Cascades

The Cascades area is one of Virginia's most popular scenic attractions. The highlight of the area is a spectacular 66-foot waterfall flowing into the gorge of Little Stony Creek. The waterfall is reached via the easy Cascades National Recreation Trail. Day hikers can follow the creek to a second set of falls and join the 3-mile Conservancy Trail along the rim of the gorge. The area features Barneys Wall, a tall cliff near 4,200-foot Butt Mountain, which overlooks the New River Valley.

The area is characterized by rich Appalachian vegetation. Along with a profusion of spring wildflowers, naturalists can find walking fern and the unusual Jeffersonian twin-leaf. The area contains 445 acres of potential old growth.

Little Stony Creek is a popular trout stream. The Forest Service determined that a 3.2-mile segment of Little Stony Creek flowing through the area is eligible for designation under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. In winter, the creek and falls are resplendent with natural ice sculptures.

Approximate Size: 1 ,8333
Location: Glies County, northeast of Pembroke, Blacksburg Ranger District
Topo: Eggleston