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Virgin Falls

This waterfall is one of the most unique falls in the world. Only about one-third of this fall is visible in this photo due to it's unique nature. The river that feeds this fall emerges from the semi-circle mouth of a huge cave at the top of the falls. The river runs about 30 feet and then plunges straight down.....into a giant pit. The river then vanishes into the ground. Seriously! In essence there is no exposed "upstream" or "downstream" for this waterfall. It emerges from the side of the hill at the cave, runs over the ledge and straight into the pit. The pit is also the lower portion of the cave but can only be accessed by rappelling down the pit face, behind the waterfall, in late summer, only during dry years and low flow for the fall. I am not kidding. (At this time only maniacs and suicidal madmen have actually explored the lower portion of this cave. It has been explored however.) The upper cave can be entered where the fall emerges (if you want to get seriously wet) or you can go to the second upper entrance further up the side the of the mountain. I have explored several hundred feet into the top entrance. The going is slow due to huge boulders in the floor and water everywhere. My exploration was halted due to excessive water.

The very beautiful photograph below of Virgin Falls was taken by Upper Cumberland Grotto member Jeff Osborne.

Photo by Jeff Osborne, 2002.

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