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The
key word is natural. If you ignore all man's intrusions, the rock bridge
Thomas Jefferson called "the most sublime of nature's works" still enthralls.
Jefferson's
enthusiasm was in part proprietal, since he owned the bridge. It and Niagara
Falls were considered wonders of the New World. Natural Bridge was
part of a 157-acre tract Jefferson acquired from King George III for 20
shillings, or less than $5, just two years before the Revolution. Once he had
acquired it, Jefferson refused to sell the bridge, calling his ownership a
"public trust" to make sure that it was available to the people.
The Natural Bridge
is a massive geological structure rising 215 feet above meandering Cedar
Creek. The bridge span is 90 feet long and 50-150 feet wide. Scientists
theorize that the bridge was formed when Cedar Creek was diverted into a
cave. Over time the roof of the cave collapsed, leaving the bridge as the
most stable portion of the natural tunnel through the cave.
You'll rarely find a
more impressive nature walk than the one along Cedar Creek. The steps down to
the creek follow the smaller Cascade Creek. For those who have trouble
walking there is a shuttle bus. Along your walk you will observe examples of
fossilized moss being formed. One noticeable outcropping is just to the left
of the first wooden bench along the trail.
The arbor vitae
along the trail are some of the oldest and largest specimens in the world.
The Monacan Indians found medicinal properties in the arbor vitae foliage.
The Monocans considered the bridge a gift from God, they prayed at the bridge
and used it as a thoroughfare. As you approach the bridge along Cedar Creek
you'll see how the rocks are inclined. This effect was created 200 million
years ago when the Appalachian Mountains were formed.
Across the creek on
the steep wall beneath the bridge are the initials George Washington carved
when he was surveying the area in 1750. He climbed up 23 feet to leave his
mark.
On the other side of
the bridge you'll discover picnic tables beside the creek. If you continue your
walk you'll see the saltpeter cave. Nitrates mined from the cave during the War
of 1812 and the Civil War were used to make gunpowder. The cave does not appear
to extend any farther than the cavity you'll observe when peering into the
opening. A short distance from the cave is the barely visible Lost River.
Far more interesting
is the 50-foot drop of Lace Falls just down the trail. This is the last point
of interest along the Natural Bridge walking trail. If you are staying through
the evening you should plan to attend the Drama of Creation. Twice a night
during the summer (once nightly during the winter) the 45-minute sound and light
show is presented. The musical program is technically a bit passe and some
purists might prefer listening to Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra or an
equally dramatic work on their personal cassette while watching the impressive
play of lights across the great chasm. The show goes on despite the weather, so
dress appropriately.
Since 1978 the Natural
Bridge caverns have been open to the public. First discovered in the 1880s,
these are well worth investigating. The caverns have numerous flowstone
cascades, deposits of calcite formed when water flows down the walls of a cave.
One example, a dome-shaped mass, is one of the largest of this type of deposit
to be found in the East. The caverns are also noted for their drapery-shaped
deposits.
The beauty above and
below make this excursion a double treat for nature lovers. Admission is
charged to all three attractions---Natural Bridge, caverns and a wax museum.
Children under six are admitted free. Natural Bridge is open 8:00 A.M. daily
until dark when the Drama of Creation begins.
Directions: From
I-95 in the Richmond area take I-64 west to Staunton and pick up I-81 south.
Continue past Lexington to Exit 180, Route 11. Follow the well-marked Route 11
to Natural Bridge.
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