Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous
Highlights: Overlooks, Caves, Waterfalls, Swimming
Description:
Celebrate the long holiday weekend with ReLeaf! Join us for this three-night backpacking adventure in the Virgin Falls State Natural Area, featuring overlooks, monster waterfalls, caves, and swimming in the Caney Fork River!
We will be meeting at the Virgin Falls Trailhead parking area on Friday evening and making an easy 2.4-mile journey into our first campsite at Martha’s Pretty Point. This area will provide us with a dramatic sunset view over Scott’s Gulf and the Caney Fork River 900ft below!
Saturday morning we will break down camp and pack our bags for the descent into the gorge all the way down to our second campsite along the Caney Fork River, where we will stay for 2 nights, and the beautiful 110-ft monster known as Virgin Falls. Our path will take us alongside Big Branch Creek and multiple waterfalls where the falling water immediately disappears into sinkholes, something truly magical to witness.
Sunday will be a day for free exploration at your own pace. We encourage you to follow your own excitement and experience childlike play on Sunday! Explore the area’s multiple waterfalls, caves, and sinkholes. Take a plunge in the Caney alongside our campsite, use the rope swing or walk in from the bank. The choices are yours to make and there is time to do it all!
Monday we will break down camp once again and climb back out of the gorge to the Virgin Falls Trailhead Parking with our packs feeling lighter than ever after eating all of our trail food!
We are so excited to play outside with all of you!
What to Wear
Footwear
Comfortable hiking shoes
Sandals (recommended for exploring wet areas and lounging at camp)
Clothing
Lightweight, synthetic tops and bottoms (DO NOT bring Cotton clothing)
Socks (2 pair)
Swimwear (whatever that is for you)
Lightweight puffy jacket or fleece pullover (recommended as the drop in temperature after sunset can feel colder than temps reflect)
Sun Protection
Long sleeves, hats, and natural sunscreen are recommended to protect our most important and exposed organ (our skin)!
Registration-Only: $55
Registration-only option includes a guided backpacking trip. By selecting this option, you are responsible for providing all of your own gear and meals.
All-Inclusive Package: $188
Each 1-Person all-inclusive package includes the following:
(1) Deuter Aircontact Lite Backpack
(1) MSR Zoic 2-Person Tent
(1) Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 30-degree Sleeping Bag
(1) Sea-to-Summit Thermolite Reactor Sleeping Bag Liner
(1) REI AirRail Plus Inflatable Sleeping Pad
(1) REI Quickflow Pump Sack
(1) NEMO Switchback Closed-cell Foam Sleeping Pad
(1) Jetboil Flash Backpacking Cook System w/ Fuel
(2) 15L REI Lightweight Roll-Top Dry Bags
(1) Petzl Tikka Headlamp
(1) 30’ Reflective Paracord w/ Carabiner
(3) Organic Breakfast Meals
(3) Organic Dinner Meals
(1) Organic Trailmix Package
All-Inclusive Package for 2: $333
Each 2-Person all-inclusive package includes the following:
(2) Deuter Aircontact Lite Backpack
(1) MSR Zoic 2-Person Tent
(2) Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 30-degree Sleeping Bag
(2) Sea-to-Summit Thermolite Reactor Sleeping Bag Liner
(2) REI AirRail Plus Inflatable Sleeping Pad
(1) REI Quickflow Pump Sack
(2) NEMO Switchback Closed-cell Foam Sleeping Pad
(1) Jetboil Flash Backpacking Cook System w/ Fuel
(4) 15L REI Lightweight Roll-Top Dry Bags
(2) Petzl Tikka Headlamp
(1) 30’ Reflective Paracord w/ Carabiner
(6) Organic Breakfast Meals
(6) Organic Dinner Meals
(2) Organic Trailmix Packages
Location
Virgin Falls Trailhead Parking
2080 Scotts Gulf Road Sparta, TN, 38583