A friend of mine and I recently hiked into the Virgin Falls Naural Area (about 8 miles roundtrip) to photograph some of the many waterfalls in the area. Having experienced an extended rainy period, the creeks were full and the falls were raging. The entire trek into and out of the park was wet and misty and we got soaked! This is far more water than I have seen in any other photos of these falls. I was expecting a heavy trickle, at best.
Big Laurel Falls in the Virgin Falls Natural Area (Tennessee) seen above, a 25 foot fall is one of many in the area that pours over a bluff and then disappears into a cave or sinkhole, rather than continuing as a stream.
The dark area behind the fall is the cave that receives the water that exits underground to the left in this picture.
Virgin Falls is about 120 feet high and as shown in the photograph, ends by disappearing underground. What is not shown is that before pouring over the cliff, the creek emerges from a cave and is only above ground for a brief moment before resuming its underground path.
Thanks for sharing Durwood. I went years ago and hope to go back one day. It's a special area to hike. I loke both photos but the second has a raging waterfall feel to it. Good capture.
When I hiked there years ago I was told that it's called Virgin Falls because it's not out of the ground long enough for man to screw it up.
Vey Nice images Durwood. It is so refreshing to see new stuff here...!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to share your trip. I am not familar with Virgin Falls Natural Area..? Where in Tennessee is it located?
Virgin Falls is located west of Sparta and just south of Derossett Tennessee.
The area is designated as a Pocket Wilderness, not a Natural Area (my mistake.) The best description of and directions to the trails can be found here:
Discussion
6 repliesBig Laurel Falls in the Virgin Falls Natural Area (Tennessee) seen above, a 25 foot fall is one of many in the area that pours over a bluff and then disappears into a cave or sinkhole, rather than continuing as a stream.
The dark area behind the fall is the cave that receives the water that exits underground to the left in this picture.
When I hiked there years ago I was told that it's called Virgin Falls because it's not out of the ground long enough for man to screw it up.
Thanks for taking the time to share your trip. I am not familar with Virgin Falls Natural Area..? Where in Tennessee is it located?
Thanks,
Harold
The area is designated as a Pocket Wilderness, not a Natural Area (my mistake.) The best description of and directions to the trails can be found here:
http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/vfpw1.htm
Thanks for sharing these beautiful images. Good job.
Andrew