Virgin Falls

My children and I hiked the Virgin Falls trail about 6 weeks ago.  I had never hiked this trail before and did not know what to expect.  It is located in White County, just across the county line from Cumberland County.  It is located within Scotts Gulf and adjacent to Bridgestone Firestone Cenennial Wilderness.  I had done some research on the internet about the trail.  The state site said 5-8 hours for the hike.  We did it in 5 hours.  Partly because it was afternoon before we got started and I did not want to be on a trail in the dark with 3 kids.  It is a beautiful hike but not a leisurely walk.  We did not take enough water and it was very hot.  The only potty on this trail is behind a tree or bush.  Tennessee is 16" behind on rain and this area has been affected as well.  There should be 4 waterfalls but two of them were completely dried up.

Virgin Falls was previously Bowater Pocket Wilderness until purchased by the State of Tennessee in 1996. It is 1157 acres of natural beauty. You can camp along the trails.  Just keep in mind that what ever you take you must carry in yourself.  There is no driving or 4 wheeling in.

The Big Branch Falls is the first fall that you come to on the hike.  Unfortunately,  it is completely dry at this time. 

This should be a roaring creek.  Presently, it is just a dry creek bed.

Dry creek bed.

The natural area is named for the Virgin Falls, which is formed by a natural stream that falls over a 110 foot cliff before droping into another cave at the bottom of the sink. 

This is the underground spring that is the birth place of the Virgin Falls.

I had climbed to the top of the falls while my kids cooled off under the waterfall.  I did not know that there was a drop off until after I climbed back down.  I did not loose anyone and they had a ball.  I intend to go back in the fall if we have any leaves left to turn color and see the fall display.  I hope the spring will bring the water level back to normal.

On the way back we passed the Big Laurel Falls.  It is not so big right now, but it was quiet a view with the fog coming up from the bottom of the falls.

This is on my favorite list of trails to hike again and again.  The natural beauty is overwhelming.  I can't wait for the water levels to go back to normal.