This past Saturday, May 9, 2026, exactly one year after Tennessee dedicated its 60th state park, our hiking crew answered the call once again to the Cumberland Plateau.

We returned to what’s now known as Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park, the rugged new consolidation of the old Lost Creek State Natural Area, Virgin Falls State Natural Area, and Dog Cove. Clocking in at more than 9,500 acres of deep canyons, plunging waterfalls, ancient karst geology, and rich Plateau history near Sparta in White County, it made for a perfect anniversary ramble in the wild.

This time, Diane Johnson Greer (DJ) was our crew leader from start to finish. She picked the hike, and she chose well. DJ lives just south of Baxter, TN, and carries deep family ties to this part of the state, which always adds extra heart to our outings. She gathered the four of us – herself, her grandson Bubby (James), Rock Sprite Kitty Myers, and your narrator Badger – and pointed us toward the trailhead to Rylander Cascade, just south of the Lost Creek Falls parking area. We drove from south of Baxter, and the trip was a quick, easy run on roads familiar to DJ with a bit of gravel near the end.

The Dry Creek Falls Crew

The trail wasted no time wrapping us in that signature Cumberland Plateau quiet. Barely a half mile in, we stood at the base of Rylander, a graceful spring-fed drop that disappears into a classic middle Tennessee swallet underground, running strong after recent and needed rain. We lingered for photos while young Bubby explored the edges under watchful eyes as the spring wildflowers brightened the forest floor.

From there, we followed the trail to the junction of the Dry Creek and Virgin Falls routes, taking the path to the creek, which became rocky and rooty in spots and with enough climb to earn its moderate to difficult rating – which we indeed handled with aplomb.

Then came the payoff: Dry Creek Falls. This quintessential rockhouse waterfall delivered in full with the main drop eventually pouring into a small, clear pool. We claimed boulders for seats, broke out the snacks, and let the sound of rushing water wash the time away. The spot felt wild, welcoming, and just secluded enough.

DJ, ever the proud grandmother and crew leader, captured one of my favorite moments of the day when she snapped a shot of me explaining to young Bubby how to frame a photo with my Canon EOS R6 Mark II. We were crouched by the creek, viewing the waterfall shot on the camera’s LED screen. You can see the pure focus and wonder on his face, and that photo tells a memorable story of curiosity and teaching.

As we returned toward Rylander after a foray into the boulders down the creek from Dry Creek Falls, I couldn’t help thinking back eleven years ago when DJ, John Forbes, and I first hiked to Rylander Cascade in what was then the old natural area. That day, I snapped the very first “Gnome Pose” photo of John, kick-starting a tradition that’s now spanned over a decade. Rock Sprite honored the Gnome’s legacy this time with her own version of the pose. Having DJ lead us back to the same place with her Bubby in tow felt like full circle in the best way.

We logged roughly 3 miles out and back as the shaded canopy kept the spring conditions comfortable. Our crew came out refreshed by nature, happy, and already talking about the next hike. DJ definitely picked a winner once again!

Many of the HoneyBadgerImages are on display at instagram.com/honeybadgerimages.

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