Backbone Rock Recreation Area is a part of the Cherokee National Forest, a large National Forest created in 1920 encompassing over 655,000 acres. There are rustic but clean bathroom facilities at Backbone Rock managed by the US Forest Service. The Backbone Rock Recreation Area offers hiking, rappelling, camping, and fishing, including a hike with one trail leading across the top of the rock and another trail taking you to the beautiful 45 foot high Backbone Falls. This short day trip is an excellent adventure (and easily accessible if you are able to walk up a large set of stairs) just minutes away from Damascus. The entire Backbone Trail is a Class 1 endeavorthat is, you’re following what is generally a well-graded, single-track trail interspersed with segments located along dirt and gravel roads (and the rare, but mercifully short road walk). The highest parts of Backbone Rock rise over 100 feet above the ground. Rough Terrain / Scrambling / Rock Climbing. This arch is clearly visible today and makes the short tunnel a very interesting site. The top of the tunnel had to be hand chiseled to resolve the problem, creating an arch in the fin around ten yards thick. After the hole was created and the track was laid, the narrow gauge railroad engine’s smokestack could not pass through the tunnel. The rock is home to what is called “the shortest tunnel in the world.” In the early 1900’s, when the harvesting of timber was the primary industry of Damascus and the surrounding areas, a 20 foot long hole had to be blasted through the rock to accommodate the railroad. The creek offers excellent fishing and swimming. Here is a good angle to take a photo of the tunnel which was created in 1901. Once finished walking on top of the rock, cross the road (be extremely careful) and walk away from the tunnel. The top of the rock is narrow, but has hand rails to hold on to. The ridge is surrounded by a bend in Beaverdam Creek, flowing directly below Backbone Rock. First, from the parking lot, there is a trail which climbs up to walk on top of the rock. Backbone Rock is a solid pillar of rock which is a part of Holston Mountain. We couldn’t see the waterfall at all from behind the wall of the overlook.Backbone Rock Recreation Area in Cherokee National ForestĪ short 10-minute drive outside of Damascus, Virginia is Backbone Rock Recreation Area. When we went in June of 2019 there were several large tree branches that had fallen onto the path. After you cross the top of Backbone Falls the trail continues on a straight path until it hits the descending part of the loop that will take you back to the parking lot. ![]() There’s not much to see here and no railing or walls. There are more stairs next to Backbone Falls that will take you to the top. We continued on from here, but if you want an easy hike, simply turn around and go back the way you came. Keep climbing the stairs until you reach Backbone Falls on your left. This trail can be accessed from Trippet Ranch and leads to Eagle Rock, a popular destination for hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. The Backbone Falls Trail is a short trail (0.4 miles) which takes visitors to the forty foot tall Backbone Falls. Its flanks offer excellent rock climbing and rapelling opportunities, as. Access to the trail is unique hikers can ride the chair lift up and hike down or hike up and ride the chair down or hike both ways. Climb the stairs and you’ll see a sign (Caution Steep Trail With Uneven Footings and Sharp Dropoffs). Backbone Rock is a pillar, forming a solid fin of stone on a ridge of Holston Mountain. This self-guided trail provides you with an opportunity to observe and learn about plants and animals of the high country. However, if you go to the far right of the parking lot without climbing those stairs, you’ll see a walkway right next to the road separated by a fence. The trail marker is at the front of the parking area next to a staircase leading to the beginning of the trail. The trail is a loop trail, however I recommend that you hike it as an out and back, especially after it has rained recently as the end of the loop is downhill and slippery after rainfall. Backbone Falls is located on the Backbone Falls Trail. ![]() There are many trails in this area that are fun to hike. Backbone Falls is an easy hike to a pretty waterfall located in Backbone Falls Recreation Area.
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