Revision as of 02:43, 29 October 2014

Column and chamber, Oregon Caves (bobcat)

Stalactites, Oregon Caves (bobcat)

Angel Falls, Oregon Caves (bobcat)

Narrow flowstone passageway, Oregon Caves (bobcat)

• Start point: Oregon Caves Trailhead
• Ending Point: Oregon Caves Exit
• Trail Log:
• Hike Type: Loop
• Distance: 1.2 miles
• Elevation gain: 300 feet
• High Point: 4,260 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Seasons: Spring into fall
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: Yes

Hike Description

The Oregon Caves National Monument is one of the oldest in the system, established in 1909. The cave itself was discovered by Elijah Davidson in 1874. These underground passageways, really just one cave system, were formed in marble, rather than limestone or dolomite, making them unusual in North America. Groundwater percolated through cracks in the marble over the past half million years or so and gradually hollowed out the caverns by dissolving the native calcite. Unlike the numerous lava tube caves around Mount Saint Helens, Mount Adams and in central Oregon, these marble caves exhibit many spectacular cave features, such as stalagmites and stalactites, columns, “curtains”, pools, pearls, popcorn, helictites, flowstone, and cave “bacon”. Many animal fossils have been found in the caves, including the bones of a jaguar.

General cave tours run from late March to the beginning of November. Tickets are sold at the visitor center, first-come first-served. Children must be taller than 3 ½ feet. At the height of the summer tourist season, when tours go every half-hour, you may have to wait up to two hours to get on a tour. Off-trail tours and candlelight tours run on a more limited basis. Warm clothing and good walking shoes are essential! There are some narrow passageways and more than 500 stairs. Tours last about 90 minutes.

The tour begins in the first room of the cave, which is accessible by wheelchair. Then you will be treated to a smorgasbord of the formations listed above in sections labeled Watson’s Grotto, the Throne Room, Miller’s Chapel, and the Ghost Room. The Oregon Caves Exit is an artificial passageway that connects to the Cliff Nature Trail, whence you will descend to the chateau and visitor center.

Fees, Regulations, etc.

• No entrance fee to the National Monument
• Cave tours: Adults $8.50, Juniors $6.00
• Tours given late March to early November; every half-hour in summer
• Children must be taller than 3 1/2 feet
• Tours last 90 minutes; stairs and narrow passageways involved
• Wear cold weather clothing
• Dogs not allowed in cave

Maps

• Hazard assessment - Oregon Caves (esri)

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Oregon Caves Loop Hike

• Oregon Caves NM / Southwest Oregon hikes

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Oregon Caves Loop Hike

Guidebooks that cover this destination

• 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon by William L. Sullivan
• Oregon Favorites: Trails and Tales by William L. Sullivan
• Trails of Crater Lake National Park & Oregon Caves National Monument by William L. Sullivan
• Hiking Oregon’s History by William L. Sullivan
• Trips & Trails: Oregon by William L. Sullivan
• Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Megan McMorris
• Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon by Bonnie Henderson
• Oregon Campgrounds Hiking Guide by Rhonda & George Ostertag
• Hiking Oregon’s Geology by Ellen Morris Bishop

More Links

• Oregon Caves National Monument (National Park Service)
• Oregon Caves National Monument (Wikipedia)
• "GIS Plays Growing Role in Monitoring and Limiting the Impact of Visitors to Oregon Caves" (esri)

Page Contributors

• bobcat (creator)