After many trips to the Fancy Gap and
New River area, we've seen almost everything.
But I had heard of a place near Fancy Gap called
Devil's Den, which we had never investigated.
I read what I could find on the internet and it
intrigued me. So after breakfast we headed off
in search of it. From Highway 58 in Fancy Gap
we turned on to Old Appalachian Trail Road. We
followed it for a little over a mile and turned on
a side road with an old cemetery.
These lovely roadside flowers are chicory,
which I have an abiding affection for.
Here it is, just as I expected.
Devil's Den Nature Preserve is a privately
owned endeavor. You can search it on the
internet to find out more. On the back of
the entrance sign are the stated wishes of
its founder.
The preserve is 282 acres, but by far the
main attraction is Devil's Den Cave. This
sign gives a warning we did not take lightly.
Even the trees seemed to offer a warning.
Turn around before it's too late!
GO BACK . . . GO BACK !!!
About two-thirds of the way on our
descent down the mountain was this little
hillock. I didn't know it then, but the cavern
was just under our feet, though far below.
The trail was pleasant, though steep. We saw
myriad wildflowers. But nary a person. Not
a single soul, during our entire visit, which lent
to the eerie feeling we began to experience.
Even though the narrow trail was little used,
it wasn't hard to follow. When we weren't sure
whether to turn right or left, we saw this sign:
CAVE.
On we went, following the trail underneath
a cliffside. Then-- we were there!
The following photos can only give a hint
of what it felt like to be there. This wasn't
like visiting a tourist site, like Mammoth Cave
or Luray Caverns. We felt very alone.
Rather than the stereotypical cave entrance,
we encountered a jumbled pile of jagged
boulders, great and small.
The dark sector at center is the
actual cave entrance. Warnings on
the internet cautioned people not to
enter the cave on their own. I read
that local rescue workers undergo
periodic training to enable them to
rescue people from this cave. It has
only been explored some 140 feet in.
The rock formation above the cave.
You could not simply walk to this cave
entrance. You had to climb. And it wasn't
easy. Judy took my picture from far above
after I made my way this far.
I could have climbed closer, but some things
are more fun just left to imagination. And
I'm sure I'll want to go back again some day.
One thing that was particularly unnerving
was the way you could look under several
small rock formations and see openings that
descended through open space in total darkness.
"Ken, do you think we'd better start back
before Mama and Daddy send out a search
party?" Yeah, I guess so.
Yes, our visit to Devil's Den was a highlight
of the trip. It's not for everybody. The trail
is strenuous, but the result is exhilarating!
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