Olson Firetower

The Olson Firetower was built in 1922 by the state of West Virginia, Backbone Mountain was the original site of the state’s very first fire tower. Subsequently, it was transferred to the Monongahela National Forest and remained in service until 1963 when it was replaced.

Perched atop the mountain, Olson Tower offers visitors the chance to ascend 133 steps for awe-inspiring panoramic views. While the cabin at the top is not accessible to the public, you’re welcome to climb up to just below it. From this vantage point, you can behold breathtaking vistas of Parsons town, the Blackwater Canyon, Otter Creek Wilderness, Canaan Mountain, and the Cheat River watershed.

Olson Tower can be found on Backbone Mountain in Tucker County, reaching an elevation of approximately 3,736 feet above sea level. Accessible for most of the year via a dirt road, the area also features a variety of trails, including the 3-mile-long Canyon Rim Trail #117, which begins just 0.1 miles below the picnic area, and the 4.1-mile Limerock Trail #142, located along Forest Road 18.

Olson Firetower – 100 Foot Tower

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Back in the 1963, the Forest Service ran into a problem with their 60-foot Backbone Mountain Firetower, constructed in 1922 by State of West Virginia.The trees had grown too tall around the tower, and it was decided to scrap the 40-year old tower and replace it with a 100 foot Aermotor tower, with the ability to climb to the roof of the tower via a ladder for even better views (!!) Aermotor offered towers up to 175 feet.

The Forest Service bought a 100 foot tower, name Olson Firetower, to put on the mountain, which is still an impressive height as the tallest fire-tower in New York State is only 70 foot (Wakely Mountain). It's a good climb for sure at 30 feet higher then Wakely and is 133 steps to the cabin.

The circa-1963 Olson Tower is named after Ernst B. Olson in recognition of 28 years of fire control and conservation program service to Monongahela National Forest.

Taken on Thursday October 26, 2023 at Olson Firetower.

Flat Land – No the Allegheny Front

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You might think the this area looks remarkably flat, but looks can be deceiving from the Olson Firetower which is on Backbone Mountain at 3,650 feet.

The range in the distance is the Allegheny Front (the Eastern Continental Divide), indeed it tops out at above 4,200 feet elevation with Petersburgh on the east side beyond it only about 1,000-1,500 feet elevation. The west side of Allegheny Front isn't as big of a drop, but the Canaan Valley is still only 3,200-3,500 feet elevation.

In the middle you can see the smoke stacks of the Mount Storm Coal Power Plant, the largest in the northeastern West Virginia which is a major electricity source for the Greater Washington DC area.

 

Taken on Thursday October 26, 2023 at Monongahela National Forest.

North from the Olson Firetower

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North from the Olson Firetower, with US 219 snaking around the side of Backbone Mountain. Limestone Mountain in the mid-range, and in background is Laurel Mountain.

Taken on Thursday October 26, 2023 at Olson Firetower.

Farm Country North of Parsons

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Farm country in hills north of Parsons, near an area known as Lead Mine, WV.

This area is famous as it was where several photos of the Vagabonds -- Thomas Edison, John Burroughs, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone -- were taken in 1918 of them camping in hills. About two decades later this area was home to a large CCC Camp that worked on reforestation projects in the area.

As seen from the Olson Fire Tower.

Taken on Thursday October 26, 2023 at Monongahela National Forest.