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Virgin Falls is in Bowater’s pocket wilderness area, located 10 miles Southeast of Sparta and
20 miles Southwest of Crossville. This is a spectacular area of deep gorges and rugged terrain on the western rim of the Cumberland plateau.
The Virgin Falls State Natural Area is rich with adventure. The trail is 4.5 miles long
ending at Virgin Falls. The falls were formed by an underground river which emerges from a cave and then flows a short distance before dropping 110 feet before disappearing into another cave. Besides the 100 foot
Virgin Falls, there are:
- Caney Fork Overlook: panoramic view over the 800 foot deep Caney Fork River gorge
- Big Laurel Falls: series of drop-offs totaling 300 feet with a small cave behind the
falls at the bottom
- Sheep’s Cave: this cave opens at the top of a 100 foot drop, has a shallow stream
flowing out at the top; excellent “duck boot” caving
- Top of Virgin Falls: overlook at the 100 foot falls, with yet another cave opening back
above
This trip is designed to teach backpacking and winter camping skills. It is a strenuous trip,
much more difficult than Blue Hole. The trail is difficult and not able to be reached by any vehicles. With proper preparation, all scouts who have gone on the Blue Hole trip should be able to make this trip. It is
essential that all scouts have good boots and properly packed backpacks.
Key Preparation Dates:
February 11:
Define roster, tent partners, grubmasters, food group adult “invitees”
February 18: Finalize roster, reorganize patrols into
food groups of 4-6, define menus, organize cooking gear, assign tents
Scouts need:
- Money for fast food for Saturday and Sunday
- Sack lunch for Saturday
- Backpack, good boots, cold weather clothing
- Space in your pack for food and patrol gear
Tentative Schedule
Saturday, February 23, 2002
6:30 a.m. - Meet at St. George’s; depart 1/2 hour later
10:00 a.m. - Arrive at Virgin Falls; hike in; check Overlook
12:30 p.m. - Arrive at camp; sack lunch; make camp; forage
for wood
2:00 p.m. - Expeditions: Sheep’s Cave; Top of Virgin Falls
5:00 p.m. - Begin dinner cooking; clean-up
8:30 p.m. - Troop campfire: discuss fire safety; tell embarrassing
stories about those not present
10:00 p.m. - Taps
Sunday, February 24, 2002
7:00 a.m. - Reveilee; Breakfast; break camp; brief devotional
9:00 a.m. - Start hike out (grunt)
12:00 p.m. - Get to cars
12:45 p.m. - Fast food on the way back
3:00 p.m. - Arrive at St. George’s; hang tents; put up gear
3:30 p.m. - Disperse
Parents: We need drivers! Please e-mail me as soon as you read this
at artrebrovick@nashvillemanagementgroup.com or call me at 352-3800 if you plan to come and can drive. Tell me the number of seats in your car (excluding yours!) Thanks!
Trip Coordinators:
Art Rebrovick; 352-3800 (office); 356-3595 (home)
artrebrovick@nashvillemanagementgroup.com
John Darwin; 665-2882 (office); 385-9670 (home)
john.c.darwin@rssmb.com
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