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Where: Lava Beds National Monument, Modoc County (North Eastern California)
When: Winter Saturdays (Dec-Mar)
Difficulty: Moderate
Equipment: Helmets, Headlamps, gloves, warm layered clothing, and sturdy shoes are a must.
A short drive from Mt Shasta, Lava Beds National Monument is a vast landscape rich in history, teeming geological features and yearning to be explored. With over 600 known caves, Lava Beds is also one of Northern California's premier caving areas. If you have the opportunity to escape the clutches of everyday winter life, go spelunking on the guided Crystal Ice Cave Tour.
The tours run Saturdays from December through March. Reservations are required as the maximum group size is limited to 6 people. It is recommended that you make reservations well in advance. The tour starts at one at the Lava Beds Visitor Center where you get to meet the guide and fellow cavers. After introductions, you're off in a carpool to an undisclosed location. In order to preserve the delicate cave ecosystem, the caves location is kept quiet. The tour lasts about 3 to 3.5 hours and takes you on a ladder descent, a controlled slide down an ice slope and crawling through holes and across rocky floors. Throughout the tour you are treated to beautiful ice formations reminiscent of the stalactites and stalagmites common in limestone caves. There is also some amazing geological features as well so don't be shy to do a lot of looking around.
Pictures thanks to
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