ember glow

As Autumn ignites, 

The leaves burn with ember glow. 

They fall like ashes. 

-Jack Taggert- 

Pictured above is Beaverdam Creek on a rainy autumn day. The creek flows past what has been called "the world's shortest tunnel," Backbone Rock. This tunnel was drilled through a narrow spur ridge in 1901 to connect a railroad between Shady Valley, TN and Damascus, VA.

The area is great to explore (preferably on a non-rainy day). There's a nearby waterfall, a trail leading to an overlook above the tunnel, as well as picnic and camping facilities.

For directions, click here.
See also the Cherokee National Forest webpage.

don't be afraid

Don't be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated; you can't cross a chasm in two small jumps.
--David Lloyd George (1863-1945) British Prime Minister. 

Above: The view from the base of Backbone Rock Falls looking downstream into the rocky chasm on a rainy day.

backbone falls

The individual activity of one man with backbone will do more than a thousand men with a mere wishbone. 
--William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) Presbyterian minister and motivational speaker.  

Above: Backbone Falls in Johnson County, TN. For information about Backbone Rock and Backbone Falls and for directions, click here.

Backbone Rock Tunnel

Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnel. 
--John Quinton

Here's the 'World's Shortest Tunnel' through Backbone Rock on Hwy 133 between Shady Valley, TN and Damascus, VA.  It was constructed in 1901 for hauling timber from Tennessee to a nearby saw mill outside of Damascus. Unable to go around the 75' high, 20' wide wall of rock, they decided to blast their way through. Check out these early photos of the tunnel. Today there is a short trail which takes you up to the top of Backbone Rock, and another trail that takes you to a nearby waterfall, Backbone Falls.  This area is popular with motorcycle enthusiasts as part of "The Snake" (map here) -- and also with repellers.

daring confidence

Faith is a living, daring confidence in God's grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.
--Martin Luther (1483-1546) Theologian

Rappelling at Backbone Rock. For directions and information, click here and here.

The World's Shortest Tunnel

Carve a tunnel of hope through the dark mountain of disappointment.
--Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) Minister and Civil-Rights Leader

Click here and here for more info and directions to the "world's shortest tunnel" found in Johnson County, TN, eight miles from Shady Valley, TN and five miles south of Damascus, VA. Click the thumbnail to the right to see a map posted at Backbone Rock of the available trails and campsites.

Backbone Rock

Up the road from the Blue Hole and "The Snake" on Highway 133 in Johnson County, TN is Backbone Rock. Unlike the Natural Tunnel in southwest Virginia, this tunnel is man-made. Its original purpose was as a railroad tunnel to haul timber out of the forest. (More history here). Today, the area is part of the Cherokee National Forest. There are picnic and camp sites available, along with fishing and hiking opportunities. Two trails begin next to the parking area on the Shady Valley side of the tunnel. The Backbone Rock Trail is an interesting climb to the top of the tunnel (a spur off of this trail connects with the AT 2.4 miles away). The Backbone Falls Trail is a short trail (0.4 miles) which takes visitors to the forty foot tall Backbone Falls. The trail makes a loop -- climbing up a series of stairs and then crossing the falls at the top before winding you back down more stairs and then back to the road. It's really well done. The waterfall is 'low flow' but is nestled in a beautiful rocky gorge. This might not be the best one for families with young children as there are many dangerous ledges along the way.

Directions: From Elizabethton, take Highway 91 (Stony Creek Road) to Shady Valley. At the main intersection in Shady Valley, continue straight toward Damascus, VA on Highway 133 for 8 miles to the park. (In all, it's 30 miles from Elizabethton). See map. Also, click here for a map of the immediate area around Backbone Rock.