The Oregon Caves

About 4500 feet above sea level, high in the Siskyou Mountains, lies the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve. The walking tour brings you deep inside an incredibly expansive natural maze where the sun doesn't shine, and the temperature generally sits around 7 degrees Celsius, year round.

But before you even get there...

Southern Oregon is so beautiful!



Upon arrival at the site, the first thing of note that you see is the Oregon Caves Chateau. Far from detracting from the natural scenery, the building enhances it, and offers lodging, food, and a gift shop.

 

In the next building, there is an interpretive centre, an interactive display, and a desk at which tickets are sold 90-minute guided tours.

Then, you enter the mountain.

 

 

It's dark and cold, and there are some places where even the shortest among us had to crouch. But it's absolutely mind-blowing. There are marble formations, an underground river, and a distinct feeling that you're seeing something that existed before the dawn of time.

Then, when you exit the caves, and you think you're done, there is a short walk back to the original starting area.

Or...

there is an optional hike to the top of the caves, where you're greeted at the summit by this:

 

The Siskyou Mountains.

As far as the eye can see.

 

On the way back down, we had an encounter with this fine fellow

 

 

and his mom, who made me more than a little nervous and looked like she was perfectly capable of releasing nature's wrath on anyone who got too close to her baby.

 

On the way out, there was this guy:

 

 

The others thought I was crazy, but I swear this small piece of Spanish moss was WATCHING ME.

Don't tell me you don't see it!

It was an incredible mission for the day, and so much more than I was expecting. The darkness made photography difficult (no tripods allowed!) but the sheer magic of this remote area itself left me more than a little blown away.