Hopkins Chocolate Cave — Attraction in Altamont

One of the first caves in the cave loop to stop. It was AMAZING!! It was a hot day, but going down to the cave was very cooling!! It is refreshing! There are steep steps to go down into the cave. Of course it's dark, so flashlights/headlamps are a MUST! We did not bring or purchase helmets or knee pads, because we did not plan on going all the way through. It was picky a day visit, and we wanted to go into as many caves as could before dark, so we didn't have time. And we were extra careful. It is easy to hit your head or scrape your knees. The ground is uneven, so you really have to watch your step. There wasn't many people here for a holiday weekend. I think it's one of the parks that doesn't get a lot of attention. But it is so worth the...

My personal favorite cave in Lava Beds. This cave is rated as challenging, but I found the main system to be fairly easy, with only a couple areas that required ducking and crawling on the jagged lava floor. I can't speak for any side passages, though.

The cave entrance is in an area with several natural bridges that cross over the open parts of the tube. As you enter, the ceiling slopes downward in a few places, then opens up into a number of larger chambers. This cave is my favorite because the chambers were full of the same golden bacteria in the Golden Dome, but also the eponymous chocolate colored rock formation. In many places, it really did look like hardened melted chocolate dripping down from...

One of our favorite caves of the day. The downhill loop was closed for hibernation bats and this was a highlight. Lots to see and a good cave for an intermediate group. Bring a good light, knee pads amd warm clothes you don't mind...