The State of Virginia is divided into five physiographic regions. They are the Appalachian Plateau Province, Valley and Ridge Province, Blue Ridge Province, Piedmont Province, and Coastal Plain Province. Scott County lies in the Valley and Ridge Province and is characterized by long linear ridges with an elevation of 1,000 to 4,500 feet separated by valleys. It has a trellis drainage pattern.
A trellis drainage pattern looks like a common garden trellis. It develops in folded topography. The down-turned folds called synclines form the valleys where the stream runs. Tributaries run down the sides of parallel ridges called anticlines. The tributaries enter the main stream at nearly right angles.
The tributary here is Big Moccasin Creek which has cut a gap in Clinch Mountain. Clinch Mountain is the parallel ridge running with the Clinch River. It is 150 miles in length and runs mostly in a southwest-northeast direction. For its entire length, Clinch Mountain has only two true gaps. At these two gaps Clinch Mountain is cut in half by a creek and continues as Clinch Mountain on each side. You are standing in Moccasin Gap which was cut by Big Moccasin Creek. You can see Big Moccasin Creek before you. Big Moccasin Creek is a tributary of the North Fork of the Holston River. Clinch Mountain separates the Clinch River from the North Fork of the Holston River, but they will meet at the Tennessee River system.
The rocks here are mostly sedimentary rock, formed in a large inland sea millions of years ago. In an area like this softer rock is eroded, and the more resistant rock stands out as ridges or mountains. When a stream cuts a gap through a mountain that gap is often used for roads and railways. As you can see at this spot you have a very important modern road and a railway going through Clinch Mountain.
Be sure to take a look at Big Moccasin Creek and read all the historical markers. This is a very special place.
From one of the historical markers at this site:
“In March, 1775, Daniel Boone made a road through this gap to Boonesboro, Kentucky. It followed the original Indian path and was known as the Wilderness Road. For a long time it was the main route to Kentucky from the east.”
To receive credit for a find you must post a picture (optional) of yourself in front of the kiosk with your GPSr and using the historical markers and your compass or GPSr answer the following four questions:
1. On what date was the first court in this county held?
2. What two instruments did Maybelle Addington Carter play?
3. What line at this spot separated Indian Territory from land open to settlement?
4. Big Moccasin Creek cut this gap through Clinch Mountain. Using your compass or GPS, tell me in what direction Big Moccasin Creek is flowing behind the kiosk?
Thanks go to VDOT for permission to place this EarthCache.
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