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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 2 of 4 Submit your own review 
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! 
Reviewed by Karen on 8/3/2006 This is a most unusal hike. It is actually more of a clamber than a hike. The distance isn't long but it will take much longer than you think. The rocks are all jumbled up and the footing varies with many of the steps you take being at unusual angles. Some of the rocks are wet and slippery which adds to the challenge. Part of the fun is picking your own way around or over the formations. Climbing out I had to go into four-claw drive. The road is is rugged and there is no rest area or trash can at the site.
Reviewed by ASJ on 8/3/2006 A really fun hike! My flashlight went out about 1/2 way so bring extra batteries or another. It was really fun climbing up and down the rocks. At the start it's the hardest part. Inside there are many cool rock formations! I didn't go to the end but I did explore the littler tunnel at the "y" in the road. WARNING: There is no path, just rocks that are sometimes wet. =P 
Reviewed by PyrtHkr on 6/21/2006 Have done this "out-of-ecosystem" experience hike a few X & I can tell its getting popular by the appearance of the random scent of urine during the hike through the lave tube. What's next? Beer cans?
Reviewed by Becky on 6/5/2006 Our party ranged in age from 5 to 65. Everybody had a GREAT time. No problems, quite easy for all of us. Each person carried TWO light sources with BRAND NEW batteries...very important since it is utter blackness down there. This is a MUST DO when in the high country!!
Reviewed by Todd on 12/20/2005 Great experience for All! My nineteen year old son from So. Cal requested we check this out, (I am the 45 year old Dad!) Took my two other boys with us ages 9 and 5. Looked a bit forboding from the entrance but we slipped quickly into the cave. Headlamps are a bonus. The cave was really interesting and relatively accessable, few spots where footing is questionable. Few spots where height became an issue for me the older guy as access was merely, I am guessing 3 1/2 feet. We all really had a good time. Conditions where dry this time of year but could see where this could be a challenge during wet months as the descent is quick and could be dangerous during wet months. Best to choose your steps carefully and enjoy the rest!
Reviewed by Jimmy on 10/11/2005 A great hike! The entrance is the toughest part, going down all the boulders and debris - there are wobbly rocks, and lots of slippery surfaces. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Advisable to wear well-fitted shoes with gripping soles, gloves to help with the cold and slippery surfaces, a headlamp PLUS flashlight, and extra batteries. We met several people who were totally in the dark because their batteries had run out; they had to wait for others to share their light in order to get out. Wear KNEE PADS if you're tall and want to experience the passage that goes around the right hand side of the "Y" in the tube... there is a very low (approx 3')crawl space. A very unusual experience, the arched ceiling is fantastic to see! Go, DO IT
Reviewed by Nik C. on 9/17/2005 Went in again tonight! this one is too much fun! took a headlamp this time and ventured into the small crevis at the end of the cave/tube. i was barley able to squeez my shoulders through! not for the clostrofobic! very tight and you can only go about 15-20 feet. but truely an amazing hike! at the "y" the right hand side has approx. a 3.5' ceiling. dont go down on the right if you have a bad back. Please, plan your bathroom trips! DONT GO TO THE BATHROOM IN THE LAVA TUBE! if your in flagstaff, this is a must do! 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||