IXL is the largest of the Santa Cruz caves, at around 600ft long. Unfortunately, this makes IXL the target of ill-equiped and reckless cavers. Alcohol and drugs are common in IXL, and they just don't mix with the 40ft pitches and tricky climbs. A "rite of passage" for the local youth, this cave has already seen much damage and several accidents--a body recovery is only a matter of time!

IXL Cave, named after the mining company, IXL Lime Works whichat one time extracted lime and limestone from the area, was originally discovered in the 50's. Later rediscovered by a local caver in the mid-70's, the cave was literally full of beautiful snow white formations. Cave popcorn covered many walls, stalactites hung from every ceiling and stalagmites of all sizes reached upwards. Beautiful drapperies and pure white flowstone made this fascinating cave a paradise for the native Dolloff Spiders.

Around the mid-80's, IXL was once again rediscovered, this time by the general public. Within just ten years, and even with constant cleanup efforts and ill- fated gatings, IXL Cave has been reduced to a muddy hole where the native life struggles to survive. Every formation has been broken and removed. Flowstone is muddy and scratched. Beer cans, broken glass, broken flashlights, and batteries cover the floors and are jammed in every crack or small opening. On one trip, three used condoms and human feces were also discovered. Scores of drunk, irresponsible, and uninformed individuals visit IXL every day, leaving trash, destruction, and pollution behind. One day, out of over 19 people, none had helmets, gloves, proper footwear, or anything other than dim flashlights. One woman was discovered in the cave with no shoes and not even her own flashlight. Three were smoking. IXL Cave is being choked by ignorance and irresponsibility.

One of many spray-painted arrows in IXL. This one is on a wall in the Bigroom. Oct 1997.

The land was privately owned for years, however it was recently purchased by the Save the Redwoods League and donated to the State Parks. Unfortunately, the State Parks didn't have the funds to pay the taxes at that time, so the land sat neglected until now. But when asked about the caves, the park service suggested that they were thinking of blasting them shut! After being informed of the presence of the rare arachnids and bats, however, it became obvious another solution was needed.

In response to this problem, the SFBC formed a special commitee to work with the park service. This commitee is responsible for helping form a management plan for the caves, and organizing cave cleanup and restoration efforts. If you would like to be involved in any of these activities, please contact the SFBC c/o IXL Cave Management or drop by one of our monthly meetings.

Right now, the land and cave is officially closed to the public, not that it stops anyone. There is a $150 fine if you are caught on the property without permission. Eventually, when the Park Service has had time to create appropriate trails and form a management plan for the caves, the land will be reopened, however access to the caves will still be restricted. Information on the procedure for obtaining gate keys and permission is currently pending.

Getting Vertical in IXL Cave by Robert Mudry
IXL Cleanup Trip Report by Robert Mudry
CAVE: Look, there's a hole in the ground now by Manni Davis

Photos: (Top) Entrance to IXL Cave, aka "Hellhole.", October 1997; One of many spray-painted arrows in IXL; The "Bigroom" in IXL

©2008. These pages and their contents are property of the San Francisco Bay Chapter Incorporated, part of the National Speleological Society, except where otherwise noted. Opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the SFBC, its board members, or the NSS.