BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.4.1//EN TZID:America/New_York X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/New_York BEGIN:VEVENT UID:1402@t48.org DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20230526T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20230528T193000 DTSTAMP:20221212T141605Z URL:https://t48.org/events/2022-virgin-falls-truck-in-and-backpacking-hybr id/ SUMMARY:2023 Virgin Falls Truck-in and Backpacking Hybrid DESCRIPTION:This trip is limited to 18 Truckin Campers and 12 Backpackers\n Register early to guarantee a spot\nTrip Sheet\n(Virgin Falls Location)\n2 080 Scotts Gulf Road\, Sparta TN\, 38583\n\n\n\n\n \;\nThe hike into V irgin Falls\, which will total around 9 miles going in and out\, should be considered a strenuous hike. The trail descends around 900 foot in elevat ion along a path that in many areas is rocky with uneven footing. Please a llow 5 to 9 hours for the hike. And it is recommended to start the hike ea rly in the day\, in order to give yourself plenty of daylight. Know your p hysical ability! And be prepared with water\, food\, and clothing for the season. All hikers should let a family member or a friend know of their hi king plans\, and expected time back home. At 1.5 miles there is a cable cr ossing at Big Laurel Creek: if the creek is flooding\, please do not attem pt to cross! Overall\, please check the forecast before heading out on thi s hike.\n\nHiking to Virgin Falls and back to the parking area is a five t o eight hour hike depending on your pace and whether you hike to the Caney Fork Overlook and/or the Caney Fork River. The trail leaving the parking area meanders down to the Big Branch of the Big Laurel Creek through an up land oak-hickory/chestnut oak hardwood forest crisscrossing a fern dominat ed upland drainage. Upon descending into the gorge the vegetation changes to hemlock and mixed mesophytic forest which includes maples\, oaks\, tuli p poplar\, hickories\, buckeye\, basswood\, cherry\, yellow birch\, sycamo re\, and many more species. Mountain laurel\, magnolia and several ericace ous shrubs (such as various wild blueberries) are common along the trail. The trails pass by small rockhouses\, boulder fields\, sinks\, caves\, and waterfalls on route to Virgin Falls where the trail ends. The distance to Virgin Falls is four miles one way. There are designated camping sites of f the trail (see map). There is no camping allowed above Virgin Falls. Vir gin Falls State Natural Area is located in the Scott's Gulf area\, and adj acent to the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness\, which also has some great trails. The Virgin Falls area was originally set aside in 1973 as a Pocket Wilderness by the Bowater Pulp and Paper Corporation. It was p urchased from a private landowner by the State in 2012\, partially with a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The deep gorges\, rich vege tation\, sparkling waterfalls\, and streams make this area a favorite hiki ng and backpacking destination. All natural and cultural features are prot ected. Please be sure to respect the resources\, and to take out all waste brought in. If camping\, please leave your campsite in as good as\, or be tter shape than you found it.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n$$ You Must See Mr. Brown ing to Pay for this trip. $$\n\n\n\n CATEGORIES:Adventure,Troop 48 Sponsored LOCATION:Fall Creek Falls State Park\, 10821 Park Road\, Spencer\, Tennesse e\, 38585\, United States X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=10821 Park Road\, Spencer\, Tennessee\, 38585\, United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Fall Creek F alls State Park:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York X-LIC-LOCATION:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20230312T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR