Devil's Bathtub: Difference between revisions

From TEHCC Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Added waypoints from hike)
No edit summary
 
(7 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
{{Trail
{{Infobox Trail
|Banner Image=File:Devils Bathtub Trail splash pool.jpg
                    | Image Name = Devils Bathtub Trail splash pool.jpg  
|City=Ft. Blackmore
                    | City = Ft. Blackmore
|Trail Marking=Yellow
                    | State = Virginia
|Trail Use=Hiking
                    | Marking = Yellow
|Trail Features=Waterfalls, Vistas, Mountains
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Waterfall}} {{Camping}}
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
                    | Difficulty Rating = Medium
|Hike Time=5 hrs
                    | Hike Time = 5
|Trail Distance=7.392 mi
                    | Distance = 7.38
|Round Trip Distance=7.392 mi
                    | Elevation Gain = 2,363
|Trail Type=Loop
                    | High Point = 2,881
|High Point=2,878 ft
                    | Latitude = 36.819393
|Low Point=1,595 ft
                    | Longitude = -82.628531
|Elevation Gain=1,511 ft
                    | Medical = Kingsport, TN
|Elevation Loss=1,525 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=Counter Clockwise
|Parking location=36.81939, -82.62853
|Trailhead location=36.81939, -82.62853
}}
}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
{{Trail Map}}


<!-- Start of Main Page -->
__TOC__


== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
Located in the Jefferson National Forest, a loop hike along Devils Fork Creek with several fords, interesting Devils Bathtub pool, and sandstone cliffs with coal seams.
Located in the Jefferson National Forest, a loop hike along Devils Fork Creek with several fords, interesting Devils Bathtub pool, and sandstone cliffs with coal seams.


Line 37: Line 39:


== Route Description==
== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
[[File:Devils bathtub profile.png|thumb|right]]
Hike up Devil Fork from parking area and loop up on mountain and back. There are several fords (at least ten). There is an interesting pool just downstream from the Devil’s Bathtub. On trail above the pool, a sign points downstream to the actual Devils Bathtub pool. To make a longer hike, continue upstream, then follow trail up right side of mountain. This eventually levels out and circles back to the old road leading back to the parking area.
Hike up Devil Fork from parking area and loop up on mountain and back. There are several fords (at least ten). There is an interesting pool just downstream from the Devil’s Bathtub. On trail above the pool, a sign points downstream to the actual Devils Bathtub pool. To make a longer hike, continue upstream, then follow trail up right side of mountain. This eventually levels out and circles back to the old road leading back to the parking area.


== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Per another trail review [http://www.traillink.com/trail/devils-fork-loop-trail.aspx site], "Although the trail follows yellow blazes for its entire 7 miles, poor maintenance means it is often difficult to find the blazes-and the path, which, in several places, scrambles over large rocks or up very steep cliff faces."
Per another trail review [http://www.traillink.com/trail/devils-fork-loop-trail.aspx site], "Although the trail follows yellow blazes for its entire 7 miles, poor maintenance means it is often difficult to find the blazes-and the path, which, in several places, scrambles over large rocks or up very steep cliff faces."
In April 2014, a rescue crew had to help two groups of hikers lost from this trail.  One was over a mile off.  [http://www.timesnews.net/article/9075423/search-crews-find-two-groups-of-lost-hikers-in-scott-county news article]  Later in the month, it was also reported that Weber City BSA Troop 86 cleaned up the trail head and painted yellow blazes along the most difficult sections of this trail.


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
No fees or permits required for day hiking or camping. Managed by Clinch Ranger District (Wise, VA) Tel: 276-328-2931 (M-F 8AM-4:30PM)
No fees or permits required for day hiking or camping. Managed by Clinch Ranger District (Wise, VA) Tel: 276-679-8370 (M-F 8AM-4:30PM)
 
== After the Hike ==
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... -->
 


== Misc. Information ==
== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
See also the excellent write-up in [[http://www.explorescottcountyva.com/article.php?category=fortblackmore&id=41 Explore Scott County]] website.
See also the excellent write-up in [http://www.explorescottcountyva.com/article.php?category=fortblackmore&id=41 Explore Scott County] website.


No facilities at the parking lot.  Bring your own water.
No facilities at the parking lot.  Bring your own water.
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
A [http://www.explorescottcountyva.com/uploads/media/81259devilsfork.jpg trail map] is provided on the Explore Scott County website.
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.817" lon="-82.649" type="terrain" zoom="13" width="725" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Devils_Bathtub_Trail.kml
(C) 36.81337,-82.64956
Devil's Bathtub
(A) 36.8185,-82.6266
Parking
(G) 36.81945,-82.62895
Trailhead - first yellow blaze
36.828065,-82.635321
Unknown turn off
36.829777,-82.639405
Unknown turn off
(J) 36.829916,-82.646249
Stream Crossing
36.828798,-82.646228
Unknown turn off
36.828864,-82.646562
Unknown turn off
36.827998,-82.647262
Large rock outcropping
(J) 36.830936,-82.650125
Dry stream crossing
(J) 36.830195,-82.652936
Dry stream crossing
(J) 36.830292,-82.655044
Dry stream crossing
36.828593,-82.655817
Cross 4-wheeler trail
(J) 36.82778,-82.658
Dry stream crossing
(J) 36.82434,-82.661539
Small stream crossing
(J) 36.823801,-82.66218
Dry stream crossing
(J) 36.823656,-82.666207
Stream Crossing
36.81648,-82.66277
Tricky turn
36.815412,-82.66141
View of rock outcropping
(J) 36.814426,-82.660185
Stream crossing
36.813264,-82.658594
Stay left
36.812369,-82.658383
Major blowdown
(J) 36.812426,-82.658125
Wide stream crossing
36.813137,-82.657478
Stream meeting in pool
36.813188,-82.657309
Turn off down
36.813611,-82.65677
Rock cliff - no blazes
(J) 36.813237,-82.651106
Stream crossing
36.81335,-82.649643
Swimming hole
(J) 36.813155,-82.64584
Stream crossing
(J) 36.813563,-82.644906
Stream crossing
(J) 36.813319,-82.644219
Stream crossing
36.814601,-82.642261
Major blowdown
(J) 36.814993,-82.641946
Stream crossing
(J) 36.815712,-82.64056
Stream crossing
(J) 36.818058,-82.635232
Stream crossing
(J) 36.819229,-82.631254
Multiple stream crossing
</googlemap>
Note:  Google Maps does show the path as "Devils Fork Loop Trail".


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
<gallery>
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
{{Map Marker
 
|Icon Type=Waterfall
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
|Marker Title=Devil's Bathtub
</gallery>
|Marker Location=36.81337,-82.64956
 
}}
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]]. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
{{Map Marker
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Medium]] [[Category:Waterfalls]] [[Category:Camping]]
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Parking
|Marker Location=36.8185,-82.6266
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trailhead - first yellow blaze
|Marker Location=36.81945,-82.62895
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Unknown turn off
|Marker Location=36.828065,-82.635321
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Unknown turn off
|Marker Location=36.829777,-82.639405
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Stream Crossing
|Marker Location=36.829916,-82.646249
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Unknown turn off
|Marker Location=36.828798,-82.646228
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Unknown turn off
|Marker Location=36.828864,-82.646562
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Large rock outcropping
|Marker Location=36.827998,-82.647262
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Dry stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.830936,-82.650125
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Dry stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.830195,-82.652936
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Dry stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.830292,-82.655044
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Cross 4-wheeler trail
|Marker Location=36.828593,-82.655817
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Dry stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.82778,-82.658
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Small stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.82434,-82.661539
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Dry stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.823801,-82.66218
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Stream Crossing
|Marker Location=36.823656,-82.666207
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Tricky turn
|Marker Location=36.81648,-82.66277
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=View of rock outcropping
|Marker Location=36.815412,-82.66141
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.814426,-82.660185
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Stay left
|Marker Location=36.813264,-82.658594
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Major blowdown
|Marker Location=36.812369,-82.658383
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Wide stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.812426,-82.658125
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Stream meeting in pool
|Marker Location=36.813137,-82.657478
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Turn off down
|Marker Location=36.813188,-82.657309
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Rock cliff - no blazes
|Marker Location=36.813611,-82.65677
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.813237,-82.651106
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Swimming hole
|Marker Location=36.81335,-82.649643
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.813155,-82.64584
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.813563,-82.644906
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.813319,-82.644219
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Major blowdown
|Marker Location=36.814601,-82.642261
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.814993,-82.641946
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.815712,-82.64056
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.818058,-82.635232
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Water crossing
|Marker Title=Multiple stream crossing
|Marker Location=36.819229,-82.631254
}}

Latest revision as of 23:10, 10 January 2020

Devil's Bathtub

(log in to submit report)
Devils Bathtub Trail splash pool.jpg
Located Ft. Blackmore, Virginia
Trail Marking Yellow
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

Hiking

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

WaterfallsVistasMountains

Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 5 hrs0.313 Days <br />300 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 7.392 mi11.896 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 7.392 mi11.896 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type Loop
Low / High Point 1,595 ft531.667 Yards <br />486.156 Meters <br />2,878 ft959.333 Yards <br />877.214 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 1,511 ft460.553 Meters <br /> / (1,525 ft464.82 Meters <br />) – Counter Clockwise
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list No other Trails within 5 mi
Parking 36° 49' 9.80" N, 82° 37' 42.71" W Map
Trailhead 36° 49' 9.80" N, 82° 37' 42.71" W Map
Loading map...
Show In Google Maps
Loading map...

Download KML / Upload new version / KML File Page / Create Profile Chart / gpsvisualizer Map

Trail Overview[edit]

Located in the Jefferson National Forest, a loop hike along Devils Fork Creek with several fords, interesting Devils Bathtub pool, and sandstone cliffs with coal seams.

How to get there[edit]

From Gate City, VA

  1. Take VA 71 east out of town.
  2. Turn on VA 72 and proceed north for 11 miles to and through Ft. Blackmore.
  3. Turn left/north onto VA 619 (Big Stoney Creek Road).
  4. Cross Stoney Creek and swing right with VA 619.
  5. After 4.3 miles on VA 619, enter the National Forest.
  6. Turn left past Devil Fork Fishing/Hunting Club (sign) onto a gravel road (FS Road 213/Alley Valley Rd).
  7. After 0.25 mile on the gravel road, turn left on a narrow right-of-way between a garage and small white house (FS Road 619).
  8. Parking area is in about 0.25 miles at trailhead.

Other visitors have noted that if your vehicle doesn't have good ground clearance (ie, is a sedan), you may want to park at the bottom of the hill near the creek.

Route Description[edit]

Devils bathtub profile.png

Hike up Devil Fork from parking area and loop up on mountain and back. There are several fords (at least ten). There is an interesting pool just downstream from the Devil’s Bathtub. On trail above the pool, a sign points downstream to the actual Devils Bathtub pool. To make a longer hike, continue upstream, then follow trail up right side of mountain. This eventually levels out and circles back to the old road leading back to the parking area.

Typical Conditions[edit]

Per another trail review site, "Although the trail follows yellow blazes for its entire 7 miles, poor maintenance means it is often difficult to find the blazes-and the path, which, in several places, scrambles over large rocks or up very steep cliff faces."

In April 2014, a rescue crew had to help two groups of hikers lost from this trail. One was over a mile off. news article Later in the month, it was also reported that Weber City BSA Troop 86 cleaned up the trail head and painted yellow blazes along the most difficult sections of this trail.

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

No fees or permits required for day hiking or camping. Managed by Clinch Ranger District (Wise, VA) Tel: 276-679-8370 (M-F 8AM-4:30PM)

Misc. Information[edit]

See also the excellent write-up in Explore Scott County website.

No facilities at the parking lot. Bring your own water.

Photos[edit]