Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness
Distance: Approximately 8 miles
Rating: Difficult/Strenuous with 800 feet of elevation gain
Driving Time: 1.5 Hours
Leader: Larry Peck 408-1677 lap44@aol.com

This trail is an undiscovered jewel through a remote, pristine pocket wilderness in the South Cumberland Plateau. The trail is one of the most interesting and beautiful trails in Tennessee, featuring scenic overlooks, waterfalls and cascades, including the Virgin Falls, where a robust stream emerges from a cave and crashes 110 feet into a sinkhole.

The trail winds through laurel and rhododendron thickets, and oak, hickory and beech woods. It then descends over the Big Laurel Creek across a stepping stone crossing. An optional spur leads to the leads to the Big Branch Falls, where the creek cascade down a stone staircase. Another option spur leads over a difficult trail section that leads to the Caney Fork Overlook. The main trail itself provides several overviews of the Caney Fork River, and descends through a difficult section over large rocks and railway ties into the Big Laurel Gorge, where the Big Laurel Falls tumbles over the ledge of a yawing cave mouth, and then disappears into a sink hole -- a preview of the Virgin Falls. The trail then becomes a cushioned walk in the forest until it passes an optional loop to the Sheep Cave, and then finally climbs up to the Virgin Falls. The Falls is an unnamed creek -- unnamed because it is only above-ground for a few feet above the Falls itself. Optional spurs off the main trail, offer access to the cave above the Falls, and to the sinkhole at its base. The spray from the Falls creates an ideal environment for the many species of wildflowers and ferns that inhabit the area.

A hiking stick and a good pair of hiking boots or walking shoes are required, and hikers should bring an ample supply of water in a portable container, and lunch to eat at the falls.

This is a wonderful hike. Walking in and walking out feel like two different hikes. One of my favorites.