Hikers of the Bluegrass

We willl start the hike from the Whittleton campground day use parking area. Walk thru the Whittleton Campground to take the Sheltowee trail #100; we will hike along Whittleton Branch Creek then take a short spur to view Whittleton Arch. Return to back to the Sheltowee and continue our route to hike to Grays Arch. As we proceed on the Sheltowee Trace we cross Highway 15 and walk along the overpass. We have a short walk down Tunnel Ridge Road before picking up the trail #100 again From Grays Arch trailhead we will hike to Gray’s Arch then return back the same route for an out and back hike.

Estimated Mileage 9 miles with Elevationtion gain 1063. Hike rating Moderately Challenging

9AM
Meet at Park & Ride parking lot next to GoTime gas station. We will combine hikers and gear into a few cars then carpool to the trailhead. The carpool will leave no later than 9:15am.

Directions:
From the I-64/I-75 southern split, drive east on I-64 16.4 mi, exit 98 Combs Mountain Parkway; drive 32 mi to exit 33, Hwy 15 (Slade); from exit go left, then immediate left (west), then another immediate left into park & ride parking lot next to GoTime gas station. Look for posted signs that say "Park & Ride"

DISCLAIMER
By committing to this event, you acknowledge you have read the following Disclaimer: Meetup organizers/leaders are not guides, nor are they experts. You are solely responsible for your own safety. By signing up for and attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking is an outdoor activity that can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. By participating in this meetup event, you acknowledge that you're of good physical standing and willing to risk the inherent dangers of the activity. All attendees participate at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event.

Tennessee Waterfall Weekend — March 13–15
Virgin Falls • Lost Creek Falls • Polly Branch (Optional)
Sunrise / Sunset (Sparta, TN). All times are central time. Rated among top 3 waterfalls in Tennessee in Waterfalls of Tennessee by Gregory Plumb.

• Mar 13: 6:24 AM / 5:52 PM (light until ~6:18 PM)
• Mar 14: 6:23 AM / 5:53 PM (light until ~6:19 PM)
• Mar 15: 6:21 AM / 5:54 PM (light until ~6:20 PM)

Basecamp — Upper Cumberland RV Park
7717 Old Kentucky Rd, Sparta, TN • 760‑533‑9790 GPS: 35.9459, –85.4314 Two tents per campsite. $25/night Fire rings • Picnic tables • Wash house • Showers • Laundry and Potable Water. RV $50.00/night.
Reservations
Everyone books their own site at Basecamp. Optional: Virgin Falls Backcountry camping for Backpackers call Tennessee State Parks: https://tnstateparks.com • 1‑888‑867‑2757.
Bear Information
Store food and smellables in a closed vehicle or bear bag. No food in tents or pack overnight
Friday — Lost Creek Falls
Address: 3990 Whites Cave Rd, Sparta• GPS 35.8554, –85.2580 Unique Feature: Waterfall drops into a massive cave entrance. Distance 0.4–0.5 mi • Easy • 45–60 min
Plan: Arrive at RV Park → Drive to Lost Creek Falls → Short hike + photos → Return to RV Park
Saturday — Virgin Falls Trail
Address: 2080 Scotts Gulf Rd, Sparta • GPS 35.8539, –85.2823 Distance 8.7 mi • Strenuous • 7–8 hrs Blazes: White (main), Blue and Yellow (side trails) Optional: Martha’s Pretty Point Overlook 1200 foot elevation gain Food: Breakfast • Lunch at Virgin Falls • Dinner afterward
Creek Crossings
A few crossings; usually rock‑hoppable. Bring watershoes .After rain, slick rocks, water rises for 12–24 hrs. Cable crossing. Rocks covered by rainwater alternate trail Hemlock Springs Trail

• Big Branch Creek: Main crossing early in the hike just past Big Branch falls
• Big Laurel Creek : Walk beside the creek; step over small feeder streams
• Seasonal streams: Small trickles depending on rainfall.

Waterfalls in Order

• Big Branch Falls (10–15 ft) — curtain effect in spring
• Big Laurel Falls (40 ft) — walk‑behind waterfall
• Sheep Cave Falls (35 ft) — cave‑to‑cave hydrology
• Virgin Falls (110 ft) — water emerges from a cave, drops 110 ft, disappears into another cave

Other Features on Virgin Falls Trail
Small cascades • Creek crossings • Rock shelters • Karst formations like caves, sinkholes, underground rivers, besides large rock shelters.
Plan: Start at trailhead → Visit waterfalls in order → Lunch at Virgin Falls → Return to trailhead → Dinner in Sparta or RV Park
Sunday — Caney Fork (Optional)
Holloway Connector Trail. Distance 3.5 mi • At end of Scotts Gulf Road, Moderate hike, Waterfall-Gunstock Falls.
Plan: Drive to trailhead → Out‑and‑back to waterfall and Caney Creek → Return to car → Head home
Watershed Sizes
Lost Creek 7.5 sq mi • Big Branch 2 sq mi • Big Laurel 12 sq mi • Sheep Cave 14 sq mi • Virgin 15 • sq mi Caney Creek 6 sq mi
Sleeping Bag, Night Clothing and Food
20° sleeping bag • dry base layers • dry socks • fleece hat, Tip: warm tomorrow’s clothes inside your sleeping bag. You are responsible for your own food. Liner/nightclothes lower discomfort of sleeping bag failure by a few degrees. Hot Hands thrown in sleeping bag. Hot water bottle alternative.
Headlamp & Batteries
Bring extra batteries or a power bank. Cold drains batteries faster. Could finish 30–60 minutes later than planned

Gear & Equipment Suggestions
Bring layered clothing suitable for March conditions, including a moisture‑wicking base layer, insulating mid‑layer, warm outer layer, rain jacket, and a dry set of night clothes. Pack a 20° sleeping bag, sleeping pad, hat, gloves, and dry socks. Carry enough food for all meals, plus snacks, along with utensils and anything you need for coffee or hot drinks. Bring at least 2–3 liters of water capacity. Include a basic first‑aid kit, toiletries, sunscreen, and anything you prefer for comfort. For navigation and safety, bring a headlamp with extra batteries, a power bank, and whistle, and any group safety items you prefer. Optional gear includes trekking poles, a camp chair, gaiters, and any photography equipment you enjoy using.