Devil’s Bathtub Beginner Backpacking

OVERVIEW

HELLO ALL tik tok users, “Demon CopperHead” enjoyers, and foxfield avoiders. Join me and Ella on a backpacking/swimming trip to THE DEVIL’S BATHTUB. Devil’s Bathtub is a deep water hole in Scott County Virginia, right near the Tennessee border. Devil’s bathtub has crystal clear, aquamarine colored water, created by algae on the bottom. It is said that the water is “cold enough to squelch the fires of hell”.

Devil’s Bathtub has been a place I have seen on tik tok for yearsssss….and after reading about it in Demon Copperhead…I HAVE TO GO. So join Ella and I for an epic weekend of chill backpacking, lounging and swimming.

We will be hiking Devil’s Fork Loop trailhead, a 7.8 mile trail. We will complete this counter clockwise so we do 6 miles day 1 and ~2 miles on the second day to hit the bathtub towards the end! The hike has LOTS of stream crossings so bring shoes you’re comfortable getting wet! See all trails link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/devils-fork-and-devils-bathtub-loop-trail

Timeline
Friday:
– 7:45 – Meet at Echols dorm, drive 4.5 hours to Devil’s Bathtub Trailhead
– 2:30 – 6 pm – hike 6 miles to camp
– 6 pm – set up camp and cook communal dinner
Saturday:
– Hike 2 miles
– Swim at devils bathtub and lounge all day!
– Aim to leave for Charlottesville no later than 4pm.
– Drive 4.5 hours home – eta 9-10pm.
**these times are tentative and only a best estimate** If anyone wants to come but needs to get back slightly earlier etc, PLEASE REACH OUT we want you here!

To bring:
– Backpacking backpack
– Sleeping bag
– Sleeping pad
– 3-4 liters water
– Swimsuit and towel!
– Hiking shoes and camp (swimming) shoes
– Food: two lunches, 1 breakfast (2 if you want to eat in the car on the drive there), plenty of snacks
– Raincoat and trash bag for waterproofing
– bowl/utensils
– toiletries/personal medications
– Toilet paper
– Layers
– Headlamp
– Tent (we can help organize so people can share!)
– Book/journal

We bring:
– Camp stove/cooking supplies
– Water filter
– Trowel
– Bear bag materials
– First aid kit

***DRIVERS NEEDED*** we need another driver!! ***