I'm not quite sure how far up the canyon 420 Hollow is, you just have to go with some one who knows. The cave will be on the left side of the canyon pretty high up on a cliff face, easily visible from the road. To get to the cave you need to cross the river, and go downstream through the trees. Also the trail isnt very visible so you still need someone that knows where they are going. When you get through the trees there is a trail between two steep hill sides. Follow this trail untill it turns right up the hillside, if it is muddy or snowy at all I would not recomend this hike for it is very steep and slippery. When you get to the top of the hill the trail turns left along the cliffside still going uphill. The trail splits about 20 yards after the turn, go right to get to the cave. This part of the trail is very narrow so be careful.
If you go to this cave be sure to bring a marker, because the cave is almost completely covered in signatures. I have my name signed on the right side of the cave. Also there is a poem in the cave, it doesnt say who wrote it though. The poem goes like this; "You hiked up this hill for the burning need, to sit in this hole and smoke some ****. If you brought some water take a swallow, relax and enjoy 420 Hollow."
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Devils Bathtub
Devil’s Bathtub is a popular hike, and to get there turn off the road at Cleopatra and park near the bridge. Head over the bridge where you can see Sunshine Creek join into Spearfish Creek. There are no trail markers, but walk toward thr creek and the trail is easy to spot. The land near the parking area is private property, but people who own it will let you pass over untill you are on public land.
The trail up crosses the stream several times, so if your not experienced, prepare to get wet. The trail is also pretty flat and no steep inclines. A cool site on the way up is the "wedding tree", this is the result of a pine and birtch tree growing together.
The bathtub is made because of erosion. The waters of Sunshine Creek run down a smooth rock channel into a pool about ten feet in wide and about four feet deep. The pool used to be deep enough that an adult could jump off the rocks and sink 10 or 15 feet down, but sediments have been filling in the bottom. The eroded rock flowing into the bathtub once was the perfect waterslide, But not that long ago a boulder mysteriously appeared at the bottom, effectively blocking the landing area. We don't know if the boulder showed up naturally, but some people say that it was rolled there on purpose.
I went to Devils Bathtub this weekend and was disapointed with all the trash around. Being so popular is the only negative part about this place, because it seems like half the people don't pack out what the pack in. Spring time usually brings enough water to wash out the bottles, wrappers, and sometimes articles of clothing.
I also like this place in the winter more than summer. The snow covers the trash, but also the trail, so be careful. If you come here in the winter be sure to wear snow shoes, the snow will sometimes give out above the water.
The trail up crosses the stream several times, so if your not experienced, prepare to get wet. The trail is also pretty flat and no steep inclines. A cool site on the way up is the "wedding tree", this is the result of a pine and birtch tree growing together.
The bathtub is made because of erosion. The waters of Sunshine Creek run down a smooth rock channel into a pool about ten feet in wide and about four feet deep. The pool used to be deep enough that an adult could jump off the rocks and sink 10 or 15 feet down, but sediments have been filling in the bottom. The eroded rock flowing into the bathtub once was the perfect waterslide, But not that long ago a boulder mysteriously appeared at the bottom, effectively blocking the landing area. We don't know if the boulder showed up naturally, but some people say that it was rolled there on purpose.
I went to Devils Bathtub this weekend and was disapointed with all the trash around. Being so popular is the only negative part about this place, because it seems like half the people don't pack out what the pack in. Spring time usually brings enough water to wash out the bottles, wrappers, and sometimes articles of clothing.
I also like this place in the winter more than summer. The snow covers the trash, but also the trail, so be careful. If you come here in the winter be sure to wear snow shoes, the snow will sometimes give out above the water.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Wild Cat Cavern (Community Caves)
One of the lesser known hikes, it is also one of the closest to the entrance of the Canyon. About two and a half miles in, or just past mile marker 13 is a parking area. Look across the road the deepest curve in the creek, this is the way to go. After getting across the water (if it is spring time), head to the draw between the two cliff like hills. Finding the trail can be tricky, because it is somewhat hidden by trees and bushes. The trail is very traveled and takes about 20 minutes to hike. Near the top the trail gets pretty rocky and kind of slick.
The caves are an amazing sight. A waterfall pours down the mouth of the largest cavern, inside of which are smaller, individual caves. A hike up to the top of the cavern presents hikers with a view of another smaller waterfall, but the hike itself can be hard with slippery footing and some climbing involved.
In the winter time this hike can be a lot harder, but more than likely worth it because the whole cavern opening is covered in ice. This place is also popular for ice climbing when it gets really cold in the canyon, cold enought for the pillars of ice to form. Also on the inside of the cave there is a climbing routes that starts in the back and wraps around to the top of the rock. This can only be done in the summer because ice will block the top of the route in winter.
The caves are an amazing sight. A waterfall pours down the mouth of the largest cavern, inside of which are smaller, individual caves. A hike up to the top of the cavern presents hikers with a view of another smaller waterfall, but the hike itself can be hard with slippery footing and some climbing involved.
In the winter time this hike can be a lot harder, but more than likely worth it because the whole cavern opening is covered in ice. This place is also popular for ice climbing when it gets really cold in the canyon, cold enought for the pillars of ice to form. Also on the inside of the cave there is a climbing routes that starts in the back and wraps around to the top of the rock. This can only be done in the summer because ice will block the top of the route in winter.
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