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| Laurel Falls |
Feb. 25 - Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness, DeRossett, TN.
8 miles RT moderate to strenuous with 800 ft elevation change. This hike features Big Laurel Falls, Sheep Cave, 110 ft Virgin Falls and the Caney Fork River! Virgin Falls is awesome because there is no stream above or below the falls. The source of Virgin Falls is a creek emerging from Virgin Falls Cave, located 150 ft. from the top of the falls. At the base of the falls, the water disappears into Virgin Falls Pit.
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| Virgin Falls |
Virgin Falls is 1,157-acre natural area located adjacent to the Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness in White County. The natural area is named for Virgin Falls, which is formed by an underground stream that emerges from a cave, then drops over a 110-foot high cliff before disappearing into another cave at the bottom of the sink. The area is noted for its unique geological features and several (additional) other waterfalls including Big Laurel, Sheep Cave Falls, and Big Branch Falls. The caves at Virgin Falls include Big Laurel, Sheep Cave, and Virgin Falls Cave. The sinkholes at Virgin Falls, such as Virgin Falls Sink and Sheep Cave Sink, are characteristic of karst features found on the Cumberland Plateau. The Caney Fork River and its tributaries drain the area and contribute to the formation of the gorge. The Caney Fork Overlook provides a dramatic view of Scott's Gulf and the Caney Fork River 900 ft below. For a map of the area look here:
http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/virgin/virgin.pdf
Photos supplied by Robert Davis. Hike lead by Jim and Marietta Poteet.
