Colorado cave projects

There are numerous caves in Colorado and 14 of these are over one mile in length. Most are in limestone, and they can be found in clusters where this limestone exists. The caves can generally be divided into 11 regions as shown on the map below.

Groaning Cave

Groaning Cave is the longest in Colorado at a surveyed length of 14.7 miles. It was first discovered by cavers in 1968 and the survey is still ongoing. The boundaries of the cave were reasonably well established in just the first few years of exploration, but many additional miles have been added through surveying interior passages. There are hundreds of remaining leads left to be documented.

Groaning Cave is located in White River National Forest and access is regulated by both the USFS (who needs to issue a permit), and the Colorado Cave Survey (who will collect liability waivers and issue the gate combination). The road to the cave is not maintained and usually only opens after Memorial Day. The cave is closed from August 15 - April 15 for bat activity. This leaves a season of about 10-12 weeks each year from late-May to mid-August. Plan accordingly.

For more detailed information on caving techniques, caving gear, and cave projects, visit my website at: https://www.derekbristol.com Caves are delicate and ...
Caving Vlog #13 First survey trip of the season to Groaning Cave for 2017. Groaning is on White River National Forest and is the longest cave in Colorado at 14.5 miles. For more information on caving in Colorado and Groaning Cave: http://coloradocavesurvey.org Caves are delicate and potentially dangerous places.
Caving Vlog #73 Exploration and survey in Groaning Cave continues after 50 years. Caves are delicate and potentially dangerous places. For more information on wild caving, vertical caving techniques, and cave survey, visit the National Speleological Society website: https://caves.org To find a local grotto (caving club) visit: https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease that is devastating to bats.

RonTom Cave

RonTom Cave is the longest and deepest cave in the Lime Park area of Colorado. It is a cold, technical, and challenging cave to visit. It is also very delicate. The history of its discovery, exploration and management is full of controversy and conflict. Many of the cavers involved in the early years are no longer active, and a new survey is ongoing. Some new areas have been recently discovered that were accessed via technical climbs.

Caving Vlog #15 Continuation of the survey of RonTom Cave in Colorado. For more information on caving in Colorado: http://coloradocavesurvey.org Caves are delicate and potentially dangerous places. For more information on wild caving, vertical caving techniques, and cave survey, visit the National Speleological Society website: https://caves.org To find a local grotto (caving club) visit: https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos/new_grotto_page-v2.shtml White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease that is devastating to bats.
Caving Vlog #36 Last trip for 2017 to rig and survey newly discovered passage near the back of RonTom Cave. This is passage reached via a pair of technical climbs done in August. Caves are delicate and potentially dangerous places.

spanish cave

Spanish Cave is located in the Marble Mountain region of the Sangre de Cristo range. It is the highest elevation significant cave in the US. The upper entrance is at an elevation of 12,100 feet. The cave is over a mile long and is the deepest in Colorado at over 700 feet of total depth. It is a cold, wet and technical cave that is considered by most experienced cavers to be the most hazardous in Colorado. A thorough survey is underway.

Weekend expedition to visit Spanish Cave in southern Colorado. At more than a mile in length and 750 feet in depth, it is the deepest in the state. At an elevation of 12,000 feet, it is the highest significant cave in the US.

premonition cave

Premonition Cave is located on the Flat Tops in White River National Forest and is now closed year-round due to multiple types of bat activity and the concerns around the spread of WNS. It’s current surveyed length is just over 1.5 miles and there is still survey and exploration work that needs to be completed once access restrictions are relaxed.

Fixin’-to-die cave

Fixin’-to-Die is over 6 miles in surveyed length and is the second longest cave in Colorado. Access to the cave is technically and physically challenging, and the cave is known for being sporty with lots of exposure. Survey and exploration of the cave are still underway.

LaSunder cave

LaSunder Cave is located on BLM land near Dotsero, CO and access is managed by the Colorado Cave Survey for the CO Bureau of Land Management. There are restrictions on the number of trips each year and each trip must have an approved trip leader. All trip participants must sign a liability waiver before visiting.