Driving back to camp we saw this sign for the Subway Cave. We thought that was an odd name and pulled off to check it out.

Knowing that Andra has no substantial cave experience, I dug my MagLite flashlight out of the car knowing full well it would be totally inadequate in a zero light cave. Then I snuck my million candle power floodlight out and we headed for the entrance. This is at the top of the stairs just before Andra's "caving lesson." :)

This is a great picture of the stair entrance. Did I mention that the two entrances were formed when the ceiling collapsed? Hmmm...

Here are some of the facts about the Subway Cave:

Geology - Less than 20,000 yeas ago, the lava of the Hat Creek flow was discharged in large volumes from a series of north-south fissures (cracks in the earth). This river of lava located near the town of Old Station, crawled northward 16 miles, covering the floor of Hat Creek Valley. While the top crust cooled and hardened, rivers of red-hot lava insulated by newly formed rock above, continued to flow. Eventually, the lava drained away, leaving tube-like caves. The entrance to the cave was formed by a partial collapse of the cave's roof many years ago. Subway Cave is the largest accessible tube in the flow.

The cave is entered on a stairway at a place where the former roof collapsed, called Devil's Doorway. Soon after the entrance a small widening of the tunnel is called Stubtoe Hall. Now the tunnel becomes rather narrow for some time, until Lucifer's Cul-de-Sac turns off to the left side. Now a wider passage goes to the biggest chamber of the cave called the Sanctum. The last part of the tube is again rather narrow and called Lavacicle Lane, because of the lava structures found here. Similar to the entrance the cave ends at a collapse of the ceiling called Rattlesnake Collapse. A last sight are the lava bubbles at the far right of this place. Now the cave is left on another stairway and a trail to the right leads back to the parking lot.

Location - Subway Cave is located near the town of Old Station, 1/4 mile north of the junction of Highway 44 & 89 across from Cave Campground.

Temperature - Temperature inside the cave remains a cool 46 degrees Fahrenheit year around. Be sure to take a jacket with you.

Safety - Rough floor, watch your step, low ceiling, sturdy shoes advised!

Season of Use - Cave is open late May through October. Closed during the winter months.

Visibility - Visibility is zero. Take a dependable flashlight with you. There are self-guided trail signs inside.

Length - 1,300 feet of winding lava tube. The total trail length is 1/3 mile.

Roof - Thickness varies from 8 to 24 feet.

Height - Varies from 6 to 17 feet.