This picturesque photograph features Big Laurel Creek, a cascading waterway which I enjoyed hiking along en route to Virgin Falls. I’ve added it to my gallery at Pixels, where visitors can find a variety of prints – great for the home, office, lobby or cafeteria setting. Thanks for stopping by!
Along the trail on my Hike To Virgin Falls, I came upon a few signs leading me to Sheep Cave – a cave in the side of a mountain from which Little Laurel Creek re-emerges, flowing over a series of waterfalls before disappearing into a deep cavern underground.
It’s always interesting to see water flowing from a cave – also observed at Lost Creek State Natural Area, an adjoining park. Here, it moved over two waterfalls, the top of which was accessible via cautious maneuvers along a muddy hillside. See below…
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I took this photograph while crossing Big Laurel Creek on my hike to Virgin Falls – located on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee.
Along my Hike To Virgin Falls, I encountered Big Branch Falls, and, in two miles, had the opportunity to enjoy Big Laurel Falls.
At 40-feet tall, the water flows over a rock ledge and then vanishes underground into a large network of caves. The recessed overhang allows for easy access behind the falls, though rocks are damp and quite slippery – hikers should use caution!
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If you’re interested in taking the family for an easy & fun hike to see a waterfall, then visit the Frozen Head State Park – near Wartburg, Tennessee. The scenic 20-foot tall Emory Gap Falls is only a 3 mile out and back hike, and you’ll also pass Debord Falls along the trail.
See earlier post: Emory Gap Falls At Frozen Head
Like many waterfalls on the Cumberland Plateau, the best time to visit is when there’s water present. This was my second trip to the falls; though autumn foliage was gone, by comparison, recent rainfall bolstered the volume of water flowing.
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I photographed this lovely cascading creek – Big Laurel Creek – along the trail while hiking to Virgin Falls, located near Sparta, Tennessee. See more.
I recently hiked the Virgin Falls State Natural Area, located on the Cumberland Plateau – near Sparta, Tennessee. Along the trail, I stopped to enjoy Big Branch Falls, a 15-foot tall waterfall featuring a series of small terraces; thus, producing a cascading effect.
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Finally, I hiked the trail to Virgin Falls!
Located at the Virgin Falls State Natural Area in White County, Tennessee, Virgin Falls stands an impressive 110-feet tall. Emerging from a cave, water flows over the waterfalls and then disappears underground into another cave at the bottom of the sink.
Situated atop a mammoth cavern system, other areas along the trail – Big Laurel Creek, Big Laurel Falls and Little Laurel Creek at Sheep Cave – also vanish underground. If in the future I ever feel compelled to explore these caverns, there are over seven miles of mapped passages to hike (with flashlights & headlamps). Hmm…
Because there were several areas of interest along my 10 mile hike, this blog post will focus on Virgin Falls, specifically. In the days ahead, I’ll also include links referencing these other areas:
Along the hike, you’ll be tempted to go off trail sightseeing, as I did. Beauty is everywhere and many spots are accessible, but be cautious – danger awaits the unsuspecting in various forms (damp rocks with a thin layer of moss, slick mud under a blanket of dead leaves along a hillside, loose rocks underfoot). I fell once – moss!
The main trail is marked with a white blaze. Just follow the signs –
Cables are provided in four areas to assist hikers along the trail –
Virgin Falls
Despite the ground being saturated from recent rain, and with total cloud-cover overhead, this was nevertheless a wonderful, scenic hike! Due to the volume of water falling, though, there was significant wind & mist generated (listen to the video, below) – thus, making it virtually impossible to photograph directly in the front of the waterfall.
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I’ve added several of these photographs to my gallery at Pixels. If you’d be interested in a print for your home, office, or, as a gift for family members and friends, then stop by to select from a variety of print types – framed, canvas, art, metal, wood and acrylic. Framed prints may also be customized – size, frame, mat, paper and finish. Hope to see you soon!
Stay tuned…more to come!
Located near Wartburg, Tennessee, at Obed Wild And Scenic River, this photograph features Clear Creek, as seen from Lily Bridge. See more.
I recently had the opportunity to hike a moderately difficult trail of 5 miles out and back, to the picturesque Abrams Falls, a 20-foot tall and voluminous waterfall located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at Cades Cove, Tennessee.
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smokies.
National Park Service
See earlier post: Abrams Falls at Cades Cove, TN
An 11-mile drive through Cades Cove is filled with historic sites from pioneers who settled the area, as well as stunning panoramic landscape views. Hikers should turn right at the #10 marker, following a gravel road to the trailhead for Abrams Falls. Despite the sign posted (above), there are restrooms in the parking area.
For the most part, the trail follows Abrams Creek, providing a soothing sound of running water to enjoy during ones hike. There are several changes in elevation along the way, and the trail can be quite rocky in areas – and, sometimes muddy. This is a popular trail which can become crowded, so it’s best to arrive early. And, don’t forget to bring water!
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Prints are available in my gallery. If you’re considering decorating your living spaces, stop by and select the print type of your choosing – framed, canvas, art, metal, wood and/or acrylic. Thanks & enjoy the great outdoors!
Layers of fog settle in the valley across a meadow, as morning sunlight warms upper ridges in the Smoky Mountains. Photographed at Cades Cove, Tennessee. See more.
This Smoky Mountains landscape photograph features a foggy morning at Cades Cove, near Townsend, Tennessee. See more.
Following my hike at Debord Falls & Emory Gap Falls, I returned to my vehicle and drove to the nearby Obed Wild And Scenic River National Park, located near Wartburg, Tennessee.
After a short hike, I arrived at the scenic Jack Rock Falls. Standing 25-feet tall, I’d seen this waterfall on two previous occasions, each of which during relatively drier times. Following recent rains, it seemed that a return visit would be appropriate.
After taking photographs and enjoying this peaceful setting for a spell, I wondered…
…this waterfall is at a much higher elevation than Clear Creek, below. Might there be additional points of interest downstream worthy of exploration?
It seemed like a good bet, and so it began. I traversed along a steep hillside, weaved in and around trees and plants, and, when possible, climbed atop boulders hoping to glance what lay ahead. I could see some indication of an area where the rocks ended – a drop – but wouldn’t know with certainty until I arrived.
Moving downhill and around a cluster of moss covered rocks, I would soon see that which I’d hoped to find – another waterfall. Awesome! While I’m sure that others have enjoyed this spot, it was challenging to access without a trail, and I was grateful to have found such a beautiful place to enjoy.
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Located in the Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, Tennessee, Debord Falls stands 12-feet tall and is an easy hike of 1.5 miles out and back, along the Emory Gap Branch.
The trailhead is located at the end of the park, where the road stops at a parking area. You’ll find an informational placard which details a plethora of local flowers, and restrooms are available at the visitor center along the drive.
While it’s no surprise that I’ve discovered most waterfalls in Tennessee depend on rainfall to bolster water flow, guests may want to plan their visit in accordance with current weather conditions – many falls can be dry during summer months.
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Black and white photograph with interesting perspective of vintage structure that resembles a Pantheon. See more.
Water cascades down a series of terraced ledges along the Lynn Camp Prong, located in the Tremont section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. See more.
This scenic photography features Richland Creek, as seen hiking along the Laurel-Snow Trail on the Cumberland Plateau, near Dayton, Tennessee. See more.
Located in the South Cumberland State Park (30 minutes from Chattanooga, Tennessee, near Sequatchie) Denny Cove Falls is a picturesque 70-foot waterfall on the Denny Cove Branch. Driving two hours from Knoxville, my road trip into the wilderness also included a second stop at Foster Falls – less than two miles away!
Following directions provided through alltrails.com, I soon learned that there wasn’t access to the park via Dawson Springs Road, only several “No Trespassing” signs posted along private, rural properties. Instead, I found a marked entrance further north along US-41, an old gravel road with many deep potholes. Mine was the second car on site, and I was greeted by a family with two small children, as I walked ahead with camera in hand.
The nearly 3 mile out and back hike included diverse trail conditions, ranging from easy walking on hard pack soil through a pine tree forest, to cautious movements along an entirely rock strewn pathway. The trail is rated as moderately difficult, though, had the rocks been damp, it would have been more challenging. Fortunately, trail conditions were dry.
There are a few different trails in the park for hikers to enjoy. Nevertheless, and despite reading reviews suggesting that the falls are often busy, I had the place to myself for 1.5 hours during my morning visit – very peaceful.
Along the return, I met several other hikers on the trail – and, heard many other voices? Looking uphill through the trees at imposing gorge walls, I could see dozens of rock climbers – a popular recreational activity, accounting for the now full parking lot.
Prints for your home or office
I’ve added a variety of photographs to my gallery from my hike at Denny Cove Falls. Check it out and discover several different print types available – framed, canvas, metal, art, acrylic and/or wood. Thanks for visiting!
