Trapped behind the collapsed entrance of a cave and without food, my limited rations of water were bone dry after 25 days. I was starving and stranded in the middle of nowhere, where calls for help were both futile, and strained my painfully parched vocal cords. I’d lost weight and prayed it was enough, that I might now fit between the thin sliver of rocks defining my captivity and illuminating my escape. It was now or never, and there was only one way out – into the light.
If you’d like to enjoy a change of scenery, then my photography may lend itself as being the perfect accent piece for a wall in your home or workplace. You can visit my gallery to see more, selecting from a variety of print types: framed, canvas, metal, art, poster, wood, acrylic and tapestry. It makes a great gift idea, too.
Song for the Day
The Caves of Altamira, by Steely Dan (1976) – see lyrics here.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like observing a barren desert while standing inside the fossilized jaw of a giant prehistoric dinosaur…perhaps this image will suffice.
As you imagine yourself enjoying the shade, make sure to check out the following shops for some really cool stuff –
I shot this photograph inside a small cave at the base of South Arch, at Twin Arches near Oneida, Tennessee. It was a narrow cave approx. 12-feet tall, with an opening in the rocks (upper left) allowing sunlight to filter inside. Prints available.
Both sandstone arches are situated end-to-end with a land bridge across the top. In terms of dimensions, the North Arch has a top deck height of 62-feet, a clearance of 51-feet and a span of 93-feet, while the South Arch has a top deck height of 103-feet, a clearance of 70-feet and a span of 135-feet.
Hiking
The park has two modern (septic tank) restrooms and a small seating area. Not far from the parking lot, the trail splits: to the left, you’ll encounter a set of steep wooden stairs (more like tall ladders with planks as steps) leading to the base of the cliffs; and, to the right the trail leads to the top of the arches.
Prints
You can find many great prints available featuring my photography when you visit my gallery. Print types include framed (customizable), art, metal, canvas, wood, poster, acrylic and tapestry. Thanks for stopping by!
Information
The text and image below are from an informational placard on site:
Weaker layers of sandstone form the base of the nearly vertical walls of this narrow ridge. The weathering of these erosion-susceptible layers caused sections of the wall to fall away, forming shallow rock shelters on both sides of the ridge.
The collapse and shelter enlarging process continued until two “windows” in the narrow ridge were formed. This opening enlarged until it reached the stronger and more erosion-resistant sandstone layer of rim rock that caps the Twin Arches.
Lost Creek Falls are picturesque, and also have an interesting story. Water first flows out of a few small mountainside caves, cascading downhill until dropping 50-feet as a waterfall. Splashing into the plunge pool, below, water then disappears underground into a “sink” (or bowl), that flows approx. 250-feet into a large cave. On days like yesterday, with water plentiful, an overflow of surface-runoff into the cave is present.
In connection with Virgin Falls State Natural Area, these two parks sit atop Tennessee’s largest network of underground caverns, featuring seven miles of mapped passageways. There are only five entrances, of which Lost Creek Cave is one point of entry. The opening is approx. 20-feet high, and, once inside, it quickly becomes pitch black.
Trivia
GPS coordinates of the parking area are N35 50.442, W85 21.660
I was told there’s a 30-foot tall waterfall somewhere in the caverns
No restrooms, gift shop or food
In 1994, the Walt Disney Corporation, so pleased with the area’s natural beauty, filmed several scenes from “The Jungle Book” at both the falls and cave entrance.
Located slightly uphill along a short trail to the right of Lost Creek Falls, there are a few smaller waterfalls to enjoy, These, however, typically run dry at times of low water during summer months. Here’s a photograph of one…
Another area to enjoy is called Rylander Cascades. It’s less than a 1/2 mile drive from the Lost Creek Falls parking area, and then approx. a 1/2 mile hike from the road into the forest. Here a photograph…
Prints
Discover a variety of fine prints available in my gallery at Pixels, including: framed, art, canvas, poster, metal, wood, acrylic and tapestry. And, more!
I hope that you’ve enjoyed this post about Lost Creek Falls, and find a print of interest to purchase. Thanks for stopping by ~ enjoy the great outdoors!
This black and white photograph features a long cave at Northrup Falls, located in the Colditz Cove State Natural Area near Allardt, Tennessee. Prints and more are available in my shops at Pixels and ArtFlakes. Thanks for stopping by!
Along the trail on my Hike To Virgin Falls, I came upon a few signs leading me to Sheep Cave – a cave in the side of a mountain from which Little Laurel Creek re-emerges, flowing over a series of waterfalls before disappearing into a deep cavern underground.
It’s always interesting to see water flowing from a cave – also observed at Lost Creek State Natural Area, an adjoining park. Here, it moved over two waterfalls, the top of which was accessible via cautious maneuvers along a muddy hillside. See below…
Located at the Lost Creek State Natural Area in Tennessee, Lost Creek Cave is one of Tennessee’s largest caves, with five separate entrances and seven miles of mapped passages! This high-contrast, gritty black and white photograph of the cave entrance is available on various prints to suit your interests. Visit my shop to see more.
This stylized family photograph was copied from a slide taken sometime in the 1960’s. I’m not sure if the carvings are authentic or not, perhaps created by tourists in the area. What area – I’m not really sure? Probably somewhere in the southwestern United States. See more.
Beyond these rocks is a cave leading into a chamber within a sandstone cliff, located in Tennessee at Big South Fork State Park. Visitors can enjoy a picture – framed, canvas, art, metal, wood or acrylic – from my gallery at Pixels.
While visiting the Twin Arches in Tennessee, I explored this small cave featuring a gap at that back that allowed light to stream inside. I’ve added this photograph to my gallery at Pixels, where many prints are available to select – so, check it out…
Phil Perkins Photography 