Cumberland Gap

Rocks at Pinnacle

Info board

Real view

Town

Flowers of course

White moth with black spots

Fantastic formations

Broken ends from souvenir takers

Lots of cave diamonds

Mineral colors

Graffiti and weird formations

Iron oxide red

Manganese black

Surprise! We actually took a day off and went touring! We went an hour north east to Great Cumberland Gap National Historic Park where we visited several sites The first place we came to was actually the second on the hiking map. This is the Daniel Boone parking area. We drove around the lot then went down to the town of Cumberland Gap. We parked in the Iron Furnace lot and walked the quarter mile to what is left of the iron works. From there we drove through the tunnel to KY and the park visitors' center. I got my National Parks Passport stamped then we drove the Pinnacle Road to the trail head and ate lunch in the truck. From there we took the short walk to the mountain top overlook and to the Fort Lyon site. This particular spot changed hands several time during the Civil War. These were actually in VA. Time to drive back to the Daniel Boone trail head. There we joined 16 other people and two rangers for the Gap Cave tour also in VA so we visited three states today. This was a popular tour spot when the road was first there. Some of the caves were used for local meetings, weddings, etc. Many people left graffiti and took pieces of the formations. The caves were gated in 1992, and ranger led tours limited to 20 people. All of the electricity and other introduced items removed. Cement walkways were poured and metal steps and rails installed. Now the only lights are from the ranger provided flashlights. The tour took 2 hours and was well worth the $8 fee ($4 with the senior park pass). By that time it was 4:30. We decided to call it a day and hit some of the longer trails another day.

Till next time

Duane and Louise