The trail, at least the dolomite cliffs part, isn’t for those afraid of heights or those unable to navigate up and down rocky terrain. Backbone is marked with 4 on this partial map of the park.īut the pièce de résistance has to be the Backbone trail, which manages to have both dolomite to scuttle over as well as a shady, wooded loop, bringing you down to the river’s edge and back up to the parking lot, all in under a mile. They cover a wide variety of terrain, from a lake loop to a prairie walk to a hike that leads to a cave and more-all definitely worth exploring. But you can also drive up to the top and walk along for the incredible views without needing ropes and harnesses (and rock-climbing skills).īackbone has seven trails encompassing 21 miles within its more than 2,000 acres. Dolomite limestone you’ll walk over at Backbone. Dedicated in 1920, its most recognizable feature is the “Devil’s Backbone,” dolomite limestone bedrock that juts straight upward from the winding Maquoketa River below in what appears, from above, to resemble the vertebrae of a spine. You can’t ask 10 Northeast Iowa hike enthusiasts about their favorite spots without at least nine of them mentioning this stunningly unique place.īackbone State Park in Dundee is officially Iowa’s very first state park. Follow along here, or on social media using #AmieTakesAHike, to pass along your suggestions and see where I’m headed next. To our delight we were practically on top of it.I’m hiking every state park or other cool hiking place I can think of around my home state, to showcase the natural beauty Iowa has to offer. We talked about how far we thought we had come along and decided we just had to be near the intersection. I caught up to Rhonda and Tammy at a campsite where they were taking a short break. It doesn’t happen, you keep walking filled with expectation and you keep getting disappointed as the trail stretches on and on. As you turn a corner, round a bend, come out of the undergrowth you expect to see the intersection or some other landmark. You decide you’ve probably walked far enough to be further along than you are. This sight is not one a body enjoys from the couch at home. The rain and mist made the forest seem ethereal. My jacket soaked through and proved it’s unworthiness as true rain gear for lengthy exposure. The pants I chose did their job, the material proving it’s worth in the inclement conditions. The trail is well maintained, but there were places where it was overgrown and I lifted my arms and passed through weedy patches, the wet weeds slapping my legs and drenching my wet pants. We made our way along the trail, which is well marked with blue blazes. There is a spur trail that takes one to the top of the rock. Today, in the rain, we had the parking lot to ourselves.Īt the top of the stairs we turned left and headed towards the AT. It is a popular rappelling and rock climbing spot. A tunnel was cut through the rock by a railroad company. Backbone Rock itself is a rocky spur off Holston Mountain in Shady Valley, Tennessee in the Cherokee National Forest. We started up the awesome rock stair steps toward the top of Backbone Rock. One crosses the road to see the Falls.īackbone Rock trail head is at the back of the parking area marked with a trail sign beside a huge set of steps. It is one of two trails accessed from this parking area. The Falls are not huge, but they are lovely, falling 40 ft to a pool in the base of a small gorge. There are rock steps and unprotected ledges. Hiking provides an extremely important physical outlet.īackbone Falls Trail is a short loop hike that climbs up above Backbone Falls and crosses over the top of the Falls then heads back down. This would lead to a bad outcome after a while. If rain is to determine my plans, my plans would be to lay in bed and read. Looking at the weather bug app, I see a chance for rain every day. I have decided that rain should be no deterrent. I have been caught out on the trail and the rain roll in, but to deliberately leave the dry comfort of home in a steady rain…well it was a first.
This hike is the first one I have set out on in the rain. On a rainy Saturday morning, Tammy, Rhonda and I headed out for an adventure.
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