Caves Spring (2009)

hatchcanyon

Member
Joined
May 29, 2013
Messages
136
The northern boundary of the Dome Plateau is marked by a cliff line. Not very high but notable. Above and to the North are The Highlands.

This cliff line has some seepages on a horizon separating different layers of stone. The most important one can be found North of Squaw Park. A place named Caves Spring is marked on the USGS Topomaps.

We came from Owl Draw Mining Camp, using the trail that goes into a southwestern direction. Drive right at 12S 0641230 4299288. Don't miss the trail to the left after 3/4 Mile at 12S 0640149 4299251 and later straight on at 12S 0640236 4298699. You are now on Squaw Park an the trail will lead automativcally to Caves Spring. It is located in the cliff line to your right.

_DSC2456_12.jpg

Squaw Park Cliffs

_DSC2459_12.jpg

Seems to be windblown deposits

At 4 pm there is shade below the cliff line - nice for people but not alway nice for taking pictures. The range of contrast is enormous.

The furthest cave to the east is not seen at first. Only tracks over a sandy hill - like a dune - reveals that there must be something interesting.

_DSC2463_12.jpg

The cave behind the hill

The tree seems to be an indication for moisture in the ground.

_DSC2465_12.jpg

Inside the cave

_DSC2464_12.jpg

Bird exercise

Not far away a new startup cave can be seen. As far as we know the feature has a name -

PICT3209_12.jpg

"Shivas Shrine" - appropriate named.

To the south one can see over a distance - the LaSal Mountains and Top of the World. To the east Uncomphagre Uplift.

Only a short distance to the west is the next cave. It must have (had?) much more water at times. A water trough is installed but we found it dry.

_DSC2492_12.jpg

A watering hole for aminals, but dry at the time we visited the place

Caves Spring is next. Seems to be the largest cave. Three closely spaced openings mark this cave. The one on the right side is not more than a shallow alcove, the one in the middle can be called a baby cave, the left one is the real thing.

The area in Front of the cave ist blocked by a fence with a passage for people only. Guess this was done to restrict vandalism a bit?

_DSC2466_12.jpg

Three openings

To enter the cave it is necessary to climb a sand hill. On top it divides in a short right branch and a much longer left one.

PICT3227_12.jpg

Sand Hill

_DSC2469_12.jpg

Cave entrance

PICT3220_12.jpg

Looking back for a nice view

The left branch trends upwards too but much shallower. After a crest you enter a slightly deeper lying chamber - the end. There it is cool an moist. One or two water puddles will be there. It's good to have a flashlight even if it is not pitch dark. It prevents from stumbling over rocks lying there.

PICT3219_12.jpg

Spelunking

_DSC2479_12.jpg

Water and rocks at the end.

It is silent there but occasionally there are vague sounds. Dripping! At first I didn't see anything. At least it did not drip from the ceiling. Then I remarked these dark patterns on the walls. These are the spots where the dripping is coming from. Drops are running down the wall.

_DSC2485_12.jpg

The dark cover seem to be deposited minerals

_DSC2486_12.jpg

Mineral crust

PICT3224_12.jpg

On the ceiling: some very small stalactites.

After some minutes one starts to freeze a bit craving for the warmth (heat) outside. It is simply a damp room.

_DSC2483_12.jpg

You always can see where the entrance is

Lady didn't follow me into the cave. She waits in the shadow of the entrance.

_DSC2471_12.jpg

Lady did not want to spelunker

_DSC2473_12.jpg

Back to the light

Not far away from the entrance we found this feature:

PICT3230_12.jpg

My wife named it "Creeping Arch"
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
NorthwestWanderer Big Four Ice Caves Hiking & Camping 1
S Mendenhall Glacier Ice Caves with Grandma Hiking & Camping 10
Noun Sequitur Southeastern New Mexico - Aliens, Caves, Sand, etc. Everything Else 0
Otis Lake Superior Ice Caves Winter Sports 6
steve Mines, Caves, and Slot Canyons... Off Road 0
FourisTheNewOne Crystal Caves Vandalized General Discussion 2
Bob A Spring Pick Me Up General Discussion 3
westy Colorado Plateau spring Hiking & Camping 0
Bob Close to Spring day ...... General Discussion 3
SteveR Big Spring-Elephant Canyon dayhike. With free bonus vacation pix! Hiking & Camping 13
Bob Beartooth changes from Spring flooding General Discussion 2
XID_AZ Kanab Creek Wilderness - Sowats Canyon - Mountain Sheep Spring Trip Planning 6
SteveR A Tale Of Two Passes- A Spring Ski Tour in Alberta Winter Sports 4
regehr Lower Horseshoe Canyon and Big Spring Trip Planning 7
XID_AZ Poison Spring Canyon / Black Jump Fall 2021 Trip Planning 2
NorthwestWanderer 4 Days Backpacking Capitol Reef : Spring Canyon & Various side canyons Backpacking 5
kwc Adirondack Spring Hiking Continued Hiking & Camping 3
kwc Adirondack Spring Hike #? Hiking & Camping 1
danger02ward 2020 Spring Beatout traverse Winter Sports 18
J Mount Nutt Wilderness Cave Spring Area dayhike Nov 26, 2019 Hiking & Camping 0
montanaclimber advice Grand Canyon backpacking Spring 2020 Trip Planning 16
wsp_scott Dolly Sods spring Backpacking 9
fossana CO Plateau backpacking suggestions for spring run-off season Trip Planning 14
canadug Spring Break in the Mojave Desert Hiking & Camping 4
I Zion-South Utah Spring Break - March 9th-March 14th Trip Planning 15
WasatchWill Spring Break Ideas for Vernal/Dino Quarry NM Trip Planning 3
S Spring Canyon, Capitol Reef-vehicle shuttle Sun, Mar 24. Meet Up (Members Only) 0
Jazzy Joe Looking for Escalante Area Short Backpacking Suggestions Early Spring Trip Planning 21
b.stark CO/UT Spring 2018 - A trip to get away Backpacking 10
fossana Spring Canyon/Sulphur Canyon loop (Capitol Reef) Hiking & Camping 24
Dave Hells Half and Honaker, Spring 2018 On The Water 9
Perry Spring Day Hike up Boulder Creek Hiking & Camping 2
Outdoors24 Overnight in Lower Spring Canyon Backpacking 5
Devin Ashby Nate’s Canyon/ Spring Canyon San Rafael Swell Trip Planning 2
Perry Leona Spring Trail to UHT - A New Personal Best Day Hike Hiking & Camping 2
Eugene Paria Canyon from White House to Big Spring Backpacking 3
kimbur96 Davis Meadows for a chilly spring overnighter, Duncan's first ! Backpacking 4
Kyle P Spring Hiking Pants Gear 2
TrektheWorld Spring Break in Moab Hiking & Camping 0
D Invite Dirty Devil - Burr to Poison Spring Packraft March 12-13 Meet Up (Members Only) 0
M Early Spring Backpacking in Utah? Trip Planning 2
Jackson Lower Spring Canyon in Winter Backpacking 14
Parma Druid Arch Trail Spring General Discussion 2
Kyle P Death Hollow In the Spring Trip Planning 22
Eugene Spring 2016 3 day backpack suggestions Trip Planning 6
Julia Spring Break Backpacking Trip Planning 1
Dave B. Spring Backpacking Trip Trip Planning 6
Mike K Red Baldy Spring Summit Hiking & Camping 10
Scott Chandler Spring at Toroweap Hiking & Camping 11
hatchcanyon Poison Spring Canyon (1998) Off Road 0

Similar threads

Back
Top