My Virgin Falls Expedition

    

     I overheard some bar customers one night talking about a place they called Virgin Falls.  I was eaves dropping and heard words like "waterfalls", and "caves". Their conversation had peaked my interest.  I wondered why I had never heard of such a place. I did some research and found out that Virgin Falls is on a wildlife management area, and not on a state park.  Its more of a locals area.  Also, the falls flow at the end of a rough, five mile hike. Its estimated that you allow for up to six hours to complete the whole trek.  Not exactly the kind of place you can park the family van and walk everyone across the street to have a look at the beautiful waterfall.  

 The trail did however have the highest ratings of any trail I had ever seen in Tennessee.  Those that had hiked and reviewed it,  raved about how amazing it was.  

I was convinced. All that was left was to find someone to go with, which is not exactly easy for me.  My days off are different than most peoples, Thursdays and Fridays.  Not only that but I have to find someone thats okay with eating, sleeping, and shiting out in the wilderness for a couple of days.  

    Fortunately I was able to find two perfect companions.  Their names are Casha, and Josh. Casha grew up near Virgin Falls and has prior experience there, while Josh definitely shares my sense of adventure and is in great physical shape.  The trio was formed.  We planned to backpack in, spend one night and two days in the area, and see what the place had to offer.   After some coordination, the plan was set and we left on a Thursday morning.

    After a 2 hour drive from Nashville, we found ourselves entering the Bridgestone/Firestone Wildlife Management area. The drive in was on a dirt, gravel road surrounded by a dense, lush forest. A mother doe and fawn crossed the road in front of us and disappeared into the woods.

Shortly thereafter we found the parking area and trailhead.  After doublechecking our gear, we started the hike.    The trail was wide and easy to follow.   The first half mile wound between towering red oak and maple trees.  Then the trail became surrounded by thick rhododendren.  Adjacent to us was a narrow, rocky creek.   Its was dry from drought conditions.  We followed this creek until it fed into a much larger stream.  This stream held some water in pools but little was flowing. Either side had become quite steep and soon pines made up much of the woodland.  The constantly changing environment made for an entertaining and aesthetic hike.

After trekking approximately two relatively easy miles, we came upon a fork in the road. We were presented with the option of hiking the upper trail for a scenic, longer hike, or the lower trail which was a short cut to Laurel Falls, our designated base camp.  We were all in agreement and went gung-ho for the upper trail. 

The trail ran parallel with gargantuan,  tall boulders that jutted up from a steep hillside. The first one we came to we dropped our packs, scoped out a good climb, and began scaling on it. We warmed up on a crack that ran between two boulders.  It went about 15 feet high and was pretty difficult.  After getting up some confidence we graduated on to the larger ones and scaled them too. We were now feeling good and ready to try and climb the biggest boulder we could find. 

We found the largest one the trail and began climbing. We made our way easily up the first ten feet. Then we had to crawl under a ledge with large cobwebs and spiders just inches above our heads. After the ledge, a group of pine trees made for some good hand-holds which enabled us to reach the top of the rock face. There we are rewarded with a spectacular view.  Miles and miles of rich woodland, cut steeply by the Caney Fork River lay in view. It looked like a very long V.  The sky was a deep, summertime blue, and you could count the number of clouds on one hand.  Visibility enabled us to enjoy this view for miles.  This was not a site you could pull up to in your car.  We earned it.  

After some high fives, we climbed down and returned to the main trail. We got a little lost but eventually made it back on the main trail.  From there the hiking got more steep and was definitely a work out with the packs on.  Before long we reached what would become basecamp, Laurel Falls.

   In the winter and spring months this area is rushing with water and Laurel Falls is quite the sight to behold.  Now however, during a typical dry Tennessee summer, the falls were more like a trickle. Though the area is still amazing. The mouth of the cave that the falls flow over is probably 60 yards wide.   If it helps with perspective, the two, tiny, white specks in the middle of the picture above, is Josh and Casha.  The rest is the mouth of the cave.

 

We set up camp and ate lunch.  We discussed what to do next and decided to go ahead and hike the remaining 3 miles into Virgin Falls. On the way however, we came upon a fork in the road. One trail lead to the Caney Fork River, and the other would take us to Virgin Falls.  Upon discussion, we decided to leave the falls for the following day and instead head towards the river. 

The narrow side trail wound its way steeply downhill around many small boulders.  In the distance the roar of the river was becoming increasingly audible. We were hot, dirty, and a swim seemed like great idea.  After about a mile, the trail flattened out and a small wooden sign pointed us in the direction of the Caney Fork River.  

  Old campfires and ATV trails were visible throughout the area. Large conifers lined the river banks.  The trio approaches the river and its there that we noticed a rope swing. It hung from a large branch that extended out over what seemed like a deep pool of water. We looked at each other with jubilation and laughed.  

   The swing swung out probably thirty feet from the shore and offered a drop from about ten feet high off the water. We took turns for about half an hour,  each time trying to go the highest or perform some kind of trick.  Casha busted out a very impressive back-flip.  Josh was determined to do one too and actually did before we  left.  We took some action photos of each of us and was able to capture Casha, mid-backflip.

Re-energized, we hiked back to camp, made a fire, and settled in for the night.  We sipped some whiskey, ate cold pizza, talked about woman, sports, and our day, and crashed pretty early.

 After some good half-drunken sleep, we ate breakfast, rehydrated, made fun of Casha for his druken antics the night before(Don't worry Casha. Your secrets somewhat safe with me),  and began our hike to Virgin Falls. After approximately a mile into the hike, we noticed a steep trail that led to the bottom of an escarpment. The trail was so steep that a rope was left to aid those wanting to traverse down it. Gung-ho seemed to be the theme for this trio and so we started down the steep embankment.

  The descent was very muddy from a recent rain, and even though we had the rope,  there were still a few slips.  There was also a plant named stinging metals on either side of the trail.  When you touched this plant, you felt as if you were getting stung by a small bee, and the itching that followed was quite uncomfortable.  

 

We eventually made it to the bottom,  where there was a cavern about twenty feet high and went back about thirty feet.  Loose boulders wobbled under our feet.  The temparature dropped dramatically in the cavern, at least 10 degrees. Above us was a creek flowing.  It had carved out of a hole about ten feet high off the cavern floor and it must have been about four feet around, A log was leaned up against and into the hole. It looked climbable, but the cave water was frigid.  This wasn't going to stop Josh though.   He used the log for support and found some good hand holds, which enabled him to climb up and  through the hole. 

Casha and I however were hesitant.  Neither one really wanted to get wet, but neither one wanted to back down either.  But against our judgement, we followed.   And I am so glad we did.  What we discovered next was my favorite part of the trip. 

The three of us found ourselves in another cavern. It was very dark and so we put on headlamps to have a look around. When we did we were stunned to see a waterfall, 10 feet in height,  flowing down in front of us! It wasn't very wide, about 4 feet, but the water was gushing forward.  We looked up and saw the ceilings were probably another 30 feet high!    This was very "Goonie" like.  We all said some explitives and looked closer.  We knew that to move on and further any exploration, we would have to  climb the waterfall.  It looked relative easy but there would be no avoiding the icy waters. We each got soaked but our adrenaline was pumping, and we no longer felt cold.  I snapped a pic of Josh as he ascended. The lens was already wet which made for a poor picture. That would be the last cave picture as I had to leave the camera behind for fear of damage.

  When we reached the top of the falls, the stream had carved out a cave large enough to stand up and walk through.  A small red salamander with black specks clung to the walls. The creek trickled between our legs as we walked single file deeper into the cave. Large trees and stumps showed sign of this now shallow stream, being much stronger in the winter and spring months. The water became deep and so we climbed up onto a ledge above the creek.  A musty smell hung in the air.   We continued back only about 100 yards before noticing light. The light got brighter and before long we exited out of the cave. We found ourselves surrounded on either side by 90 foot cliff faces that went straight up. I attempted to climb on them but they were soaking wet and too slick.  Evidence showed where the water fell from one of the cliffs, splashed down on the limestone, and over time formed the cave we had just walked through. It was all a little surreal.   

Satisfied with the end of our cave exploration, and with no other exit, we high-fived again, headed back through the passage, down the waterfall, back up the steep escarpment, and onto the main trail.  

It was finally time to see Virgin Falls. I felt like we had already seen and done so much, and yet the grand finale, the whole reason for coming on this trip in the first place, was just around the bend. And I must say I was not dissappointed. This dramatic waterfall comes out of nowhere. Its over 100 feet in height and another 80 feet in width. Even in the summer its flow is strong. It cascades down and at the bottom is a vast cave system. A green moss grows on its rock face and adds a splashes of green. Casha assures me that this is Virgin Falls with a thumbs up. 

Our trio hikes down to the base of the falls and notices the cave system below. We try to find a way down but realize it is impossible without repelling gear.  The caverns below were enormous and the rushing water reverberated off their walls, making it hard to hear.  Who knows how deep they run.  After some more exploration, we decide to go to the top of the falls.  

After a relatively easy climb, we stand at the edge of the falls.  The scene is amazing as the stream flows down the waterfall and then just dissappears under the ground.  Large boulders and logs lay at the falls' bottom.  Behind us is Virgin Creek.  It literally comes out of nowhere.  It is an underground creek and quickly disappears into the mountain.  The only time the creek is exposed is when it rushes over this amazing spectacle.  Next the three of us climb up some large boulders that rest above the falls.  When the three of us reached the very top, we just sat there.  We knew this was the end of our trip, and for the next ten minutes, nobody said a word.  

Satisfied with the view and after snapping a lot of pictures, we headed back for basecamp.  Little did we know there would be one more surprise for us along the way.  Josh and I were in front discussing something, when we heard Casha let out a shriek.  We quickly turned around and heard him yell out "Snake!"  Josh and I had walked right by it and never even saw it.  Then it began rattling.  It was of course a rattlsnake, this one a timber rattler, with a body circumference the size of a soup can!  This was the first time in my life I had ever seen, or heard one that wasn't on television. It's rattle was a lot louder than I expected it to be. I think we all just froze for a moment.  I looked over at Casha just as he began backing up.  Fortunately he was a safe distance away when he noticed the snake and was able to easily circle around it.  The loud rattling stopped after minute and I think we all felt more at ease.  We tried to prod it off the trail using a very long stick, but that only angered the snake and it began rattling again.  We decided to leave him alone and instead warn any other hikers passing through. 

We continued on and arrived back at Laurel Falls and packed up our gear.  It was time to go home.  We each had an amazing time and will hopefully do it again sometime.  My friend Josh is now in Thailand where he is studying martial arts.  Keep ceasing the day my friend.  And Casha, well he's probably having a beer at my bar right now.

Below is some more pictures.