Bridgestone/Firestone this weekend

“A few of us are going to this are over the weekend for a 3 day 2 night trip.

We are going in at the Virgin Falls Trailhead. We will then use the connector trail to the Caney Fork River Trail and finally come out the Polly Branch Falls Trail.


We will meet Sat morning at the gas station on HWY 111 at 9:30 AM central time. This is at exit 288 on I-40 just past Cookeville.”

“hmmm lemme talk to the wife....”

“tnprime, come on up. Two folks may bail due to foot injuries. I know for sure woodzie and I are going.”

“I wish I had seen this earlier. Little Bit and I are giong to take her grandchildren to Mt. Rogers this weekend. This would have been lots closer, but they are adamant about going to see the ponies. And since Trail Days is over Damascus will not be as crowded, but Mt.Rogers probably will, oh well...”

“I saw this thread and I thought you were trying to decide on new tires. :) Have a great time. Wish I could go.”

“LOL, At first I thought the same thing! Then I remembered the Centennial Wilderness. BF has alot of property they are considering selling. We need to save as much as possible.”

“I have my daughter this weekend. No go for me.”

“She's been braggin all week about going there- she'll be with her buds and thier kids- if yousee her and yell out her trail names you'll get quite a reaction from the others. Think they will be car camping and day hiking. I'll be performing at the Tn Ren fest all weekend.Have a great trip!”

“I am not sure where we will be but hope to see you guys on the trail. My first visit and I am excited.”

“firebeaver we may see you there”

“tnprime, you in?”

“Eddy...come down here...ya can help paint the house!!!!”

“ok Div, don't do anything until I get there ;)”

“how about if we start WITHOUT ya?”

“I am still on the fence. :( Let me have some specifics, I might be able to pull a one nighter. Money is tight. Shoot me a call

615-456-3571

David”

“David ...might I reccommend you remove your number from this post and send it to Ewker in an email...there are some NUTS on this place that would love to have fun with it!”

“nuts? Nuts? NUTS? Are you NUTS???


why yes I am



for a good time call xxx-yyy-zzzz”

“tnprime, left u a msg”

“back a day early..pics and trip report to follow...what a long strange trip its been”

“It was more like This Is Nowhere.

I'll get photos and a trip report up Monday.”

“Okie-dokie, folks, here it is, the long awaited Virgin Falls Trip Report and Photos! And just for the record, we didn't see any virgins at the falls. I was the only female there, and well, 'nough said.

Ewker and met off of I-40, exit 288, and went from there to the Virgin Falls Trailhead parking area. That's when we should have stopped and went back home. Actually, the hike to the falls was nice, it was after that when things rapidly deteriorated.

Virgin Falls is very nice and photogenic. Maybe we should have stayed there. There were some scouts (?) camped there, but other than them, it was pretty quiet. After we left the falls, we headed back down to the Caney Fork River Trail. Again, we should've just stopped. But that's my opinion. By this time, I was starting to feel rather poorly (as they say in the south), but pushed on anyway. We made our first of several river crossings. It sure felt good on our hot, tired feet! Once we got on the other side, well, life was never the same again.

Once you cross the river, there are trails going every which way, or dry river bottoms that look like trails. This trail is not marked well at all, so it gets very confusing on which way to go. We did try to take a side trail up to Davis Cemetery because we had been told it was a very neat place to see, but I crapped out before we got there. The heat and blood sugar issues did me in. Ewker decided we'd go back down the hill and look for a campsite.

After we got back down the hill, I sat on a log while Ewker went scouting for a place for us to camp. He found a good spot, an old campsite that hadn't been used in a while. It was very private - no one else was anywhere around. We both decided that even though it was private, it was the noisiest campsite we had ever stayed in, LOL! The birds were all singing there little hearts out, frogs were croaking, and then there was the fella across the river looking for Robert. He was going up and down the river yelling "ROBERT!" We never did figure out if he was lost or if Robert was lost. Oh well.

That evening just before dark, I was sitting on a log (I do that well) and saw a big black shape come up out of the river bed. I'm thinking bear. "There's a BEAR!!" Well, turns out it was a hog. When we shined our lights over that way, it took off, never to be seen again. Ewker was sleeping in a hammock that night - I told him he'd probably get bit in the butt by a boar.

The next morning after we were up and packed, we went looking for the river ford we needed to cross. After searching for about 2 hours, we said to heck with it and were going to go back the way we came. As we were headed out, we ran into a Game Warden (sweet young thang packin' a big handgun) and he told us where we could find the ford. Actually, he took us there. Ewker and I were shocked - we had been within 50 feet of the place, I'd say. Sheesh. Mr. Cute Game Warden went on his way and we crossed the river.

Things didn't get any better. I tell you, it is near impossible to find the river crossings, the trails aren't marked, and it was rocky. And hot.

Finally, again, after much confusion and wondering where the heck the trail was, I had had enough. We were down in an area where folks can get to with 4-wheel drive, high clearance vehicles, so I voted to catch a ride out to our cars with one of them. A very nice family of five gave us a ride, thus saving me from having to climb up and out of the gorge. I don't think I would have made it. Ewker was a good sport about it all and din't cry or pitch a fit or anything. Secretly I think he was glad when I said I couldn't go on.

As much as I enjoy getting out and being in the woods, this was one trip that will go on my list of "never, ever go there again."

Here's the photos:
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559215691NXelXK?track_pagetag=/page/photo/outdoors/hikingbackpacking&track_action=/DB/Album”

“So it seems that you two got lost, lol, that happens when you get old and then tired, hehehehe. The person yelling for Robert was looking for his pig, and the ranger was looking for them both. This tale sounds like a movie I once watched. Where were you at night, on the BridgeStone/Firestone property or the Bowater property??”

“Nah, we never lost. We always knew how to go back the way we came. We were just mighty confused with where the trails really were.

Where did we camp? I have no idea, LOL! For some reason, I had a total mental block about where we were, even though Ewker showed me the map several times and explained it to me. I guess I wanted to block it out of my memory.”

“here are my pics

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/559211243yvfOjg

The trip wasn't that hard. I would consider it moderate but the total confusion is what made it hard to difficut.

The hike to Virgin Falls is nice. We did take the long loop up to the overlook but never got there. We ended up back on the main trail taking our time taking lots of pictures. We finally got to the loop that will take you to Virgin Falls. We went the opposite way not realizing we would have to backtrack some. This is where things started to go wrong. Woodzie hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and was getting hungry. We stopped for a snack before we headed up to the falls. We took a few pictures then headed down to the trail to our first river crossing. The crossing was nice and refreshing. We stopped for a quick lunch and Woodzie went down to the river to cool off. She poured water over her head which helped some.
After about 30 minutes we headed up the Davis Cemetery trail. This trail was about a mile long. It had a few steep places but the steepest would occur at the end.
We had met a guy whose relatives lived in the area. He told us where to look to see the remains of the old house. We got there and I went up to take some pictures. When I turned around Woodzie was just sitting. I knew then we needed to turn back around and find a place to camp.
We headed back down the trail to get back on the Caney Fork River Trail. This would lead us to a cmapsite for the evening. It was approx 9/10th of a mile to this campsite. We knew we had a ford to make right before the campsite. We would never make the original site we were to camp at. We followed the trail to an intersection. We looked trying to figure out which way to go. That is when Woodzie stopped and I went on to find the ford. I followed every trail or anything that looked like a trail trying to find the ford. I did find the campsite that Woodzie mention. I was walking back and knew she was close-by but I couldn't see or hear her when I yelled. She was down in a creek bed/trail sitting so her voiced carried the other way when she answered. Finally she stood up and I could see her.
We got down to the campsite andsetup. She fixed some dinner in hope that would help. She also drank lots of water/gatorade. I have been with her before when this happened so we both figured after she ate she would feel better. The area we camped in was tall Pine Trees that really blocked out the light. By 8:30 it was fairly dark. It was cool seeing the hog silhouetted aginst the light from the river. Woodzie is right, that had to be the loudest campsite I ever stayed in to have no one around, except the guy calling for Roger..lol
The next morning we packed up and decided we would see if we could find the ford. We left our packs in camp so we didn't have to carry them. We walked down towards the river but it seemed like we were getting to where water was on both sides and not shallow enough to ford. So we took our time taking pictures of the wildflowers as we headed back to where we camped. We had decided that if we couldn't find the ford we would head back. We followed every creekbed/trail to find the ford no luck. We gave up and headed back. this is where we ran into the TWA ranger. He asked if we were ok and we said we aren't lost just confused. He told us it was easy to lose the trail and that he would show us where the ford was. In the walk back we passed our campsite and the walk between the rivers edge. Sure enough another 50' or so was the sign. One good thing came out of this. If we had found the ford the night before or that morning we would have never found the next ford. The Ranger told us that the trail veared off to the left but to follow the rocky creek bed to the river. Sure enough we came to that spot but it didn't look like it went anywhere. I followed it down while Woodzie stayed at the trail. Sure enough this was the ford. If the Ranger hadn't of told us that there is no telling where we would have ended up as we would have followed the trail. No sign/marker anything telling you the ford was that way. We crossed that ford and rested on the other side. Woodzie cooled off again in the river. She felt better today than yesterday but we were concerned that she might get that way again. Once across the river we saw the next ford and campsite was 2 miles away.
While we were sitting there we both were startled by a dog that came running down the trail barking at is. It scared is to death as we wasn't expecting that. I am not sure who jumped the highest..lol After the guy contained his dogs we chatted about the tral and he said it was easy to follow which it was. We thanked him and he went on his way. As we stood there I looked at the trail sign and that was the trail we would have comedown if we had went on to the Davis Cemetery.
We go to the last ford which turned out to be a rock hop. We stopped and had lunch at the Big Spring Campsite. Woodzie filtered water at Big Spring (which supposedly never dries up). Like Woodzie said to drive down here you need a 4 wheel drive with high ground clearance. We talked to a few folks who wer camping and everyone was surprised we had backpacked in from Virgin Falls. It was still early in the day and we decied we would go on to the next campsite 1/2 miles away. You have to walk down this road where the rocks are numerous and large. It didn't help that the sun came out and was beating dqwn on us as we walked. Once we got to where the road went up the hill to get out I started looking for the trail. I followed the road for about .3 mile to another campsite. There was 3 guys sitting there. I said hello and asked about the trail. The older guy started talking and as soon as he spoke Deliverance came to mind. He said there used to be trail sign here but folks had torn them down. I asked if he knew which way the trail went. He said he didn't then the kid spoke..the movie was in my mind again esp with the other guy sitting there smiling. I thanked them for the info and went back and told Woodzie the news. I was sure the trail went up past them but I really didn't feel like camping there.
Woodzie was starting to feel the heat again and was hot (no not that kind). She suggested we try to hitch a ride out. We knew we could fill up with water but we both were afraid she migh bonk on the way out of the gorge. It was a mile climb straight up the side of the mountain. Luckily the folks we had talked to earlier came by. We asked if they could give us a ride out and they said sure. Now I do wish we could have went on but it wasn't worth it in the long run.
Once back to the top we got in my car and drove back to Yellow Bluff Trailhead an walked to the overlook. You could see the river below. It looked totally dry from up above. We then drove down to the Scott Cemetery. Interesting place as teh folks are buried on a point with both side dropping away. The headstones were so old you couldn't make anything out. We drove then back to where Woodzie had her car parked. We walked down the Polly Branch Falls trail to the over look but never made it. We came back got in out cars and headed back to Sparta.

The Caney Fork River Trail is awesome but it is poorly marked. I am surprised folks haven't gotten lost in there with so many jeep/4 wheeler trails to follow.
I do know now I can get from Virgin Falls to the Yellow Bluff Trailhead. I have no clue as to how the Caney Fork River Trail is marked or unmarked the rest of the way from where it splits off from the Yellow Bluff Trail.
That is something I will go back to find out another day.
last edited: 5/28/07 5:34:59 PM”

“I have been with her before when this happened "

Heeheeeheee, is it Ewker making me sick?

Just kidding, buddy.
last edited: 5/28/07 5:42:41 PM”

“shameless bump since this was posted yesterday and sunk”

“Great report, thanks.”

“Sounds like an interesting hike. I still wish I could have been there. Nothing like an adventure! Hope you are feeling better Woodzie.”

“Hey Ewker, sorry I couldnt attend, too much holiday hubbub going on, keep me in mind for the next one! Sawmill Campground again?!”

“Ewker, great report! I think..could be wrong..the purple flower on page 3 looks like a wild geranium.

Also..I loved "Luckily we could rock hop" on page 6!”

“I picked up a trail map for this area at the Sparta CC a couple of months ago but I haven't hiked out there yet. The lady at the CC said they were planning to work on the trails, put up more signs and build footbridges out there, but the conviction in her voice (or lack thereof) led me to believe it might happen this year, 5 years from now, or not at all.”

“What a difference a month makes! Here is a link to my pictures that were taken at Virgin Falls just a month before.

http://community.webshots.com/user/Mocs123”

“nice pics Mocs, I wish we had seen that much water flowing. It was dry....are you sure that was really Big Branch Falls ;)”

“Something to keep in perspective is that about that time ago, there was a heavy rain in many parts of that area and across the state and other states, many areas had flooding. So lots of water would of been in places then that are completely dry now. Some places call it flash flooding, or run off water. Just something to consider.”

“Me and Firebeaver met up with a couple of her friends and we had a grand time at the primo end of the road 4 WD access site. It did rain on Fri nite -no prob- then we had 2 more glorious days. Will be posting pics on my myspace page.”

“Are you saying that you were able to drive to the campsite.”

“I figured you were at Bonnaroo.”