Backbone Rock — Attraction in Mountain City

A very cool tunnel drilled out for easy travel through the shady valley gorge., it's very beautiful in late October when the leaves turn. It's also surrounded by natural coniferous forest and government land and connects to the Appalachian trail for access and a trip over the tunnel carved into the rock. Lots of wildlife around, deer, bear, and grouse. Good trout fishing nearby as well in the creek that parallels the road. It's located south of Damascus, Virginia in the...

So it was definitely kind of miss leading on this trail. If you park at the bottom of the rock face, you have to go up and go the opposite way of the trail to get to the nice views and waterfalls. If you just follow the trail you just run into the AT. Still a great and beautiful hike. Very uphill. Just don't expect a good view at the top haha. There is nothing either way on the AT. The place you want to take pictures is right at the start...

Don't do this, whatever you do- don't ascend the mossy steps (you will slip and die, probably) to view the beautiful rushing river and legion of trees surrounding it. I can't recommend this- it's simply too dangerous for any modern American to take in this natural wonder all at once. You're nearly 200 feet in the air, with only minimal guardrails? In 2018?...