Virgin Falls State Natural Area
Copy of VF sign1
Copy of VFSNA trail mud
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Copy of VFSNA Big Laurel falls3
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The beautiful cascades on Big Laurel Creek hold a big surprise, they suddenly disappear into the ground only to re-emerge a few hundred yards down the gorge. The area is honeycombed with caves which the water goes in and out of several times.
Copy of Virgin Falls campsite
is located in White County near the community of DeRossett on Hwy. 70. Turn on Eastland Rd., then on Scotts Gulf Rd., look for the Bridgestone / Firestone Centennial Wilderness Area sign and turn right. There are 2 trailheads on that road, Virgin Falls is the second one, it is the parking area on the right.
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Copy of VFSNA stream crossing2
On a hot day it would be nice to take a dip from this rope swing into the Caney Fork river near the campsite! The current was quite strong the day we were there, so swimming would not have been advisable. Interstate 40 crosses this river 4 times!
Copy of VFSNA Big Laurel falls7
Copy of VFSNA trail boulders
Like most other trails on the Cumberland Plateau, the Virgin Falls trail has rockhouses. Expect to get dripped on if you go after a good rainfall!
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I guess the people who left this mess never heard of, "Pack it in, Pack it out!" This was the only trash we saw on the trail. I have a feeling it was left by people who came in by boat from the Caney Fork river; most backpackers are not so irresponsible!
Copy of VFSNA sinkhole
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Kenny took this photo of me crossing the stream with the help of a steel cable. The area is susceptible to flash floods, so stream crossing must be done when the water is not too high.
Copy of VFSNA Fire Pink
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Copy of Virgin Falls double rainbow
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This shaggy orange Lichen grew on a large rock in the campground next to Virgin Falls.
Copy of VFSNA Sheep Cave Falls2
blooms along the lower parts of the trail in April.
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