Vacations Blog

During a recent family getaway at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, near Butte, Montana, we discovered an unexpected surprise about an hour east of the resort on I-90.

Lewis & Clark Caverns, Montana’s first state park, and one of the largest limestone caverns in the Northwest, is a fun and memorable family-friendly trip through some truly spectacular caves.

The facilities are first-rate, with easy access to the trailhead, a large visitor’s center, restrooms, cafeteria, and gift shop. Guided tours, at $5 per person, begin about every twenty minutes. We were lucky to get an awesome guide named Jacob, who would’ve been right at home on Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise with his quick wit and confident manner. My son still laughs uncontrollably at the joke about Romeo, Juliet, and a wheelchair. Don’t ask, you’ll have to take the tour.

I have to confess that the 3/4-mile uphill hike to the entrance of the caverns nearly did us all in. Even the kids were huffing and puffing up that trail. But at least we beat the middle-aged smoking couple from Arizona! Jacob waited patiently for everyone to arrive before going over a few rules. Once inside, the 90-minute walk/climb/stoop was relatively easy for everyone. The constant 50-degree temperature definitely helped.

You might not want to tour these caverns if you’re claustrophobic. There were three or four extremely tight spots where I had to twist myself into odd shapes to pass through. At one point you have to sit down and slide about ten feet to get to the next chamber. The kids loved watching me awkwardly squat and shuffle on my bottom (good thing I had the camera). The caverns are well lit, and they are in the process of switching to a new LED light system that will improve the visual impact of the limestone formations. The trail is extremely safe, with concrete platforms and steps, and steel handrails, all courtesy of the CCC.

I think I may finally know the difference between stalactites, which hang from the ceiling, and stalagmites, which are built up from the floor. There are thousands of them, in every kind of strange configuration, spread throughout the caverns.

It was more than a pleasant surprise to discover the Lewis & Clark Caverns. The kids loved twisting and turning through the caverns, not knowing what was coming next.  Next time you’re in Butte, or just passing through Montana, watch for the turn-off to the Caverns on Hwy 2, just off I-90.  It’s on the way to the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, and the Caverns are a popular side trip.

I have a fear of small confined spaces. When in this kind of situation my heart starts to race and I am filled with a deep primal panic that dismisses all rational thought. So, why I ever decided to go caving in Yosemite recently is a mystery. I often commit to daring or unique adventures before considering what it is I am actually involving myself in. I owe this tendency to the fact that I am an “experience junky”. I love to try new things, to see the world from a new perspective, to get outside my comfort zone. It makes life interesting…and usually makes for a great story too!

So, last weekend my husband and I accompanied a co-worker (and avid caver) to the Stanislaus National Forest located on Yosemite’s doorstep. The objective of the weekend was to find remote areas with promising topography (in which caves were likely to be found) and bush-wack off trail in search of these “said” caves. Then, upon discovery, crawl inside and explore or start digging if the opening is too small. I came prepared with my headlamp, bug repellent, some old clothes, and tons of enthusiasm.

It was a lot of fun. But, I did learn a thing or two that I feel I should pass on to all you adventurous travelers out there. If you are thinking of going on a wild caving expedition in the near future, here are some tips: Read More »