| ESSO Trip Descriptions | |
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Wondering How Difficult a trip is
going to be? Need to know what to wear? Want to know what to
bring? How long is this trip anyways? Is this cave open to
the public? These answers and much
more will be found in the brief trip descriptions below. This is
descriptions of area caves surrounding Carter County. Descriptions of other caves will be
provided online as events arise needing the info. Contact
us for more info...
ESSO Members: Have a new description or update, please share it will us!
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Jonathon Lewis
Burchett Cave - Carter County, KY *Closed* |
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| If you like small places and long crawling
passages then this is the cave for you. Over 50% hands and knees
crawling, some canyon hopping, twist and climbs. The trip starts with a
long meandering canyon that will have you walking sideways in spots
followed by a 45 minute crawl which pops you into the base of a nice Pit
50' tall (King Pit). You will have to squeeze thru a 14""
S-turn crawl on your side in order to get to Saddle Pit. From here you
will get to view Eagle Beak Pit, Big Room Pit and see some large rim stone
dams before crawling out of the last cave passage and climbing out of a
20 foot pit. Wet passages are likely to be encountered along with long
dusty passages. This cave varies in difficultly, dependent on
trip. Classification can be from 2-4 levels on a 1-4 level
scale.
The cave is on private property and is currently CLOSED. Now CLOSED ALSO during Carter Caves Annual Crawlathon to all Trips. Contact Land Owner Relations for more info. See *Closed* for more information...
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Jennifer Estep & Jonathon Lewis
Cow Counterfeiter Cave System - Carter City, KY *Closed* |
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| This is an extensive cave system with many
dusty crawling passageways and large damp walking passages. The dust will be flying
in the crawls however, so if you have
breathing problems this is not the trip for you. If that information does not stop
you the journey to the cave will. The total walk to the cave is
approx 1/2 mile but that is not the problem, its the last part that
about kills you. Upon getting to the last 400 ft. you discover it
is a climb up a 40-50 degree banking,
so you should be in good health to take on this trip. Upon entering one
of the 10+ entrances named bills crawl you will encounter a 100 ft. belly crawl utilizing only your elbows and toes.
However on a lighter note this is a great cave to see, and see many
interesting things including cross bedding, right angle passage changes
in this typical network style cave. In case of cold weather on
your trip, aka Crawlathon time, it is suggested you wear a coat to the cave entrance and leave
it until the return. This is a difficult trip and is classified a level
3 of a 1-4 scale. Dangers include pit falls, claustrophobia,
breathing problems, high impact climb, etc. A fun and exciting yet
difficult trip.
The cave is on private property and is CLOSED. Open during Carter Caves Annual Crawlathon to Scheduled trips only. Contact Land Owner Relations for more info. See *Closed* for more information... Click Here for the History of the Cow Counterfeiter Cave System
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Larry Matiz @ Skyscraper Cave
Skyscraper, Dam-In, Tygart's Saltpeter Caves, Carter County, KY *Permit Only* |
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The cave is on private property and we have permission only if made in advance.. Contact Land Owner Relations for more info. See *Permit Only* for more information...
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Roy Vanhoozer
Tar Kiln Cave, Elliott County, KY *Permit Only* |
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| A BIG cave, with numerous entrances, just
getting there is a challenge. You'll hike about 1/2 mile to the cave,
through cow pastures and steep sloping hills and maybe snow and ice, and
then you must decide: how wet do I really want to get (understanding
that eventually you'll be making that 1/2 mile hike back to your
vehicle). Wet gear is recommended if you want to get really wet, but
most will choose only to get their boots wet. There are only a few short
necessary crawls, but for you that love to crawl, opportunities will be
available. Bring a change of clothes for afterwards. NOTE: This trip
attempts to avoid as much water as possible.
The cave is on private property and we have permission only if made in advance.. Contact Land Owner Relations for more info. See *Permit Only* for more information...
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Chris Chandler
Wilburn Cave, Carter County, KY *Permit Only* |
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| A relatively small cave, with two entrances,
but just
getting there is a challenge. You'll hike up a modest hill to the cave,
then upon arriving be able to view both entrances in the same location.
Each however on different levels of the cave. Wilburn cave is
special with it having many different places for you to used those knee
and elbow pads you better of remembered to bring along. The cave
has limited walking passages, a few select canyon passages, some nice
domes-pits, making the trip well worth the time. A a side note
ESSO is currently working on a survey of this cave.
Interested in learning or working with a survey team in the area? Contact ESSO about joining an upcoming survey team. The cave is on private property and we have permission only if made in advance.. Contact Land Owner Relations for more info. See *Permit Only* for more information...
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Tygart's Gorge - Hiking and Caving Adventure, Eastern Kentucky |
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| This hiking/caving trip will take you into the
beautiful Tygart’s Creek Gorge. This trip will consist of hours of
scenic hiking through rough terrain and steep inclines around Tygarts
Creek. Along the way you will get to see several different caves. One
Skyscraper Cave, seen only during the Tygarts Creek Regretta in the
past, is considered by many to be the most beautiful in Carter County.
On this trip you will have to navigate through a very narrow canyon
passage and a very tight S-turn side crawl for about 15-20ft. But the
formation filled room at the end makes it well worth the crawl getting
there. After skyscraper you may venture off to another cave found within
the Tygarts Creek Gorge.
The caves are on private property and we have permission to visit only with approval thru Land Owner Relations. Contact Land Owner Relations for more info.
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Tygart's Creek Regatta - Dependent on Water Level |
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| This is a 6-mile canoe trip that involves a
brief stop to explore Skyscraper Cave usually. This is one of the
smaller caves in the area, but also reputed to be one of the most
beautiful. After some tight vertical squeezes, a cold shower, and a
short crawl that puts the Squeeze Box to shame, you are rewarded to one
the most spectacular flowstone formations you will ever see. Canoeing
experience is required! If you don't have the experience, then you'll
know why we call this a Regretta. You will navigate Tygart's Creek
Gorge. Kentucky's most scenic limestone gorge. You will be on the creek
for at least 4 hours plus times on shore. It is cold and wet, especially
if you swamp! Because of the remoteness of the gorge and limited access,
there is no turning back once you start. Canoes, paddles, and vests
availability is dependent on the event. You should bring waterproof
containers for caving gear, polypro and/or wool clothes (winter months),
change of clothes (wet suit, a recommended option in winter), drink, and
lunch or snack.
The caves referred to are on private property and we have permission to visit them with approval thru land owner relations. Contact Land Owner Relations for more info. |
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Lewis Caveland Lodge
Carter Caves State Resort Park, Carter County, KY |
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| Beneath the forested hills of this resort,
nature has hidden more than 20 twisting caverns. Visit Cascade Cave,
where you'll discover a 30-foot underground waterfall. A must-see
while you're at Carter Caves is X Cave, where, for millions of years,
nature has formed luminous stone fans, pipes and spirals. For
those who are up to the challenge of a self guided tour, sign up for a
permit to enter Laurel Cave & Horn Hollow Cave. Here you will
be enabled to get your journey as a caver started. If you come out
wanting more, contact ESSO Grotto about joining up with one of the most
active caving groups in the nation. The ESSO Grotto is a
highly recognized caving organization in the area.
Interesting facts about Carter Caves, located near Olive Hill, KY is it is home to the annual winter Crawlathon, many ESSO Grotto functions, and events in which ESSO supports. Many weekends in a month it is also the site of ESSO projects / surveys, and trips, both educational and enjoyable. Contact Carter Caves for annual event information, or contact ESSO for membership information. |
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