081°48.941
                     | Medical = Abingdon, VA
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                     | googlemap = 
<googlemap lat="36.59355" lon="-81.81568"  zoom="9" width="270" type="map" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
36.59355, -81.81568, Backbone Rock Trail
</googlemap>
}}
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== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
Steep connecting trail between Backbone Rock Recreation Area and the AT.

== How to get there ==
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From Johnson City, TN 
#North on US-231 to Elizabethton.
#Turn left/north onto US-19E and stay in right lane. 
#Take first exit onto TN-91 (Stoney Creek/Shady Valley) – travel about 22 miles.
#At Shady Valley, continue straight/north on TN-133 for another ten miles.
Parking lot is on left just short of the tunnel through Backbone Rock.  Trailhead is at back of parking area.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The blue-blazed Backbone Rock Trail (Forest Service #53) starts at the recreation parking area by the tunnel on Highway TN-133.  The initial section climbs many steps to the top of Backbone Rock.  A 0.25 mile spur trail to the right crosses over the Backbone Rock formation to a picnic area.  (Warning:  this spur route has steep drop-offs with no railing on one side.)  The main trail continues to the left.  At ~1.5 miles, the path begins a 0.2 mile straight up climb (no switchbacks) to the Holston Mountain ridgeline and the [[US421 to Damascus|Appalachian Trail]].  Head right/north for Damascus in four miles or left/south for Highway US-421 in ten miles.  Trail mileage given in the Infobox is for an up-and-down hike from the parking lot.

== Typical Conditions ==
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Generally in good condition as an access trail to TEHCC’s AT Section #1 (Damascus to Backbone Rock Trail).

As reported in [http://tehcc.org/pdf/newsletters/news201104.pdf April 2011 newsletter], TEHCC will flag Backbone Rock trail for relocation request and submit proposal to allow a loop hike from Iron Mountain. Relocation work might start in 2013.  From the March 9, 2011 Partnership Meeting for TEHCC, ATC, and USFS.   

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
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No permit or fee.  The picnic area is day use only.  

== After the Hike ==
<!-- Anywhere interesting to stop by since you're in the area!! -->

== Misc. Information ==
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== Maps ==
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<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.60" lon="-81.83" type="terrain" zoom="14" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Placeholder_trail.kml
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Appalachian_Trail_TNEastman_Section.kml

(G) 
Intersect AT
(A) 36.59355, -81.81568
Parking lot 
</googlemap>

== Photos ==
<gallery>
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Image:placeholder.jpg
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</gallery>

[[Category: Tennessee]]  [[Category: Medium]]