Boulder Cave Trail

[Ceg]

Ceg's Adventures -
Boulder Cave
Story & pictures by Clay Graham

On Saturday July 5th, 2010 we took a trip to see Boulder Cave near Cliffdell Washington.

Here are some pictures of our day.

Reading the rules.


The first view point.


Looking off.




Kids taking a break waiting for us.






Down the hill toward the cave.

[Ceg]

Looking back at the trail down.




Talking over the rules again with the kids.


Here goes nothing.






Looking back at the light.

[Ceg]

It was very dark in the middle. Lucky we had flashlights.

Here is coming out the other side of the cave.






Looking back.


Climbing back up.












This was well worth the walk.

This is a must see place if you are traveling over Chinook Pass in the summer.

Clayton E. Graham
Yakima/Kittitas Forest Watch Association
3250 Selah Loop Rd.
Selah, Washington 98942
ceg@ykfwa.org

[RiponredTJ]

That looks like a pretty neat place.
Good for letting the kids work off a little steam.

[jeepcache]

looks like a blast! how long of a hike was it?

[Ceg]

Originally Posted by jeepcache

looks like a blast! how long of a hike was it?

Here is a little info from a local web site: Boulder Cave - Pacific Western Big-Eared Bats - Chinook Pass - Washington
The Boulder Cave Trail is less than 2 miles long round trip and will take about an hour. It gains about 200 feet in elevation and can be slippery in places. The gravel trail runs along the edge of a deep ravine, climbing gradually through a forest of Douglas-fir and Ponderosa pine. Devil's Creek flows through the bottom of the ravine, framed by trees and several species of broad leafed shrubs. In autumn, the golden tones of the leaves splash new color across the landscape, contrasting sharply with the evergreen forest.

Approximately 400 feet from the cave, the trail narrows and descends to bring the visitor to the entrance. A flashlight is useful in the center portion of the cave. A good pair of walking shoes, layered clothing, and some water is also needed. A visit to the cave is a cool treat on a warm summer day.

In the canyon?s cool shadow, notice how the plants differ from those growing on the sunny ridge. As the cave engulfs you, let some of the other senses explore the darkness. Feel the moisture in the air. Listen to the creek. Lava that once flowed hot is now cold and hard to the touch. This is a unique cave. The Boulder Cave trail was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1935. With the voluntary help of a local stone mason, the trail was improved by the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) in 1987.
I have bad feet from the Army so I almost did not do the hike. I am glad a went. It was not a bad hike at all.

[RiponredTJ]

I love sweet relatively unknown places like that, and almost everywhere I've been has them. Often it takes some work to ferret them out.

I think that's what this site is all about. The nice stuff that's off the beaten track and you might not hear or know about if you where passing through a particular area.

Thanks for sharing that!