Get Outside Goes Underground

Basics:
Distance: 0.75 miles each way to cave entrance, then whatever distance you explore underground
Elevation: Trailhead is at 9,400 feet
Location: White River National Forest, Eagle County (see directions below)
Trailhead: There's actually a campground here with 7 sites and a pit toilet.
Entrance fee: Free for the cave area.
Hiking partners: Alex, Bill & Emily

Sure there are miles and miles of hiking trails in Colorado, but did you know a few trails lead to caves? Colorado is home to more than 100 caves. There are two commercial caves, Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs and Glenwood Caverns in Glenwood Springs. The rest are called "wild caves."

Some wild caves in Colorado are gated and locked, while others are open to the public. Fulford Cave is not only open to the public, it's on the state highway map and the Forest Service has named a nearby campground after the cave, the Fulford Cave campground.

When you arrive at the campground, turn right for the camp sites, turn left for the cave parking area. There's a sign in the parking lot for the trail to Fulford Cave. Follow the trail through the aspen trees. The trail is a beautiful hike. I can only imagine how nice it would be in the fall when the leaves are turning. While this is a pretty hike, it's not easy. The trail has several places where it climbs in elevation and there are several switchbacks.

You'll know when you've reached the cave entrance, there's a sign and there's a metal culvert in the ground. Sometimes the culvert entrance has a cover on it, sometimes the cover is broken. This is where we gear up.

Don't come to a cave in your hiking clothes and think "I'll just pop in." Bring gear, it's worth it. There are several web sites that list what to bring. The basics include 3 sources of light (don't bring just one, batteries die, even fresh batteries in a cold cave), a helmet (even a bike helmet will work), gloves (not cotton gloves, consider rubber gardening gloves), and boots (you will get muddy). You may want to add elbow and knee pads. Remember caves are cold, so bring a jacket, jeans and maybe a hat that will fit under your helmet.

The Forest service web site says, "This popular cave has a great variety of features to discover and explore. Cave exploration can be exciting, but visitors are reminded that caves can be dangerous and that special equipment is needed for a safe trip."

The culvert by the Fulford sign is the best entrance. There are other entrances to the cave, but you'll need technical gear.

The culvert entrance has a ladder inside. It's best to use the ladder like a ladder, face it and climb down. Work your way down slowly, there is one rung missing. At the bottom of the ladder, there is a bit of a drop into the cave. Be careful here, there is a steep slope below the entrance and it can get very slick. Take a moment to look around. You should see a rope you can hold onto as you walk down this slope into the cave.

You'll immediately notice a difference in temperature. It's about 45 degrees in Fulford, even in the summer.

At the bottom of this slope, consider turning off your lights for a minute or two. That will help your eyes adjust to the darkness. Turn your lights back on and you should see better. This is also a good spot to make sure your lights are working well, just in case you need to turn around.

From here, it's time to explore. I've been inside Fulford anywhere from an hour to several hours. I've found dead ends and turned around. I've been inside with experienced cavers who hit dead ends, then found the nook or cranny to crawl through into a different passage or different level. If you have children with you, consider letting them lead the group and see where you end up.

Always look behind you from time to time to see what the passage looks like going out. It's quite a different perspective and will help keep you from getting lost.

Wayne Harrison, the senior news editor for The Denver Channel and his daughter have been caving for years. Margaret has a great Web site with lots of information about her caving trips around the state. Margaret has also written a Guide to Fulford Cave which explains what to look for and where to turn to find your way around the cave.

As we explored, we found not only lots of cave formations, we also found a waterfall! Due to all the snowmelt this year, the waterfall was gushing. Bill and Alex climbed the waterfall while Emily and I stayed behind. Remember, snowmelt is very, very cold. Alex's feet were so cold that when he and Bill came back down, we had to hike back out of the cave really fast to get him outside and warm again.

For a map of the cave, visit pinecam.com.

I am no expert and this company does not take any responsibility for your adventure. Go only as far as you're comfortable and come prepared.

Don't forget to save some energy for the hike back to your car after caving. Fortunately, the hike back is down hill.

As always, if you have questions or comments, I'd love to hear from you, deb_stanley@kmgh.com.

Directions: Take I-70 to exit 147/Eagle. Turn left off the highway (from Denver) and follow the signs for "Sylvan Lake State Park." You'll take a couple turns, drive through a housing development, then turn right on Brush Creek Road. Drive 10.1 miles south of Eagle; turn left on the East Brush Creek, FDR 415 and drive 7 miles. The last mile on FDR 415 to the campground is a very narrow and rough rocky road. You'll pass the Sylvan Lake State Park visitor's center, but you don't have to stop here or pay to visit Fulford Cave.

Interested in hiking to another cave? 7NEWS Executive producer Robin Hoffman hiked to Spring Cave in the Flat Tops Wilderness with her family and several dogs, read her report tomorrow on TheDenverChannel.com

Previous hiking reports in Rocky Mountain National Park:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Granite Falls

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Bierstadt Lake

2007: Get Outside! Hiking to Chasm Lake

2007:Get Outside! Lulu City & Little Yellowstone

2007: Get Outside! Hiking The Loch, Andrew's Glacier

2007: Get Outside! Hiking to Sandbeach Lake

Indian Peaks/James Peak Wilderness:

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Arapaho Lakes

2007: Get Outside! Hiking to Mitchell & Blue Lakes

2007: Get Outside! Hiking The James Peak Area

2007: Get Outside! Hiking to Heart Lake

Boulder:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Forsythe Canyon To A Waterfall

2008: Get Outside! Climbing South Boulder Peak

2008: Get Outside! Hiking The Boulder Flatirons

2008: Get Outside! Circling Heil Valley Ranch

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Walker Ranch

2007: Get Outside! To The Top Of Bear Peak

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Rabbit Mountain

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Bald Mountain

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Betasso Preserve

2007: Get Outside! Circling Wonderland Lake

Golden area:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking To Forgotten Valley

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Chimney Gulch

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Apex Park

Northern Colorado:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Devil's Backbone

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Lake Agnes

Summit County:

2007: Get Outside! Hiking Mohawk Lakes & Continental Falls

Grand County:

2008: Get Outside! Hiking To A Waterfall At Snow Mountain Ranch

2008: Get Outside! Hiking Granby Ranch

Other:

2007: Get Outside! Our Favorite Hikes

2007: Get Outside! Our Favorite Bike Rides