"THE" cave of the Cave Creek Trail

[jaybird]

I finally found it today.  Not because I was looking, but because I was hiking with someone who took me straight to it.  Very interesting, and more of a sinkhole actually.  Several caves in the bottom of the sinkhole with warm air coming out of them (compared to the 38 degree air temperature).  Within 100 yards of the trail, but very hidden.  Anyone else seen it, or been down in the caves?

[dogwood]

No, but i've always wondered where it was.  Some boys and i followed the creek up the mountain several hundred yards, and found nothing but springs.  Is it above or below the trail?

[Joshua Szulecki]

No, but I always wondered, too.

[weathermansam]

wouldn't happen to be down that old roadbed where the trail turns sharply right, would it?

[DavidR]

I'm not clear on what location you guys are referring to. I'd be interested to know. I know of one location that is called "Many Sinks Cave" that sounds similar to what you are describing. I have only looked into the caves as I wasn't prepared to get down and dirty.

[dayhiker]

I'm not clear on what location you guys are referring to. I'd be interested to know. I know of one location that is called "Many Sinks Cave" that sounds similar to what you are describing. I have only looked into the caves as I wasn't prepared to get down and dirty.

It parallels the Pinhoti in the vicinity of Cheaha SP.  You can make a dang nice 8 mile or 13 mile loop out of it.

[jaybird]

Surprising to me, it's actually downhill from the trail about 1/4 mile past the intersection with Cave Creek itself (if you're heading away from the Cheaha Trailhead).  There are 2 large pines across the trail that you must bend down to pass under.  Headed away from the Cheaha Trailhead, you'll want to drop downhill about 150 feet from the trail about 150 feet before these downed pines.  There is a large rock about waist high that is shaped like an arrowhead sticking out of the ground right by the trail where you need to head off trail.  You can't see the sinkhole from the trail, as it is surrounded and masked by mountain laurel.  Once you get closer, you are able to drop down into the hole a good 30-40 feet.  There are multiple cave entrances in the bottom of the sinkhole that you can't see the bottoms of.  Azure blue water could be seen in the bottom of one of the cave entrances, but my guide told me that in other seasons the caves are dry.  They appear to go into the mountain for hundreds of feet both up and down.

[SmokeDiver]

Did you get any pictures?

[jaybird]

I did not, but I'm in the area frequently -- so I'll snap some next time.

[globetruck]

I found the main sinkhole entrance - very interesting area, and I was happy to find it free of trash and spray paint.  Are there any other openings located further down the hill?

[Firedog]

I've never been any further down the hill than there. could be?

[Firedog]

Pic 1: Looking back into the deepest passageway. Would be headinbg south parralell to the trail.
Pic 2: Just insid ethe upper entrance looking back south.
Pic 3: One of the spaces in the upper section.
Pic 4: Lower entrance