Type
Cave
Location
41.6980°N 121.5464°W
Heppe Cave is a short lava tube in the southern monument reached by a 0.4-mile trail, holding a pool in summer and an ice floor in winter. It is rated among the least challenging caves.
Details
- Type
- Cave
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
What to expect
Heppe is about 170 feet long. A collapsed section opens it to daylight, and water collects on the floor, freezing to ice in the cold months and standing as a pond in summer. The short trail in passes ponderosa pine, mountain mahogany, and juniper, with views of the collapsed lava tube along the way. A helmet and three light sources are required to enter the cave itself.