Caving - Big Brush Cave, Ashley NF, Vernal (Intro Clinic)

*This is a lottery event. You will be notified on May 8th if you got in. If you are on the waiting list, you will be notified as spots open up.

(MAX group size is 8)

Itinerary:

Carpooling - 7:00 am

Trailhead - 11:30 am (3 hr 45 min drive)

Hike to Cave - 11:30 am - 12 pm

Explore Cave - 12:30 am - 5:30 pm

Head Home - 11:00 pm

Directions: Big Brush Trailhead, Ashley National Forest, Vernal

Activity: 

Caving Big Brush Cave - From the unmarked trailhead, start hiking south. Follow the well-traveled trail sotheast for about 0.4 miles. As you approach the cave, you'll be able to see the giant cave entrance on your right. When the trail gets close to the cave entrance, it switches back and drops down a steep hillside. There is a fixed rope for people to use as a handline. The large entrance room is spectacular with ice columns and other features. Inside the cave, passageways are narrow and cold. Many tunnels are plugged with debris forced in from past floods. Much of the cave is spent crawling and winding over very tight passages. Further into the cave it opens up into a canyon that takes you all the way to the bathrub room and to dead air passage. Along the way, there are several side passages.  Dye Clan Trip Report

Gear: Helmet, headlamp, small flashlight, extra batteries, (3 sources of light) knee pads. Clothes you are ok to get dirty - Hiking pants or old jeans, synthetic t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, light waterproof jacket (optional), camelback or regular back pack, 2 Liters water, 3-4 snacks, brown bag lunch, first aid kit, hiking boots/running shoes, face mask for dust when entering cave, gloves (leather is best), change of clothes, baby wipes, $ for dinner in Vernal, $ for gas chip in, knee pads

Guide: Emily Hacken 801-860-4591

Base Commander: JD Hacken 801-793-1809