|
Virtual Tour Station 11 The Devil's Icebox |
|
DiFoxfire explains the ancient cave system that lies below in the sinkhole that serves as the entrance to Devil's Icebox Cave. Pictured below is a karst window that gives a glimpse of the stream that flows from the Devil's Icebox Cave - upstream into Connor's Cave - downstream. Connor's Cave runs only about 150 feet into the hillside before it reaches a siphon, a point where the water and ceiling meet. |
Click on a "trail stop" to learn about what is seen along the way!
3 The Historic Rockbridge Mill Site 5 The Dam |
|
The first extensive exploration of Devil's Icebox Cave (the upstream side) was by Ben Yates who reported exploring five miles in 1924. Two years later, on August 25, 1926, he and his son William boasted exploring, "eight miles along the main channel and four miles of side passages." We now know that the cave actually has a total mapped passage distance of a little more than six miles. The adventurous cavers who finally accurately mapped the cave did not have an easy task because most of the first one-half mile is filled with water and must be entered by boat. The cave maintains a nearly constant 56 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be very uncomfortable for a wet and weary caver. Because Devil's Icebox Cave has such a fragile and potentially hazardous environment, only experienced and properly equipped groups may explore the cave. Exploration is permitted only on park-led Wild-Cave Tours in the spring and fall. Connor's Cave may be entered year-round without a permit. A good flashlight and appropriate shoes are recommended. |
|
Friends Event
/ Friends Membership
/ Friends Volunteer /
Friends History /
Park Maps and Hours / Park Trails &
Facilities /
Park Virtual Tour
/ Park Programs / Park History /
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park Home Page
This webpage was last updated on April 16, 2008
| FoRB Office
Outdoors Building |
Contact the FoRB office at |
Contact the Park Office
at: |