Introduction:
What? :
Explore the
underground lava tube.
This easy
walking short trail into lava tube is fun activity for the howl family if you
are driving near Old Station (the junction of highway 44 with highway 89).
Where? :
Located north
of Old Station. The road entrance from highway 89 is located 1000 ft north of the
junction with highway 44. A short drive will take you to the parking lot.
Google Map Link
When? :
Subway Cave is
open from about late April each year after the snow melt to October.
Due note 1: Bring a
flashlight, even a cellphone light can help you find the way in this short cave.
Due note 2: The temperature
inside the cave remains a cool 46 degrees F.
Due note 3: Pets are not
allowed in the cave.
Due note 4: Restrooms and drinking
water are available near the parking lot.
Due note 5: The cave is
one long tunnel so you can’t get yourself lost.
My thoughts:
I drove by near
this cave many times but never walk in. This is nice lava tube not as impressive
as the lava tubes that are in Lava Beds National Monument, but it is fun to
have a short stop on your way and visit this place.
How the cave was formed:
Less than
20,000 years ago large lava flow covered 16 miles of Hat Creek Valley. While
the top crust cooled and hardened, rivers of hot lava continued to flow in the
tubes. Eventually, the lava drained away, leaving empty tube-like caves. The
entrance to the cave was formed by a collapse of the cave’s roof.
The visit:
The self-guided
trail is approximately 1/2 mile long.
From the
parking lot there is a very short trail leading to the cave entrance.
Stairs leading
down into the open of the cave.
Once you enter
the cave and start to progress inward it get completely dark, so don't forget
to bring a flashlight.
After short
walk inside the cave and few bends you will see the light from the exit where another
set of stirs leading out.
The cave itself
is big, you do not need to crawl or bend and the floor, unlike other lava
caves, is relatively flat.
This is a very
short walk from one side of the cave to the other side.
You can walk
back to the parking lot or as we did walk back into the cave and went back on
the same way we walked in.
This is short
fun walk, a rest on your trip where kids and adult will enjoy at.
www:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lassen/recarea/?recid=11435
Map:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_034444.pdf
Additional Pictures:
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