The DC Grotto and the Gangster Mappers will be resurveying the Snedegar Cave
section of the 45.5 mile long Friars Hole Cave System.
The original map, done in 1980, was at 100 feet/inch and lacked a lot of detail.
The new survey will produce a large, more detailed map of the cave.
The cartographer will be Bob Gulden.
Skills and Training:
Novice surveyors are welcome.
Training and equipment will be provided.
If you are interested in learning the arcane art of cave surveying this project is the one for you.
Survey Schedule:
There will probably be three or four Project trips each year.
The access road to the cave is closed in the winter (to avoid damaging the road) so there won't be winter trips.
The next 2010 survey trip is scheduled for the August 20-22 weekend.
Read the various logistical details below, and for more information: Contact
Bob Gulden at caverbob@aol.com.
Cave Overview:
Snedegar's is a mostly horizontal maze that is generally dry and relatively friendly.
The current map has 4.5 miles of passage. Passage size varies from very large to crawlways.
The furthest point in the cave is only 15-20 minutes from the entrance.
The cave has been fully explored, although there are a few potential dig sites for those so inclined.
Typical survey trips will be relatively short (4-6 hours) unless teams want to stay longer.
Camping Facilities:
The project will be using the Friars Hole (Droop Mountain) Field Station,
located about a 25-minute drive (or a 25-minute walk on a different route) from the cave entrance.
The facility can sleep about 15 people (bring a sleeping bag and pad).
There is an outhouse and good spring water, but no hot water or showers.
The facility has a refrigerator, hot plate, and microwave oven.
There is a wood stove, but it isn't very effective so be prepared for cold sleeping if the weather is chilly.
There is ample parking and room for tents. The cost is $5 per night per person.
There is no food, gas, or supplies near the cave or camping facility so bring your own food.
Directions to the Camping:
- Take I-64 to Exit 169, US 219 at Lewisburg, and head north on US 219.
- Go about 21.5 miles (passing through the "towns" of Maxwelton, Frankford, and Renick on the way).
- About 6.8 miles past the "town" of Renick you will see a gate and mailboxes on the left side of the road.
(If you see the sign saying you are in Pocahontas County you went a few hundred feet past the gate).
- Go through the gate (leaving it as you found it) and take a right onto a good gravel road
heading into the woods for about a mile.
- Immediately after passing an obvious pond on the right you will see the Field Station on the right.
Directions to the Cave:
- At Exit 169 on I-64 (Lewisburg) take US-219 North.
- About 14 miles after you get on US-219 you will pass through Renick (there is a sign saying so).
- About 7 miles after Renick you will enter Pocahontas County (there is a sign saying so).
- About 2.75 miles after you enter Pocahontas County, turn left on Lobelia Road.
The road is narrow and has some interesting turns.
- After about 2.1 miles turn left at a "T" intersection onto Jacox Road.
- After about 0.7 mile on Jacox bear left and somewhat downhill onto an unpaved driveway.
There should be a rusty "National Speleological Society" tag on a post near the driveway turn.
(Caution, there is an uphill left turn prior to the correct one).
- After about 0.7 mile you will come to the very rustic Friars Hole fieldhouse on the left.
We will meet here.
Snedegars Cave Re-survey Project