Pristine Waters At Bottom Creek Gorge

By Tina Badger

Tucked away in Montgomery County, Va., is a wonderful natural treasure called Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve. In addition to hiking trails, this place is home to the globally rare chestnut lip fern, old growth hemlock forest and Bent Mountain Falls, the second highest waterfall in the state. The falls empty into Bottom Creek, a Tier III waterway. Tier III waters are defined by Virginia as exceptional bodies of water that meet strict criteria. Protection of these creeks and rivers is crucial. Given the designation of Bottom Creek, it might be surprising to learn that the 42-inch fracked-gas Mountain Valley Pipeline threatens the pristine waters of the Bent Mountain community surrounding the preserve.

A drive through the quaint and picturesque community of Bent Mountain, down curvy mountain roads past apple orchards and a winery brings you to the preserve. The Nature Conservancy, a global land conservation nonprofit, began its acquisition of the 1,657 acres in 1988. Appalachian Power donated the 74 acres with Bent Mountain Falls in 1992.

The preserve presently has about 5 miles of hiking trails divided into three separate paths. The trails can be completed as an out-and-back hike or a combination of loops. I previously hiked the Johnston Trail with my eight-year-old grandson, who greatly enjoyed it. The hikes are not too strenuous and are suitable for families. This time, I chose to hike the Knight Trail, take a side excursion on a spur of the Johnston Trail to the falls overlook and complete my hike out on the Duval Trail. An entrance road leads to all three trails.

From the parking lot, head through a turnstile and down the entrance road. Here, one of the first things that hit me was the lush rhododendrons and the wonderful fragrance of the damp woods. Temperatures here run a few degrees cooler than the Roanoke Valley, so bring layers. When I hiked, my vehicle thermometer registered about a 10-degree difference!

About half a mile in on the entrance road, the Knight Trail, blazed in yellow, appears on the left. A short way down this trail, you will see a small pond on your right. I had the entire place to myself and found it very serene. Shortly after passing the pond, you will hear the sound of “the kettles” before you see them. The kettles are a series of broad-basin waterfalls formed as Bottom Creek makes its way into the gorge. Just over halfway down the Knight Trail, a short spur leads to Bottom Creek and the kettles. Be sure to pause and enjoy the beauty of this spot! There are ample flat spaces to sit, have lunch and enjoy the pristine nature.

Bottom Creek is a habitat to four rare aquatic species — the orangefin madtom, the bigeye jumprock, the riverweed darter and the Roanoke darter. Ten percent of all fish species found in Virginia can be found in these waters. I spent a good hour listening to the sounds and taking in the scenery.

The Knight Trail continues up past this side spur and eventually intersects with the red-blazed Johnston Trail. Turning left and hiking a short distance down the Johnston Trail will bring you to the Malcolm and Jimmie Black Overlook of Bent Mountain Falls. You don’t want to miss this spectacular sight, where Camp Creek tumbles 200 feet to meet Bottom Creek, forming the second-highest waterfall in the state. Keep in mind that during dry weather, the falls may not have much water. Both times I have hiked, the falls were spectacular. The overlook is a great spot to sit and enjoy the expansive gorge and appreciate the geology and topography of the area.

To complete my hike, I returned back up the Johnston Trail a short distance and turned left on the blue-blazed Duval Trail, which is rather plain and unassuming after the falls. Of all the trails, it is probably the easiest in terms of elevation gain. The path runs through mixed hardwood and evergreens with areas of thick, brambled underbrush. About halfway to the entrance road, the log remains of an old cabin stand just off the trail, and a bit further up is an old cemetery on the left. It was quiet and eerie the day I hiked. The wind was blowing through the pines and I could almost imagine ghostly voices chattering. Here, the trail runs through evergreen forest and fields until you reach the entrance road and head back out.

The hike here really gives one an appreciation for the natural beauty of this unique area. Given the status of Bottom Creek, it’s easy to see why so many would want to protect it and other natural resources from the potential damage caused by the construction of a 42-inch fracked-gas pipeline.

While the Mountain Valley Pipeline may not cross this preserve directly, MVP has repeatedly allowed excess sedimentation in nearby waterways, such as the Roanoke River and Little Teel Creek. Instead, the waters and lands surrounding areas such as the preserve should be cherished and protected for future generations to enjoy.