- Olson Observation Tower
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Olson Observation Tower Fire Tower 
Olson Observation TowerCountry United States State West Virginia County Tucker Part of Backbone Mountain Range Allegheny Mountains Elevation 3,736 ft (1,138.7 m) [1] Coordinates 39°06′24″N 79°36′12″W / 39.10667°N 79.60333°W Owner Monongahela National Forest Easiest access drive-up via 
FR 717Topo map USGS Mozark Mountain Nearest city Parsons, West Virginia 
Location of Olson Observation Tower in West VirginiaWebsite: Olson Observation Tower Olson Observation Tower is one of the few remaining fire towers in Monongahela National Forest. Olson is located at the southern end of Backbone Mountain northeast of Parsons in Tucker County, West Virginia.
The southern end of Backbone Mountain is the site of West Virginia's first fire tower, originally built by the state in 1922.[1] This tower was later given to Monongahela National Forest, which replaced it in 1963 with the current tower.
The current tower is constructed of steel and features 133 steps leading to a cab on top. While the cab is closed to the public, the entire walkway up to the top is accessible. The tower provides 360-degree views of the surrounding area including the Cheat River watershed, Parsons, Blackwater Canyon, Canaan Mountain, Backbone Mountain and the Otter Creek Wilderness.
Olson Tower is named after Ernst B. Olson in recognition of 28 years of fire control and conservation program service to Monongahela National Forest.
Contents
Other facilities
A small picnic area is located along FR 717 near Olson Tower.
Accessing Olson Tower
Olson Tower is located at the end of Forest Route 717, a spur from Forest Route 18. Both roads are gravel but can easily be traversed by normal passenger cars coming from U.S. Route 219 in the west. While FR 18 provides excellent views of Blackwater Canyon east of FR 717, this section of the road is only traversable by high-clearance vehicles. Passenger car travel is not recommended.
See also
- Bickle Knob, site of another Monongahela National Forest observation tower
- Backbone Mountain
- Blackwater Canyon
- Monongahela National Forest
References
- ^ a b "Olson Observation Tower". Monongahela National Forest. http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/rec/observation_towers/olson_tower.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
National Recreation Areas Wilderness Areas Big Draft Wilderness • Cranberry Wilderness • Dolly Sods Wilderness • Laurel Fork North Wilderness • Laurel Fork South Wilderness • Otter Creek Wilderness • Roaring Plains West Wilderness • Spice Run Wilderness
Observation Towers Bickle Knob • Olson Tower
Lakes Lake Sherwood • Spruce Knob Lake • Summit Lake
Mountains and Summits Allegheny Front • Allegheny Mountain • Back Allegheny Mountain • Backbone Mountain • Barton Knob • Bickle Knob • Champe Rocks • Cheat Mountain • Gaudineer Knob • Mount Porte Crayon • North Fork Mountain • River Knobs • Seneca Rocks • Shavers Mountain • Spruce Knob • Spruce Mountain
Other Major Areas Blackwater Canyon • Camp Allegheny • Bear Rocks Preserve • Canaan Valley • Cheat Summit Fort • Cranberry Glades • Fernow Experimental Forest • Gaudineer Scenic Area • Germany Valley • Highland Scenic Highway • Sinks of Gandy • Smoke Hole Canyon
Rivers and Creeks US Forest ServiceCategories:- Monongahela National Forest
- Buildings and structures in Tucker County, West Virginia
- Visitor attractions in Tucker County, West Virginia
- Fire lookout towers in the United States
- Allegheny Mountains
- Mountains of West Virginia
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