AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
Back to Blog
Lone hill onyx cave1/6/2024 ![]() ![]() We decided to give it a shot and see if we could make our way out anyway.Īs we started out down the stream the current was much stronger and the wind was rushing in through the passage much more than it was when we entered. For a moment there was concern we would have to spend the night in the cave until the water level went down. Upon checking the water level it was noted that the water was now above the red line by a few inches meaning the water had risen just under 12 inches. We began to load our canoes back into the water for our paddle out when Paul noticed the water gauge, that was stuck in the mud when we entered, was now floating. I think he was trying to tell us it was time for us to leave. While we sat on the mud bank, there was a large Brown bat on the wall making quite a bit of noise and fluttering his wings. We made it back to the canoes where we sat with lights out for a few minutes to rest and take a few photos. This time while passing through the water it seemed a bit higher than it was during our walk in, though nobody realized just how much higher. Just past this room were chirt bridges that we did not get to see this time due to time and exhuastion of a few of the group members.Īfter enjoying this room for a nice relaxing rest, we started our way back to the canoes. Water lightly fell from the top of the dome in two spots adding to the intensity of the room. We hiked the cave to a very large dome that was just amazing, which is much further back in the cave than the normal tour would take you. At one point we thought they may have been albinos, but upon closer inspection, noticed areas of melanin on the sides that verified they were not albinos, just very light in color. They Eastern Pippistrels seemed to be extremely light in color. This cave is home to the federally endangered Gray bat as well, though I don't recall seeing any of them. They did exist, but were isolated throughout the cave and you had to work to find and appreciate them.Īlong the way we found a marbled salamander, cave salamander, pickerel frogs, and several bats including Indiana bats, Small Brown bats, Large Brown bats, and Eastern Pippistrels. The cave was not overly abundant with speleothems. Some of the areas along the stream were steep, wet, slippery mud banks that were a bit of a challenge to get through without slipping into the stream which was as deep as 60 feet in some areas (possibly deeper). ![]() We started our tour on foot passing through the icy cold stream several times ranging from ankle deep water to chest high water (neck high for some). The level at this time was a few inches below the red line. When we reached the area where we beach the canoes and start out on foot there was a water gauge that measured the water level with a red line to indicate when the water level was too high to enter or exit. This was a fairly tight squeeze going into the cave with the possible hazard of swamping the canoe. We then boarded our canoes and started down the quarter mile stretch of water passage where we had to lay flat in the canoe several times, to pass through spots where the ceiling was low, and pass using our hands on the ceiling to maneuver through. We began our adventure by carrying a 65 lb canoe one quarter mile uphill, over a boardwalk, then down a set of stairs to the cave entrance where we maneuvered the canoes through a tiny entrance into the water. They also provided the canoes and life jackets. The park provided a small emergency pack including trash bags, a lighter, and a candle, for those of us that needed them. The day started out at the park office at 12:00 where our trip leader, Paul Lowry, began with an orientation on a brief history of the cave and where we will be going on this trip. Our visit to Devils Icebox was one that'll be remembered for years to come. Secondary - Barry - From Rock Bridge State Park Primary - Paul Lowry - Columbia Alpine Shop ![]()
0 Comments
Read More
Leave a Reply. |