Ride Guide
This rugged mixed-surface out-and-back climbs from downtown Thomas to Olson Observation Tower on some of the quietest roads in the area, a mix of short pavement sections, smoother gravel, and rougher 4WD track. Over roughly the same distance that the Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail descends, this route gains slightly more elevation, offering a different perspective along the canyon rim rather than partway up its walls, with a similar effort and a rewarding payoff at the top.
West Virginia’s first fire tower was built atop Backbone Mountain (3,736’) in 1922 and remained in service until 1963, when it was replaced by the current Olson Tower. Climbing the tower’s 133 steps reveals sweeping views across Blackwater Canyon, the Otter Creek Wilderness, Canaan Mountain, and the broader Cheat River watershed.
For riders on mountain bikes looking to turn the descent into a loop, the 3-mile Canyon Rim Trail begins about a quarter-mile from the tower and provides a fun, intermediate singletrack option that reconnects with Canyon Rim Road. Dispersed campsites can be found near the trailhead junction close to the overlook.
