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.

From Rails to Trails

Here is one of the forty-seven trestles found along the Virginia Creeper Trail. This particular structure is found in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area outside of Damascus, Virginia. The Creeper Trail, created from a section of an old railroad line, stretches thirty-four miles from the VA/NC border to Abingdon, VA. Click here to read an interesting account of the difficult transition from "rails to trails." Because of it's gentle grade, the trail is very popular with hikers and bicyclists, and boasts over 100,000 visitors per year. Click here for more info from the VA Creeper Trail Club.

Virginia Creeper Trail

This is one of the best and most popular outdoor recreation destinations in our area. The 34 mile Creeper Trail runs along an old railroad bed from Abingdon through Damascus ending near the North Carolina line at Whitetop, VA. While it is popular with hikers and horseback riders, it is as a biking destination that it is best known. There are bike rental shops in both Damascus and Abingdon -- and even shuttle outfits that will bus you to the top of the trail at Whitetop so you can ride downhill for 17 miles (2.5 to 3 hours) to your car in Damascus. Click here for more information and maps. [Above is a view from the Abingdon trail head -- click to enlarge.]