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Friday June 27, 2008 Activity & Cruise
carAVan to the Lava Beds National Monument
Friday June 27, 2008 Activity & Cruise
carAVan to the Lava Beds National Monument
Itinerary:
Depart Red Lion Inn Friday morning at 8:00am
Arrive Lava Beds National Monument
Visitor Center at The Cave Loop at 9:05am
Tour the Caves on Cave Loop, this will be a Self Guided Tour
at your Own Pace
Meet up at the Visitor Center at 11:30pm
Lunch and Stage for departure for Part 2 of carAVan
A BOX LUNCH will be provided at no charge
Depart the Visitor Center at 12:30pm
Arrive Red Lion Inn Friday afternoon at 2:10pm
Trip milage = 97.2 miles start to finish (approximately)
Information about the park:
Lava Beds National Monument is a land of turmoil, both geological and historical. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created a rugged landscape dotted with diverse volcanic features. More than 700 caves, Native American rock art sites, historic battlefields and campsites, and a high desert wilderness experience await you!
Summer Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Entrance Fee: $10.00 per vehicle/good for 7 days
If you already have a National Parks Annual Pass, this may be an eligible park for you
? NO RESERVATIONS ARE NEEDED to visit the dozens of self-guided caves found on Cave Loop and elsewhere in the park. Have fun exploring on your own, but be sure to come prepared.
? Fern Cave and Crystal Ice Cave tours. Access to both caves is limited and neither is available on our Friday day visit
Pets
Pets are not allowed on any trail, in caves, in buildings, or in backcountry or wilderness areas. They may be secured in a registered campsite while their owners are enjoying the park, and must be on a leash at all times. They can be walked in developed areas, such as in the campground or along any park road. This really limits where you can take your pet, so your best bet is finding someone to look after them at home while you visit us. These rules are in place to protect our native wildlife, sensitive cave environments, and the experience of other visitors.
Accessibility
The Visitor Center, restrooms, and one campsite are handicapped accessible. Unfortunately, by their very nature, caves are inaccessible to anyone unable to navigate steep stairs, rocky trails, and in some cases, very low ceilings.
Goods & Services
The bookstore in the Visitor Center provides snack food, ice, flashlights both for loan and purchase, caving helmets, film, batteries, books, and an assortment of souvenirs. No gas, firewood, restaurants, or showers are available in the park.
There are some very important things you can do to stay safe during your visit:
? Caving: Long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toed shoes or boots are a must for all caves. Temperatures in the caves average 55 degrees Farenheit all year. Three flashlights per group is a bare minimum, in case of dead bulbs or batteries, and everyone in your group needs their own. Flashlights can be borrowed from the Visitor Center, but must be returned each afternoon.
Always let someone know where you are going and when you will return when caving. We highly recommend a helmet to protect your head; bicycle helmets work fine, and we sell inexpensive "bumphats" in the Visitor Center. We also recommend sturdy gloves and kneepads if you plan to visit more difficult caves, as you can expect to crawl on jagged lava. Maps of the inside of the developed caves are also available for sale in the Visitor Center, and are highly recommended for the more difficult, more complicated caves.
? Summer Weather: Intense sunlight and warm temperatures require plenty of sunscreen, brimmed hats, and a lot of water to drink. In fact, we recommend consuming up to a gallon of water per person, per day! And remember, sweet sports drinks and sodas can do more harm than good in hot weather, they can actually cause cramping and serious medical problems. It's safer to drink water, or water mixed with a small amount of a sports drink for flavor.
? Rattlesnakes: One poisonous snake, the western diamondback rattlesnake, finds valuable habitat in the park. While exploring the lava beds, never place a hand where you can't see it. If you do encounter a rattler, heed it's warning buzz and back away calmly.
? Mountain Lions: Stealthy and elusive, this is mountain lion territory. Always accompany small children and avoid traveling alone in the backcountry, especially if you are of small stature. Be especially wary at dawn and dusk, when lions are most active. If you do encounter a lion that seems curious about you, shout, throw rocks, and make yourself look as big and mean as possible. Do not run away, and contact help if the lion is not scared off.
THE PHOTO GALLERY IS COPYRIGHTED BUT HERE IS A LINK TO THE NATIONAL PARK WEBSITE PHOTO GALLERY PAGE
More information to follow