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 Reporter |
Summary: The elevation profile and .tpo file for this hike only cover the short walk from the parking area to the lava tube entrance. *Important for your safety* This hike will take you 3/4 (1.5 mi round trip) of a mile underground. Take 2 sources of light per person, one for backup in case the other fails. The cave floor is very rocky and uneven, sturdy shoes/boots are a good idea and the temperatures of the cave range between 35 and 45 degrees summer and winter so dress appropriatly. This very unusual hike will take you down a 700,000 year old lava tube discovered by lumbermen around 1915. Trailhead: From Flagstaff, go northwest on US 180 to mile marker 230 (9 miles). Turn left (W) on FR 245 and follow it 3.6 miles to its intersection with FR 171. Turn left (S) on FR 171 and go 1.0 miles to FR 171B. Follow this .25 miles until its end. The cave entrance is 300 yards east of the end of the road. Look for a large circle of rocks that mark the cave entrance. (Lat:35.34244 Lon:-111.835) Trail Guides for Lava River Cave: Flagstaff Hikes by Richard and Sherry Mangum (Hexagon Press) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: US Forest Service Coconino District Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Dennis Lightfoot, who has posted 3 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 3 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by BIT on 4/17/2009 They came from the darkness. We all thought it would be a safe hike. Drums sounding deep within the earth. We all tried to get out. We formed a perimeter. The drums became louder. They were coming!!!
Reviewed by FJ on 6/30/2008 Was an amazing adventure. Be sure to take flashlights-total darkness. Was very cold but an exciting and different thing to do. Would highly recommend it to anyone. Not an adventurous person but we had so much fun. Take a camera and video record the darkness. 
Reviewed by Viewer on 9/27/2007 So much fun!! Went on a hot summer day, and enjoyed the coolness of the cave. Definately have a back-up light source.
Reviewed by Melanie on 8/27/2007 This is a great hike for all ages! I wanted to take my class of 4-6th graders but wasn't sure how difficuly a hike it was, so I went ahead of time with my 4-year-old son (who is not an especially atheletic kid). We both did great and went all the way to the back of the cave and out with no problem. My class loved it, too!
Reviewed by Kimber on 8/27/2007 I can't emphasize enough: BE PREPARED! My husband and I have hiked several other tubes, but nothing like this one. Getting in is extremely difficult, and the footing inside is bad. Wear good boots! Bring as many lights as you can carry! We went in at night with two brand-new flashlights, and both failed before we got out. We had to climb out on hands and knees with Bic lighters, and were lucky neither of us were seriously injured. Call us crazy, but we still plan to go back.
Reviewed by Patrick on 12/29/2006 The trail is about 3/4 mile. 200-300 feet down a rocky slope and then it levels off gradually till you're on level ground. Complete darkness and silence when it isn't busy. After the rocky slope there will be no wet ground. The air inside is 32-40 degrees F all year round so bring a jacket. I highly advise closed-toed shoes. If you have asthma bring your inhaler as the climb out can be a tough one when you can't breath, but not so bad otherwise. Have asprin back at the car because someone will likely hit their head on low hanging rocks. Bring water with you and use the restroom beforehand (there is nowhere to go inside). You can't really get lost, it is only out and back. Can't stress enough to bring extra light sources. Very fun hik 
Reviewed by J on 9/16/2006 I didnt know what exactly what I was getting into when I decided to do this! I actually did the hike in flip flops and fared quite well! I lost my shoe 2x! No bumps or bruises! It was interesting and a fun experience especially after being stuck in a ditch on the way to get there! Know what your getting into!
Reviewed by Willy T on 9/6/2006 Lava River Cave is a great hike!! Great place to have a Boyscout or Girlscout Outing!!! I loved as a kid when I went with the Boyscouts and I still love to hike the Cave!!! 4 STARS! Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Arizona Hiking, Arizona Trails, Arizona Hikes, Coconino County Hiking, Coconino County Trails, Coconino County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||