The Unbelievable Devils Cave, East Rim Tunnel & Window, East Rim Overlook in Big South Fork

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  • Опубліковано 9 лис 2024
  • On a cold mid November morning my Grandson Kento and I headed out to Big South Fork. We were looking for one of the most incredible off trail features in the park, Devils Cave. The East Rim Tunnel and the nearby East Rim Window were on our list too. Kerry Woolbright would join us for the first half of our hike. We found everything we were looking for and then some. It’s hard to fathom how so many great off trail features can be so very close to a major developed area. That’s how it goes in Big South Fork.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 84

  • @flyrodhiker8326
    @flyrodhiker8326 Рік тому

    Another awesome video and trip sir! Love seeing kids playing in the woods, so much better than seeing them on phones or video games! Thanks for sharing sir!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      My Grandson does love the video games but will get out with me on some of the easier hikes. As he grows up I hope to take him on more tougher hikes. My Dad put the love of the outdoors in me, I’m hoping to do the same here.
      Thank you Fly Rod Hiker.

  • @unpavedexplorer338
    @unpavedexplorer338 2 роки тому

    Great way to spend time with your grandson. Awesome cave too.

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      Thanks John. I have to get my Grandson out with me on some of the shorter hikes. A big reason for my channel is a legacy for him. Hopefully Kento will show these videos to his own children someday... Devils Cave is really a long slot canyon. Toward the back where the canyon has narrow openings at the top, the sun shines down and gives it a surreal look and feel. The East Rim Tunnel and Window were amazing too. I don't know why I hadn't been to them before this. Thanks for watching my friend. Take care and stay safe!

  • @hasty43
    @hasty43 2 роки тому

    You certainly did have a great adventure today. Thanks for sharing with us.

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  2 роки тому

      Thank you Sue. I’m always amazed at the huge amount of awesome things there is in the Big South Fork. It’s an incredible place.

  • @kerrywoolbright5716
    @kerrywoolbright5716 2 роки тому

    Glad you found the tunnel and window. That on top of Devil's Cave was a great hike. Kento made lifelong memories. That pic w sunlight coming through the canyon was amazing.

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  2 роки тому

      Devils Cave was amazing. The East Rim Tunnel and Window were very cool too. I couldn’t believe how close they are to the trail.

  • @fiveinitaly
    @fiveinitaly Рік тому

    Awesome video !!!!! 👍👍👍👍👍

  • @homesteadingwithsadie
    @homesteadingwithsadie 2 роки тому

    wow that is awesome tunnels through the rock formations, wonderful

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  2 роки тому

      Thank you Sadie. There are just great formations almost everywhere in Big South Fork. These in this video were pretty amazing.

  • @JimHayesHiking
    @JimHayesHiking Рік тому

    That was awesome! To see Kento out with you again is great. Devil's Cave was amazing and the tunnel you ''fetched'' him from was really cool as well. Great ,great day you two had!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      Thanks Jim. This hike was because Kento wanted to get out there with me. He did great! To see him climbing and crawling on and through everything did my old heart a lot of good. He’ll have these memories long after I’m gone. Hopefully he’ll show these to his children someday. Kento is my hero! Take care my friend. Stay safe and healthy!

  • @PetersJukebox
    @PetersJukebox Рік тому

    very interesting video. very beautiful nature pictures. very impressive! I thank you for posting. kind regards... 👍15

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      Thank you so much. Big South Fork is a huge area with so many awesome things to experience. I don't think I'll live long enough to see everything I'd like to see. Take care and stay safe!

  • @mapsfordays
    @mapsfordays Рік тому

    Gorgeous views thank you for also inspiring viewer to get out and enjoy the great outdoors! 💚24 ✌🏽👍🏽🌿

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому +1

      Big South Fork is full of things like this. The majority of them don’t have developed trails to them. I want folks to come out and experience them for themselves. If not here, just get out somewhere. It’s great for your health, mind and soul. Thank you so much Maps For Days. I do appreciate it. Take care, stay healthy and safe!

  • @gregbennett3778
    @gregbennett3778 2 роки тому

    Very cool place. Thanks for sharing

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  2 роки тому +1

      Thanks Greg. Pretty short hike to some amazing things. Sure surprised me!

  • @Packsalot
    @Packsalot Рік тому +1

    Well that looked like a great place to explore. Lots of nooks and crannies to wander and crawl through. It is great to see you out with your grandson. These are the fun trips he will remember the most. Awesome times in an awesome area. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Have a great day and Happy Thanksgiving.

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому +1

      I appreciate that Packs because you had your sons and a grandson out with you not long ago. You understand exactly what times like these mean. I loved our hike but the memories Kenton will have are the biggest thing. I hope someday he will show some of our hikes to his children. He’s the reason I chose the name “Papaw” for my channel. It’s a legacy for him… Take care and have a great Thanksgiving!

    • @Packsalot
      @Packsalot Рік тому

      @@papawinthewoods That is awesome. Great choice in the name. Adventure on!

  • @AdventureAwaits4u
    @AdventureAwaits4u 2 роки тому

    Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to go check this out.

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  2 роки тому

      You will be glad you did. It’s pretty amazing!

  • @jimmystaffey3625
    @jimmystaffey3625 2 роки тому

    Awesome. The tunnel and window were great extras. Looking forward to seeing it.

    • @jimmystaffey3625
      @jimmystaffey3625 2 роки тому

      Love that shaft of sunlight. Is there a certain time of day to get it at its best ???

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  2 роки тому

      @@jimmystaffey3625 When the sun is at its peak in the sky. Probably 12:00 to 1:00 or so.

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  2 роки тому

      It’s very easy to get to Staffey. The rope climb is the hardest part and I wouldn’t call it difficult.

  • @Margueritetchek1
    @Margueritetchek1 Рік тому

    Such a lovely place to visit and I like the whole content . Thanks foe sharing

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      That’s very nice of you Marguerite. Thank you for watching and commenting. I do appreciate it. Take care, stay healthy and safe!

  • @MinuteontheMountain
    @MinuteontheMountain Рік тому

    You are blessed to explore some beautiful areas, my friend. That looked like a great time.

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      I really am blessed in so many ways. Big South Fork sits high on the Cumberland Plateau and is just full of natural wonders. I’ll never see them all, but I’m going to give it my best shot! Thanks Minute on the Mountain. Take care, be safe and stay healthy my friend.

  • @Rhesvhil72
    @Rhesvhil72 Рік тому

    Great sharing so good place

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      Thank you Vhil99. I'm so happy you enjoyed it. Take care, stay healthy and safe.

  • @tvlussoart5063
    @tvlussoart5063 Рік тому

    Big like nice upload beautiful share excellent video

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      Thank you so much. It’s all made possible by the beautiful area I live in. Take care and stay healthy!

  • @rambarimba0157
    @rambarimba0157 Рік тому

    Beautiful vlog thanks for sharing

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      Thank you Ramba rimba 01. I sure appreciate the comment, the view and the subscription. I returned it! Take care and stay safe!

  • @dflute1141
    @dflute1141 Рік тому

    Thank you for showing me rare views in the forest ⛰🌲😃👍

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому +1

      It’s all my pleasure dflute. I thank you for watching and making a nice comment. Take care, stay healthy and safe!

  • @TrailHunters
    @TrailHunters Рік тому

    Haven’t been to Devils Cave in years. Need to go back! And all that awesome stuff y’all found! Amazing! I remember the last time we were there we wanted to explore but the skies opened up on us and we had to turn back. It’s past time for us to return. Thanks for showing all that great stuff! What an adventure!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому +1

      My Grandson wanted to go hiking so I chose one close to home that wouldn't be too long for him. Devil's Cave is awesome, and the East Rim Tunnel and the East Rim Window were a lot more than I thought they would be. They were so close to the trail too. It turned out to be an amazing day for one that was just meant to be a short little hike for the grandson. He loved It. Maybe someday he'll show it to his own children and tell them about his Papaw (in the Woods). Today we saw some great sights, more importantly, we made some lasting memories!

    • @TrailHunters
      @TrailHunters Рік тому

      @@papawinthewoods making those memories is the best part!

  • @tonyaseitzman5698
    @tonyaseitzman5698 Рік тому

    That was really cool! Lots of windows and tunnels and shelters and marker trees and hand lines and and and Big South Fork adventuring!!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому +1

      All this stuff is very close to East Rim Overlook too! It’s amazing how a lot of awesome things are very close to developed in Big South Fork. It’s so very underdeveloped! Thanks Tonya, take care and stay safe.

    • @tonyaseitzman5698
      @tonyaseitzman5698 Рік тому

      Papaw, did yall walk down to Devils Cave from the top of the East Rim Overlook? I thought rapelling was the only way down, so I'm really interested in this info.

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому +1

      @@tonyaseitzman5698 Yep, we walked all the way to it, except for the little rope climb. When you drive in to the East Rim Parking Area you keep right. After making the turn at the bottom of the loop and start driving back out there will be parking slips beginning on your right. At about the 3rd. parking spot you notice a worn trail going into the woods. No signage, just an undeveloped trail. That’s it. In a couple hundred yards look for the rope climb. Go down it, then another downhill area and stay left. It’ll lead you around the cliffs right to Devils Cave. It’s a quick, easy hike to an awesome slot canyon.

    • @tonyaseitzman5698
      @tonyaseitzman5698 Рік тому

      Did you take the O&W bridge to get across the river?

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому +1

      @@tonyaseitzman5698 No, the East Rim Overlook is on the top of the mountain on the East side of the river above Leatherwood Ford, straight across from the Park Rangers Station. All paved roads to get there including the parking area. We did a hike a month ago from the west side of the O&W Bridge. If you haven't watched it, you should just see how awesome Needles Eye is. It's a 150 foot long tunnel through the end of the ridge. It's amazing!

  • @koharu.channnel
    @koharu.channnel Рік тому +1

    Very nice💕💕😊

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      Thank you so much. I’m happy you approve. Take care, stay healthy and safe!

  • @100TourKorea
    @100TourKorea Рік тому

    It's a wonderful landscape that retains the beauty of Mother Nature!
    Wow! Fantastic work by nature, cave! Great sharing the beautiful nature including unbelievable Devil Cave, my friend! Thanks!
    Hello! Greetings from 100tour KOREA! I am new to your channel! See you, my friend! Have a great day!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      Thank You 100Tour Korea! Nature creates works of art for sure. Man can't compete with her. I'm so fortunate to live in a gorgeous area. I'm just trying to share a bit of the beauty with others. Take Care and stay safe my friend.

  • @karlo8093
    @karlo8093 2 роки тому

    Good seeing you out with Kento again. Tell him hi from me please. What a day of discoveries! Each one was really neat. Been to the East Rim overlook several times but haven't ventured around the rim any otherwise. Sure, want to now! Devil's cave was quite fascinating, but then so was everything else. Gonna have to add that to my list. Thanks Papaw really enjoyed!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  2 роки тому

      Thanks Karl. If you had known how close Devils Cave was you would have been there already. A big part of the hike was about making another video with Kento. He really liked the off trail hiking. We found some awesome things too. It was a day to remember for sure.

  • @NicoleHikesalot
    @NicoleHikesalot Рік тому

    What a great area, BSF is so full of adventure. I loved seeing the Devils Cave. Awesome slot canyon for sure. The tunnel and window was great too. Definitely an awesome area. The details in the rocks are always so great to see. It looked like you guys had a great time out there. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому +1

      Thank you Nicole. Devils Cave is so easy to get to. You and Tim should see it for yourselves if you are ever in the neighborhood again. It has to be seen to be fully appreciated. The East Rim Tunnel and Window are special too, just a bit more difficult to get down to. They aren’t much over a hundred yards from East Rim Overlook! I named my channel because “Papaw” is the most spoken word I’ve heard since Kenton started talking. I’m leaving him some things to show his children someday when I’m gone. It’s a legacy for him… Take care Nicole. Hopefully our trails will cross again!

    • @NicoleHikesalot
      @NicoleHikesalot Рік тому

      @@papawinthewoods I know they will cross again for sure. We plan to return to bsf in Feb or March, weather depending. And we might spend memorial day weekend there too.

  • @anandaargonosocruztravelvl9633

    Thanks for sharing this great adventure . 👍😍 Greetings and new sub here 👋🇮🇹🇨🇭❣️👋😊

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      Thank you Amanda. I appreciate that. I hike with a great group of adventurous friends who will go into the toughest places imaginable. It’s always an adventure with them! Take care, stay healthy and safe!

  • @chrissexton1587
    @chrissexton1587 2 роки тому +1

    I've been there before been a long time a go it's neat

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  2 роки тому +1

      It is a neat thing. I’d never been there before. I have no idea what took me so long. Thanks for watching Big Dawg.

    • @chrissexton1587
      @chrissexton1587 2 роки тому

      @@papawinthewoods really enjoy your videos bud keep them coming hopefully I can get out there with you soon bud 👍

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  2 роки тому

      @@chrissexton1587 Next Saturday we’re going on a pretty short hike to several neat things. It’ll be a pretty big group hike. Bring the little woman and join us. Gage will be there.

  • @gungaho
    @gungaho Рік тому

    I bet Kento enjoyed this adventure and perhaps inspire him to be an explorer like his grandfather.

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому +1

      I know he enjoyed his day. He wants to go more often. That's the dream Aron, for him to love the outdoors. I want him to be out here somewhere instead of all the places where he could go astray. I could die and be happy then! Thanks my friend.

  • @ParaisoSensorial
    @ParaisoSensorial Рік тому

    New friend here.
    Excellent video.
    You have a wonderful channel.
    My best wishes for you. 🔔💚34

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      I sure appreciate your comment Paraiso Sensorial. That’s so nice of you. Please come on back for more. Take care, stay safe and healthy my friend!

  • @MichaelBose-pm8mr
    @MichaelBose-pm8mr Рік тому

    Awesome video!! We were there the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Incredible place the graffiti was a sore spot though. My wife and I have been kinda taking a break from the Cumberland Trail and the Smokies so we have starting checking out more of Big South Fork and DBNF. Recently I started watching your videos and they are very helpful thanks for sharing. Hopefully we are coming up this weekend to venture down into No Business. Your vid's of that area are incredible!!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      The purpose of my videos are to attempt to be of help to anyone who wants to see the Big South Fork. I would like to thing that if someone sit down to watch one of them, had a map beside them, they could almost plot out the same course we take.
      I’m thrilled you enjoy them! By the way, my group and I will be going to No Business this Saturday too. We’ll be going in from Terry Cemetery at 10:00 am eastern time and will be taking the Maude’s Crack Trail. We’re going off-trail to search for some historical places before arriving at No Business Creek. Maybe our paths will cross. Especially if you are at Terry Cemetery!
      I appreciate your great comment and for visiting my channel. It’s about showing off what BSF has to offer and to help others get to experience it too. If I can help in any way just let me know. I’ll be happy to assist you any way I can. Thanks Michael. Take care and be safe!

    • @MichaelBose-pm8mr
      @MichaelBose-pm8mr Рік тому

      @@papawinthewoods We will be using the Terry Cemetery TH too going to Cap Rock, then down into Bettys Branch back up Maude's Crack. Then going to hunt for Cowboy Arch. I hope our path's do cross I would love to meet you in person and have the opportunity to chat a bit. If not tomorrow I would definitely like to maybe meet sometime to just talk or/and hike. Take care brother thanks for all you do and be careful out there!!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      @@MichaelBose-pm8mr There is a good chance of running into each other this Saturday. I’d be happy to chat for a bit, or meeting up sometime in the future.
      As for Cowboy Arch, it looks pretty awesome. I have been wanting to se it for a couple of years but can’t figure a good route to it. I only know one person who has been to it. He said he went to it from near Scorpio Arch. Scorpio Arch is a very nice arch too. Anyway, we stood on the hill around from it and could see the bluff line where Cowboy Arch is located. Both hillsides were extremely steep and overgrown with rhododendron. So we haven’t attempted it yet. I would allow at the very least half of a day to get to it and back out.
      Take care and be safe. Hopefully we’ll meet Saturday, if not we will in the future.

    • @MichaelBose-pm8mr
      @MichaelBose-pm8mr Рік тому +1

      @@papawinthewoods If we don't meet we will soon hopefully. I have a couple ideas about how to approach Cowboy one should work out. If it does I'll flag it and record our route and send ya info.

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      @@MichaelBose-pm8mr That would be great! I’d really like to know how to get to Cowboy without a lot of trial and error. I appreciate that.

  • @charlesblankenship539
    @charlesblankenship539 Рік тому

    I am sure this has been asked before but where do you find info on these offtrail features?
    I am thoroughly enjoying your videos!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      Thanks Charles. I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos.
      There are several sources for finding out where things are located. I am always looking at the “Big South Fork Landforms” website. It has a lot of formations and waterfalls listed on it. The site is hard to navigate though. I go to the section that says “Google Maps”. It puts you on a map with formations/waterfalls on it. You can click on them to bring up the item. It frequently has a pic and gps coordinates.
      Another source is word of mouth. I’ve heard of a lot of these things for years. It also seems the more I hike the more people want to tell me about these things. Sometimes they aren’t on the landforms site. If we know the general location we go searching for them.
      Lastly, we always have a plan. Sometimes when looking for one thing we just stumble upon something awesome. We have completely abandoned our original plan and followed a great bluff line and find some cool stuff.
      Big South Fork is like that. You literally can’t go wrong. There’s something around every corner, every bend. It’s a truly a unique place.
      I appreciate your question and curiosity. If you ever need any assistance locating anything all you have to do is ask. I’ll help you out with anything that will help you see any of the outstanding things in Big South Fork.

    • @charlesblankenship539
      @charlesblankenship539 Рік тому

      @@papawinthewoods thanks so much!
      I am really looking forward to exploring the area.
      We live on our farm on the Cumberland Plateau near Savage Gulf State Park and have thoroughly enjoyed exploring that over the years.
      Can’t wait to spend some time camping and exploring there! Keep those videos coming!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      @@charlesblankenship539 Backcountry campsites in Big South Fork aren’t National Park Service Campsites. They’re just established sites people have used for years. You won’t find them on any map. There are some good ones but sometimes they are miles apart. Hopefully you’ll find a good one and enjoy a night or two in solitude. You can spend a few days in the backcountry and see few, if any other hikers. I like it that way.
      The wildflowers in the Spring and Fall are amazing! The views from the remote overlooks are awesome. The bears are still wild and afraid of humans. There’s no reason for an outdoor lover to not come to BSF. You’ll love it here!

    • @charlesblankenship539
      @charlesblankenship539 Рік тому

      @@papawinthewoods being able to camp outside of designated sites is a big draw for me. Savage Gulf restricts you to their designated sites.
      And, we love the wildflowers. So that will be a big draw.
      Thanks for mentioning the wild bears. That makes camping so much more enjoyable. The Smokies have been ruined in my opinion by the human habituated bears. We actually have bears on our farm but rarely see them as they are not human habituated and flee as soon as they see or scent us.
      Thanks again for all the info.

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому +1

      @@charlesblankenship539 You’re welcome! As for the bears, they’ve bothered no one in BSF that I know of. Still, take the normal precautions, hang your food bag away from camp, make noise while hiking, you know the drill. They live their lives following their nose. Don’t give them reason to come near camp. In many ways they’re a blessing. We find dozens of holes where they have dug out yellow jacket nests. That’s great by me!
      As I said earlier, if you need anything all you have to do is ask. I’m happy to help.

  • @ronniemeador3537
    @ronniemeador3537 2 роки тому

    do you ever run to any bears

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  2 роки тому

      From time to time we do. We’re usually in a group of at least 4 people. Most times there are more of us than that. You’ll hardly ever see a bear in a group like that. I have seen them while solo hiking. It’s an unsettling feeling for sure. I carry bear spray. There’s a healthy population here in Big South Fork. You can’t get out without seeking recent sign of their presence. But they’re unaccustomed to humans here, not like the bears in the Smoky Mountains that see humans almost daily.

  • @MyTravelVanz58
    @MyTravelVanz58 Рік тому

    Thats amazing exploration adventure so beautiful out there. Its so good to see whats in there. Thanks for walking …big thumbs up!

    • @papawinthewoods
      @papawinthewoods  Рік тому

      I live in an area with literally hundreds of incredible features. Just trying to get to as many as I can and bring them to those who are interested. I can't seem to stay out of the woods for long anyway! Thank you so much for the comment My Travel Vanz. I do appreciate it. Take care, stay healthy and safe.