Toquima Cave

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

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A sign pointing down a long dirt road had the word "cave" on it, so I turned down it. Another historical marker beside it elaborated that the cave up ahead was small, but would contain pictographs and was located "East of the summit, north of the highway," whatever exactly that might mean. FS-001 probably is not considered a highway by many, but the long, straight, flat section across the Big Smoky Valley does allow some pretty fast speeds on the dirt. The roads marked "hot springs" on the way were tempting, but I managed to keep to the road for the cave. There were no other indications of it, but when I got to the summit, there was a handy campground on the north side. That was certainly handy just when I needed one, so I turned in. A short way in is a little "trail" sign and a big information sign for Toquima Cave. The trail drifts off east and north from the summit, just as indicated on the sign below.

Not much to see from the trail as the pinon pines and others grow thick and tall.

The trail is easy to follow through the trees, even in some late hour and overcast murk.

The trail is advertised as only a quarter mile long. It is ever so slightly longer, but pretty flat right up to the last few hundred feet. A rock outcrop emerges from the trees and then there are some nice steps to climb up around some of the rock.

Just a little bit of rock outcrop seen through the trees.

Not really needed, but there are some steps to help with the slope.

Around the rock, the steps get steeper as the well protected cave comes into view. It is not surprising with a publicized cave.

Strictly forbidding entry.

But not forbidding the looking.

I almost miss the last set of steps up since people have laid down some heavy trails while exploring around the rocks. They are probably looking for more that they can get closer to. I choose to just take in what is offered. I have been closer to such things before anyway.

One very complicated area on the west side.

Simpler, but it looks like there are some older, faded pieces nearby.

A map of the world, or perhaps just how the artist was feeling in the moment.

After looking a bit, it is time to head the short way back and get camp together. This time I can notice that there actually are a few spots to look out over the mountains to the south and east.

There is snow on the ones to the south or the next range to the east.

But the nearby mountains are low and round and covered in green things of the pinon pine and juniper variety.

And a little showing of spring.

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In the morning, I did go ahead and check out the hot spring area on the way back. There are a few big, deep pools around the area. Particularly hot spots are boxed away in tough cages that it is even hard to see into. The water in the one pool I felt in the cold morning air seemed a little warm for my liking, which probably puts it in a very popular temperature range. There are plenty of users (to the point of being very nearly crowded) and the water is, well, a little oily. Rather typical of easy to reach hot springs.

The main pool about 2 minutes before the first campers emerged for more hot water soaking. The Toiyabe Range is in the background. There are at least two other pools.

©2017 Valerie Norton
Posted 26 May 2017