Darren's Rides

Lava River Cave Flagstaff Az.

On Sunday July 19 2009, Myself with Rod and his wife Ann, Tracy and his wife Kannikar went to do a hike into the Lava River Cave in Flagstaff Az. It was a blast we all had a great time and it was also cold inside the cave. You could see your breath witch made it hard to get some photos all you could was this fog from you breathing. I did this hike one time before but didn't hike as for inside as this time.

Here is some info I dug up on the Lava River Cave in Flagstaff Az also some maps.

This mile-long lava tube cave was formed roughly 700,000 years ago by molten rock that erupted from a volcanic vent in nearby Hart Prairie. The top, sides and bottom of the flow cooled and solidified first, after which the insides of the lava river continued to flow emptying out the present cave.

Ample evidence of how the tube was born is written in the rocks of which it is formed. Small wave-like undulations in the floor are the remains of ripples frozen in the last trickle of molten rock that flowed from the cave. Stone icicles hanging from the ceiling show where a final blast of volcanic heat caused the rock to partially re-liquefy and drip.

Dress appropriately when you come to visit, with warm clothes and sturdy shoes. The cave is as cool as 42° even in summer, and you may even find some ice inside. The rocks are always sharp and slippery, too. Bring two or three sources of light, in case one happens to fail, it can be very dark one mile from the nearest light source.

Portions of the cave which were defaced by graffiti, have been recently cleaned up. Today's more environmentally aware visitors take better care of such a unique resource and report vandals when they see them.

Season: You can visit Lava River Cave the year-round though you may need to ski to it in winter. Temperatures inside the cave remain roughly the same summer and winter. (between 35° and 45° Fahrenheit).

Lava River Cave: A Natural Museum
Not all museums are in a building in a city. Lava River Cave is a natural museum where people can learn about history, geology, biology and cave climates.
Unlike other museums, you can't just walk through a door to visit Lava River Cave. The entrance is actually a hole in the ground and the floor just inside is covered with large, slippery boulders. Also, conditions throughout the cave are always cold and dark. you will need to dress warmly, wear sturdy soled shoes and bring adequate lighting in order t make the most of your visit.

A Little Bit of History
Lumbermen working for the Saginaw and Manistee Lumber Company discovered Lava River Cave about 1915. These lumbermen made less than $2.50 per day and each day was usually 12 hours of back-breaking work.

Chainsaws were not popular yet and trees were felled using axes and 2-man "buck" saws. Finding Lava River Cave was probably an exciting and welcome diversion for these hard working men of the early 1900s.

Homesteaders are said to have visited lava River Cave sometime around the turn of the century. According to historians, homesteaders would collect large quantities of ice from the cave. The ice was used for refrigeration, cooling drinks and maybe even to help create a rare summer treat- ice cream.

A Frozen Moment in Geologic Time
Lava River Cave probably formed within a few hours after a brief volcanic eruption. In comparison to other geologic events, like the cutting of a canyon or the movement of a glacier, Lava River Cave formed in the briefest of moments. Since the cave appears today much as it did shortly after its formation, it is indeed a "frozen moment" in geologic time.
Lava River Cave is a unique kind of cave known as a "lava tube". It is the longest cave of this kind in Arizona. Geologists believe lava River Cave was formed sometime between 650,000 and 700,000 years ago when molten lava erupted from a volcano near the present day site of Michelback Ranch. When the lava came to the surface its temperature was hotter than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit!

Lava Flow Features
Lava River Cave contains a variety of outstanding lava flow features. These features also used to exist outside the cave, but have long since been washed away by wind and rain, and overgrown by plants. The lava flow features in this cave include flow ripples, splashdowns, cooling cracks and lavasicles.

Flow ripples can be observed on most of the floor throughout the last two thirds of the cave. This gives the floor the appearance of a frozen river. Actually the floor is a "frozen river" of lava which flowed through the cave shortly after the walls and ceiling hardened.
Splashdowns appear to be rocks floating on the frozen river because they actually were. Shortly after the ceiling hardened a few rocks fell into the still flowing floor and floated downstream a little ways before the floor also hardened.

Cooling cracks are long cracks in the floor, ceiling and walls. Some of these are six inches wide, three feet deep and over twenty feet long. These cracks formed as the lava cooled and hardened because lava shrinks when it cools.

Lavasicles are very small icicle-like formations which formed after the walls and ceiling hardened. For some reason a hot blast of gas shot through the tube shortly after it formed and partially remelted the walls and ceiling. This caused drips of remelted lava to form and quickly hardened into lavasicles.

The lava flow features within Lava River Cave may not seem particularly fragile, but they are over half a million years old and cannot be repaired or replaced. Please help keep the flow features unmarred for the enjoyment of future visitors.
Nature's Ice Box

Lava River Cave is an amazingly simple natural ice box. In fact, it could be considered the largest "refrigerator" in northern Arizona. On the hottest day of summer, when the temperature outside the cave is over 90 degrees, just inside the temperature is 35 degrees and sometimes there is ice!

There are two reasons that temperatures within the cave remain so cold:
First, the lava rock which formed the cave is an excellent insulator. Its dark color and very dense composition prevent heat from traveling from the surface into the cave.
Second, Lava River Cave is cold because of its general shape. The highest point of the cave is the entrance. Since hot air rises and cold air falls, cold air falls into the cave during winter and is trapped there throughout the summer.

Creatures That Like The Cold and Dark
Lava River Cave is occasionally used by animals and insects. These include crickets, beetles, porcupines, squirrels and bats. All of these creatures are shy, and since so many people visit Lava River Cave, it is rare to actually see them while in the cave. We do know that animals use the cave because their droppings can be observed beneath rocks and along the walls.

A Few Words About Bats
Bats are truly amazing little creatures which unfortunately have an undeserved bad reputation. A lot of people think bats are filthy, disease-ridden, flying mice. This is not the case. Bats are actually very clean and no more likely to contract rabies than your household pet. They are very important to the environment since they are the only major night-flying predator of insects. In one night some individual bats can nearly eat their own weight in insects! Anyone who has had their share of mosquito bites ought to appreciate that.
Bats and other creatures which like to live in cold, dark caves are very vulnerable to human disturbance. Please remember to treat any creatures you observe within Lava River Cave with respect and give them lots of room. Remember - you are a visitor in their home.

Have A Safe Visit
The cold, dark conditions within Lava River Cave require some special precautions and preparation on the part of those planning a visit. The cave is not recommended for persons with physical handicaps because of extreme steep, narrow and rocky terrain.
Each person in your group should carry three sources of light.
Wear sturdy soled shoes that protect your from slipping or twisting your ankle.
Wear warm Clothes. A hard hat will protect your from bumping your head.
Leave notice with friends of your planned trip and return time.
Enjoy your visit!

Conservation
Litter and graffiti have been problems within Lava River Cave since the late 1960s. For many years various groups and individuals have attempted to clean up the cave only to have their efforts thwarted by the return of more litter and new graffiti.

A major restoration effort was organized in May of 1991. Almost all the litter was packed out and much of the graffiti removed at that time.

You can help maintain Lava River Cave for enjoyment of future visitors.
Please don't build fires within the cave. Soot and ash can stain the floor and walls, and smoke disturbs animals which might use the cave.

If you see litter within the cave, you can help by packing it out. Aside from being unsightly, litter can upset the ecosystem of the cave.

If you see individuals writing on walls or committing other acts of vandalism within the cave, please report your observations to the Forest Service. Don't endanger yourself by confronting vandals, but if you can make a a description of the vandals or not the license plate number of their vehicle, you could help save the cave from further degradation.

Location: About 14 miles north of Flagstaff on paved highways and graveled Forest Roads. Travel time is about 45 minutes.
GPS: N35° 20' 32.1714", W-111° 50' 8.196"

Access: Drive 9 miles north of Flagstaff on US 180 and turn west (left) on FR 245 (at
milepost 230). Continue 3 miles to FR171 and turn south 1 mile to where FR 171B turns left a short distance to Lava River Cave. Click on map at right for larger view.

Notes: Wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes.Bring two or three light sourcesPlease don't deface cave surfaces, but do report anyone who does.

For more information contact: Peaks Ranger Station, 5075 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, (928) 526-0866
　
This sign shows the lay out of the cave

This is the mouth of the cave and Kannikar standing out side

I liked how they stacked all the rocks up

Tracy and Kannikar

Heading down inside

Ann then Rod then ?

Ice crystals forming on the ceiling

Ann

Rod with the light

Ann, Tracy, and Kannikar

Lava flow channels

The ceiling and walls

The ceiling 40 feet high

The floor in fairly flat in parts of the cave

Some low points that you have to crawl low on to get through

Another high point

The End

Arizona Wild Fire Season

Well it’s that time of the year it’s Forest Fire Season. Here are a few of the fire they are working right now some are control burns and some aren’t

July 7, 2009WILLIAMS, Ariz. — The Cross Fire ( http://inciweb.org/incident/1717/ ) on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest is 250 acres in size and is expected to grow today due to continuing warm and dry conditions. The fire, which was started by lightning June 30, is located about 18 miles south southeast of Williams near Bar Cross Tank and is being managed to meet resource objectives.

Smoke is visible from Interstate 40, Williams, Prescott and the Verde Valley. Last night, smoke impacts to communities were minimal. However, depending on wind speed and direction, smoke could be noticeable anywhere from along I-40 to communities south and southwest of the fire.

Today, firefighters will be conducting black lining operations along pre-established perimeter roads. During black lining operations, firefighters burn fuels along designated boundaries in order to limit the fire’s growth in specific directions. Firefighters will be working to black line forest roads 105, 127 and 126 in order to prevent the fire from spreading south and east.

To conduct the black lining operations, firefighters may be using both hand (drip torches) and aerial (helicopter) ignition techniques.

About 50 fire personnel are assigned to the Cross Fire. Resources include the Kaibab fuels crew, two Kaibab engines, a Kaibab dozer, the Kaibab helitack crew, a Coconino National Forest engine, the Flagstaff Hotshots, and the Saguaro Fire Use Module.

As the Cross Fire burns through the forest under story and accumulations of forest debris, it is helping to re-establish the ecological role of fire, promote forest health, and reduce the future risk of large, destructive wildfires. The Cross Fire will likely continue growing over the next several days, as weather conditions are expected to be warmer and drier.

There are no closures associated with the Cross Fire. However, visitors should use caution when traveling in the area and should watch for firefighting vehicles and personnel. http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/kai/news/news-attachments/cross_fire_map_070709.pdf

As of July 13, the Diamond fire ( http://inciweb.org/incident/1667/ ) was 17,100 acres. During the recent drying trend that has been accompanied with high daytime temperatures, fire behavior on this fire had resumed, however yesterday's rain showers modified fire behavior considerably and no new growth was reported. The Diamond fire continues to be monitored and patrolled.

July 15, 2009

Happy Jack, AZ —The 4th of July Complex is now 900 acres and is expected to grow an additional 500 acres today. Fire crews have begun burning to the north of the fire near the southern end of Blue Ridge Reservoir in an effort to hold control lines.

The smoke is moving in an easterly and south easterly direction. Smoke should be visible from Payson and may possibly impact the town of Heber/Overgaard and the community of Forest Lakes this afternoon and this evening. Expected fire behavior is a backing fire with 1 – 2 foot flame heights, there could be occasional single and group tree torching associated with heavy downed fuels. The fire received a light rain yesterday which moderated fire behavior for the remainder of the day.

The emergency fire closure area has been extended to include a portion of the Blue Ridge Reservoir. The closure area is described as north of Forest Road (FR) 300; east of FR 123; south and east of FR 09709R and crossing Blue Ridge Reservoir; west of FR 139B; and west of FR 139A to the Junction of FR 95; then south to FR 300. Forest Road 123 has now been closed to any thru traffic, however forest roads 95 and 300 will remain open for thru traffic. This closure will remain in effect until such time Fire Managers feel it is safe for the public to re-enter the area.

The extension of the closure has also closed a further portion of the Arizona Trail. The Fred Haught Trail and a portion of the U-Bar and Barbershop trails are also closed.

Fire managers have completed all burns on the Independence fire. The fire is 1300 acres and light smoke is expected along State Highway 87. Fire personnel will continue to hold and patrol control lines. There are some green interior areas within the perimeter of the fire that will continue to smolder with minimal backing as resource benefits are achieved. The fire is 80% contained.

July 17, 2009
Flagstaff, AZ - The Radio Fire, a 3-acre fire located just north of the radio facilities on the top of Mount Elden, was reported at approximately 1a.m. today and may be visible from Flagstaff as the day progresses.

The fire is burning in the old Radio Fire area.

The cause of ignition is unknown at this time, and approximately 16 firefighters from the Coconino National Forest are responding to the fire.

The area in which the fire is burning has light fuels, a low rate of spread and no structures are threatened.

The current fire danger on the Coconino National Forest is high, and while there aren’t fire restrictions at this time around Flagstaff, the Forest Service urges people to use caution with all their fires – from campfires to cigarettes.

Cross Wildland Fire Kaibab National Forest Active 5,070 2 hrs. ago
Diamond Fire Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit Gila National Forest Active 17,600 23 hrs. ago
Indian Fire Wildland Fire Kaibab National Forest Active 619 7 days ago
Castle Fire Wildland Fire Kaibab National Forest Active 432 6/26/2009
Ruby Complex Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit Kaibab National Forest Active 4,644 6/25/2009
Point Fire Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit Coconino National Forest Active 1,200 6/15/2009
Real Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit Coconino National Forest Active 850 6/15/2009
Rattle Ridge Wildland Fire Coconino National Forest Active 403 6/15/2009
Pioneer Fire Wildland Fire Tonto National Forest Active 1,375 6/15/2009
Ruby Fire Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit Kaibab National Forest Inactive 2,368 6/14/2009
Game Reserve Wildland Fire Grand Canyon National Park Inactive 280 6/11/2009 Quincey Wildland Fire Grand Canyon National Park Active 80 6/11/2009
Canelo Wildland Fire Coronado National Forest Inactive 4,208 6/11/2009
Skeleton Wildland Fire Coronado National Forest Active 6,500 6/6/2009

For additional information on the Cross Fire, please visit Inciweb or contact Jackie Banks at (928) 635-8314

Prescribed Fire Link:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/conditions/prescribed-fire-newmap.jpg

Old Cattle Corral

Went camping up north on Saturday July 11 off of the Lake Marry Rd and just east of SR87.

After setting up camp and a quick snack I head back out for a nice slow ride. I rode out on FR 211 to some old corral that I seen earlier that day. Took some photo’s of the old corral that was falling down in places. The corral was made with dead tree’s and looks like it’s been there for 100 years or so.

I talked to a rancher he explained that the corral was once a old ranch but now it belongs to the Forest Service. Also he said at one time it was where they stored and weighed the cattle before loading them onto trucks for market.

There was some old cattle hides hanging from the back fence. Where it looked like a barn in the middle the only thing in good shape was the scale. The scale was about 10ft wide and 20ft long.

So with dark setting in I rode around heading up Bold Mesa. On the way back ran into a bunch of cows on the side of the road. I also stopped for a bit to listen to some Elk bugle but didn’t See any.

Till next time Darren.

The Forest Service Old Time Corral on FR 211