Backbone Rock Trail: Difference between revisions

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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article.  
{{Infobox Trail
-->{{Infobox Trail
                    | Image Name = placeholder.jpg
| Image Name =  
                    | City = Damascus
| Trail Number = FS# 53
                    | State = Virginia
| Park = Backbone Rock Recreation Area
                    | Marking = Blue Rectangle
| City = Damascus
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}}  
| State = Virginia
                    | Difficulty Rating = Medium
| Marking = Blue
                    | Hike Time = 3
| Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}}
                    | Distance = 4.6
| Difficulty Rating = Medium
                    | Elevation Gain = 1150
| Hike Time = 3 Hours
                    | High Point = 3250
| Round Trip Distance = 4.6 Mi
                    | Latitude = 36.59355
| Trail Distance = 2.3 Mi
                    | Longitude = -81.81568
| Trail Type = In-and-Out
                    | Medical = Abingdon, VA
| Elevation Gain = 1,150 Ft
}}
| Elevation Loss =
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
| High Point = 3,250 Ft
 
| Parking coords = 36.59355,-81.81568
<!-- Start of Main Page -->
| Trailhead coords = 36.59355,-81.81568
 
| Medical = Abingdon, VA
}}<!--  
End Infobox template table
-->{{Trail page needs
| Hide needs =
| KML = Yes
| Updated KML =
| Detail route description = Yes
| Photos = Yes
| Winter photos =
| Remove prefix =
| Update infobox =
| Infobox data update =
| Trail pins = Yes
| Other =
| Comment =
| Date reviewed = 10/23/2015
}}<!--  
Start of Main Page -->
== Trail Overview ==
== 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. -->
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== Maps ==
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<display_map center="36.60,-81.83" type="terrain" zoom="14" gkml=http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Placeholder_trail.kml,http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Appalachian_Trail_TNEastman_Section.kml>
<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~ ~MarkerG.png
36.60,-81.83~Intersect AT~ ~MarkerT.png
36.59355,-81.81568~Parking lot~ ~MarkerA.png
36.59355,-81.81568~Parking lot~ ~MarkerA.png
36.59389,-81.81527~Lower trailhead~ ~MarkerG.png
36.59389,-81.81527~Lower trailhead~ ~MarkerT.png
</display_map>
</display_map>


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</gallery>
</gallery>


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

Latest revision as of 11:12, 7 January 2023

[[Image:|350px]]
Trail Name Backbone Rock Trail
Trail Number FS# 53
Park Backbone Rock Recreation Area
Nearest City Damascus
State Virginia
Trail Marking Blue
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.png Dnr dog.png
Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking Time 3 Hours0.188 Days <br />180 Min <br />
Distance:
round-trip/trail only
4.6 Mi7.403 km <br /> / 2.3 Mi3.701 km <br />
Trail Type In-and-Out
Climb/Descent Elevation 1,150 Ft350.52 Meters <br /> /
High Point 3,250 Ft1,083.333 Yards <br />990.6 Meters <br />
Parking 36° 35' 36.78" N, 81° 48' 56.45" W
Trailhead 36° 35' 36.78" N, 81° 48' 56.45" W
Nearest Medical Abingdon, VA
Trip Reports Click Here
Loading map...
Show Large Map

Trail Overview[edit]

Steep connecting trail between Backbone Rock Recreation Area and the AT.

How to get there[edit]

From Johnson City, TN

  1. North on US-231 to Elizabethton.
  2. Turn left/north onto US-19E and stay in right lane.
  3. Take first exit onto TN-91 (Stoney Creek/Shady Valley) – travel about 22 miles.
  4. 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[edit]

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 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[edit]

Generally in good condition as an access trail to TEHCC’s former AT Section #1 (Damascus to Backbone Rock Trail - which was transferred to MRATC in 2013).

As reported in 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 underway to improve trail. Both 2015 Konnarock crew weeks will be invested.

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

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[edit]

Misc. Information[edit]

Maps[edit]

Loading map...

Photos[edit]