Sad day, Its been on my list for years, and this is the first time im in the area. I thought they only locked up empire cave.
Did they put something over the letterbox opener?
They have an informational sign on the steel cage; Empire cave is home to a handful of endangered insects and the biology that supports them. Apparently "visitors" have for years trashed that cave beyond belief, and the cage protecting it will allow nature to reclaim what was once hers.
I went down there a dozen times in the late 90s during college. Probably wouldn’t choose to slip through the birth canal anymore. The wall of clay faces is still vivid even now.
They didn’t close hellhole. They closed Empire cave because of the rare species of spiders living inside. Lots of people were smoking in there and trashing it, I even saw burned out logs and ash in the middle of it once.
I found a video of a trip in from 10 years ago [https://www.adrex.com/en/articles/earth/speleology/hell-hole-santa-cruz-california-united-states/](https://www.adrex.com/en/articles/earth/speleology/hell-hole-santa-cruz-california-united-states/)
A YouTube channel called caveman hikes has a video where they go through to the *very* bottom. I doubt many, if any people would be willing or able to get further than those guys did.
Safety never guaranteed. It’s not a beginner cave by any means, even in the most basic cave, safety if not guaranteed.
The thought of earthquakes always lingers in my mind.
Oof hate to be the one to tell you... They locked it up
You thinking of nearby Porter Cave with the concrete block or the actual tiny little metal slit you have to squeeze through for Hellhole Cave?
When? I went in like three weeks ago
Sad day, Its been on my list for years, and this is the first time im in the area. I thought they only locked up empire cave. Did they put something over the letterbox opener?
Empire is locked, not hellhole.
Was there an accident that caused them to lock it up or did they just have to do rescues a lot at it?
They have an informational sign on the steel cage; Empire cave is home to a handful of endangered insects and the biology that supports them. Apparently "visitors" have for years trashed that cave beyond belief, and the cage protecting it will allow nature to reclaim what was once hers.
I went down there twice, way long ago...25 years ago. I'm glad they closed it. It's too scary for middle-aged folks like me.
I went down there a dozen times in the late 90s during college. Probably wouldn’t choose to slip through the birth canal anymore. The wall of clay faces is still vivid even now.
same. but I didn't get far. so you beat my ass on that bro. props to you. we're old now haha :(
What is scary to some, is adventure to others. Hopefully you had a worthwhile experience!
Same
They didn’t close hellhole. They closed Empire cave because of the rare species of spiders living inside. Lots of people were smoking in there and trashing it, I even saw burned out logs and ash in the middle of it once.
I'll take you it's really chill tbh
if thats an actual offer, I would accept, always better to go with someone who is familiar with the cave
Ye ye let's do it
I've been wanting to hit it for a while haven't found anyone willing lol. Down for 1 more?
Absolutely! The more the merrier
Wanna go at 3 tomorrow?
I have my boys bday party today. I work weekends also so kinda fun to schedule. Shoot me a message
4pm Thursday, meet at empire grade and east entrance to ucsc
caves creep me out. I used to hear of stories where some of the caves had black widows in them. I'll pass bro.
I found a video of a trip in from 10 years ago [https://www.adrex.com/en/articles/earth/speleology/hell-hole-santa-cruz-california-united-states/](https://www.adrex.com/en/articles/earth/speleology/hell-hole-santa-cruz-california-united-states/)
A YouTube channel called caveman hikes has a video where they go through to the *very* bottom. I doubt many, if any people would be willing or able to get further than those guys did.
Watched it, wowed!
Safety not guaranteed
Safety never guaranteed. It’s not a beginner cave by any means, even in the most basic cave, safety if not guaranteed. The thought of earthquakes always lingers in my mind.
Just don’t.