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Cave Photos »
A gallery of cave photos.
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caves and caving
A gate installed to
protect a rare bat colony. |
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Cave Closures
Lava Ice Caves
Merrill and Skull Ice Caves have been closed temporarily in order to
prevent access to the ice floors in both caves. The upper levels of
Skull are still open for exploration but access to the ice floor at the
bottom has been closed. This will give the ice floors a chance to
recover from years of foot traffic that tracked in dirt and other
debris. Resource management staff removed 1800lbs. of rock and 100lbs.
of dirt this past summer from the ice floor in Skull Cave, allowing
cleaner water to collect in the ice pools. These pools are an important
source of water for the local wildlife.
In November 1997, a strange hole appeared in Merrill Cave’s largest ice
floor. When researchers entered the hole to investigate, they found a
breeze was coming from somewhere beneath the cave floor, wearing away
the ice and leaving a 15-foot wide chamber under the ice pool’s surface.
Since this discovery, the opening has widened and considerable debris
has accumulated on the surface. Whether this represents natural rockfall
or attempts by visitors to enlarge the hole is not known.
These cave closures are considered necessary for the rehabilitation of
the ice floors. By allowing the caves to heal themselves, we will learn
more about their natural processes and be more able to properly care for
these special places in the future. Your understanding is appreciated.
Bat Roosts
During the summer, a several caves closed due to the presence of
maternal colonies of Townsend's Big-Eared bats. These colonies of female
bats come to our caves to give birth and raise their young. A very rare
bat, they are extremely sensitive to human disturbance. Just one
careless visitor walking past these bats is enough convince them that
"their cover is blown," and they will leave the cave forever, completely
abandoning their young to die.
Please respect these cave closures, as noted by signs at cave entrances.
If you encounter a group of bats, quickly and quietly leave the area,
and let rangers know where you saw them.
For more information about our bats and other wildlife, please visit our
bats webpage.
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