Post by L Roebuck on Aug 21, 2007 13:17:26 GMT -5
On Foot: Small cave still keeps secrets of the past
LAURIE KAVENAUGH Chicoer.com
LAVA BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT -- Had it not been for a quick reference to Fern Cave in an old hiking book, we would have missed our chance to visit this still-used cave within the monument.
Reservations for the ranger-led tour are required weeks in advance; only six people may go at a time and must be over the age of 12. Tours are given only on Saturdays, May through October.
Thomas and I had met all the criteria well in advance and received notice from the visitor center that we were to meet a park ranger at Hospital Rock at 2 p.m. Hospital Rock is a stop along the north loop of the main park road that was a place of conflict during the Modoc Indian Wars. Today, the rock outcrop that overlooks Tule Lake has a sign telling of the death of a U.S. Army officer there at the hands of the Modocs.
We were required to ride to the cave with the ranger, driving on a dirt path for several miles. Once beyond a locked gate, the ranger parked behind some rocks and brush, partially obscuring the van. We walked about 50 feet to a double-locked grate and peered down into the dark hole.
Full Article
LAURIE KAVENAUGH Chicoer.com
LAVA BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT -- Had it not been for a quick reference to Fern Cave in an old hiking book, we would have missed our chance to visit this still-used cave within the monument.
Reservations for the ranger-led tour are required weeks in advance; only six people may go at a time and must be over the age of 12. Tours are given only on Saturdays, May through October.
Thomas and I had met all the criteria well in advance and received notice from the visitor center that we were to meet a park ranger at Hospital Rock at 2 p.m. Hospital Rock is a stop along the north loop of the main park road that was a place of conflict during the Modoc Indian Wars. Today, the rock outcrop that overlooks Tule Lake has a sign telling of the death of a U.S. Army officer there at the hands of the Modocs.
We were required to ride to the cave with the ranger, driving on a dirt path for several miles. Once beyond a locked gate, the ranger parked behind some rocks and brush, partially obscuring the van. We walked about 50 feet to a double-locked grate and peered down into the dark hole.
Full Article
