Boulder Cave: Please do not disturb the bats - May 2017

This is a short, unique trail that's open seasonally from late May to October. When I checked it out, the US Forest Service still had the trail marked as closed, so I called the Naches Ranger Station at (509) 653-1401 and verified it was open before I left. Endangered Townsend bats call the cave home, so the trail is closed during their active mating season to avoid disturbing the bats. Bring a flashlight if you explore the cave; it's gets dark in there!

The bats are at risk for White Noise Syndrome, which is caused by a fungus that grows around the muzzles of hibernating bats. It is very important that you do not bring in gear that has been used in other caves without thoroughly cleaning it first! This is important to stop the spread of the invasive fungus across the US. There are boot brushes at the caves which you are required to use before entering, but if you do a lot of caving it's best to decontaminate your gear fully before and after going into the cave. Also, it's best to leave four-legged hiking friends at home for this one; while they aren't explicitly banned, they're strongly discouraged.

It may also be a good idea to bring a trash bag. We went 3 days after the trail opened for the season, and already there was a lot of trash along the trail, especially by the caves. It was very disappointing. Remember: pack it in, pack it out!

Boulder Cave
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Parking Permit: NW Forest Pass ($5 per day/$30 per year)
Distance: 1.4 miles round-trip
Elevation gain: 235'

From Yakima, take Highway 12 west toward Naches. Past Naches at the junction with Hwy 410, go straight and stay on 410 until you get to Cliffdell. Past the little community, look for a sign for Old River Rd and Boulder Cave Recreation Area. Hang a left and go over the bridge, and hang right. Drive past Camp Roganunda to the recreation area at the end. This is a great place for a picnic breakfast or lunch if you brought one.

The trail picks up near the west side of the recreation area. You'll pass a lookout that juts out above the canyon, as well as get views of a young cave that's forming downstream from the main caves.

View of a relatively newer cave.

Eventually you'll reach a junction. Follow the signs for the cave entrance. There are boot brushes at the entrance, and I presume the one-way route also helps with traffic flow during busy summer weekends.

The cave is short, but it gets very dark! Make sure you bring some sort of light source. 

In short order, you'll see the light on the other side.

  

The trail takes you back up the way you came for a short, sweet hike not too far outside of Yakima.