Editing US421 to Damascus

{{Trail
|Banner Image=File:MtRogersSign.jpg
|Trail System=Appalachian Trail
|City=Erwin
|Land Owner=Cherokee National Forest
|Trail Marking=White
|Trail Use=Hiking, Camping
|Trail Features=Vistas, Mountains
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Hike Time=5 hrs
|Trail Distance=11.3 mi
|Round Trip Distance=22.4 mi
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|High Point=3,913 ft
|Low Point=3,204 ft
|Elevation Gain=1,682 ft
|Elevation Loss=1,854 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=South-to-North
|Parking location=36.53868, -81.94907
|Trailhead location=36.53868, -81.94907
}}
{{Trail Map}}

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== Trail Overview ==

== How to get there ==

== Route Description ==

(Trail South > North)

=== Low Gap - US421 === 

Road crossing at US421. This is the closest access point to Bristol, TN/VA. Small parking area along roadside.

=== McQueen's Knob and McQueen's Knob Shelter === 

[[Shelter:McQueens Knob|McQueen's Knob Shelter]] (3840') was built in 1934 and is an original AT log shelter. Today, it is no longer used as an official shelter and should only be used for emergencies. It has a dirt floor and no nearby water.

=== McQueen Gap Road === 

Last road access before reaching Damascus, VA. Parking is not advised here.

=== Abingdon Gap Shelter === 

[[Shelter:Abingdon Gap|Abingdon Gap Shelter]] (3773') is a concrete block shelter built by the United States Forest Service in 1959.

=== Backbone Rock Trail === 

[[Backbone Rock Trail]] is located 4.6 miles south of Damascus. It offers a 2.3 mile blue blaze trail on a narrow ridge from the AT to Backbone Rock Recreation Area which has camping and picnic facilities at a prominent rock wall which TN133 tunnels through just south of Damascus.

=== Tennessee/Virginia State Line === 

The "Welcome to Mount Rogers National Recreation Area" signifies entry into Virginia. It is a popular photo spot after the long ridge walk along Cross and Holston Mountains.

== Damascus, Virginia ==

The intersection of Laurel Avenue & Reynolds Street is the northern boundary of TEHCC-sponsored Trail. [http://mratc.pbworks.com/ Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club] sponsors the Trail from this point north through the Grayson Highlands. Damascus, aka Trail Town USA, has a number of outfitters and is home to the annual Trail Days celebration.

== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}

{{Template:AT_Segments}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=TEHCC Terminus
|Marker Description=Northern Terminus of the TEHCC maintained portion of the AT. Closest access is to hike in/out of Damascus.
|Marker Location=36.6141747036, -81.8257268308
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Shelter
|Marker Title=Abingdon Gap Shelter
|Marker Location=36.5811291010, -81.902059119
}}