Editing Backbone Rock Trail

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-->{{Infobox Trail
 | Image Name = 
 | Trail Number = FS# 53
 | Park = Backbone Rock Recreation Area
 | City = Damascus
 | State = Virginia
 | Marking = Blue
 | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}}
 | Difficulty Rating = Medium
 | Hike Time = 3 Hours
 | Round Trip Distance = 4.6 Mi
 | Trail Distance = 2.3 Mi
 | Trail Type = In-and-Out
 | Elevation Gain = 1,150 Ft
 | Elevation Loss = 
 | High Point = 3,250 Ft
 | Parking coords = 36.59355,-81.81568
 | Trailhead coords = 36.59355,-81.81568
 | Medical = Abingdon, VA
}}<!-- 
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 | KML = Yes
 | Updated KML = 
 | Detail route description = Yes
 | Photos = Yes
 | Winter photos = 
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 | Trail pins = Yes
 | Other = 
 | Comment = 
 | Date reviewed = 10/23/2015
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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 ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
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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The picnic area is day use only.  No permits to hike or climb.  $2 self-pay fee to park at the parking area or picnic grounds.

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

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->

== Maps ==
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<display_map center="36.60,-81.83" type="terrain" zoom="14" gkml=https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Placeholder_trail.kml,https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Appalachian_Trail_TNEastman_Section.kml>
36.60,-81.83~Intersect AT~ ~MarkerT.png
36.59355,-81.81568~Parking lot~ ~MarkerA.png
36.59389,-81.81527~Lower trailhead~ ~MarkerT.png
</display_map>

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

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