Tea Kettle Cave

...Anyone that loves caves, should definitely make a visit to this one.

This had been on my radar for a while, so I was stoked to finally make the hike here! Getting here can be a little tricky, but it's not too bad if you know where you're going. If you're coming from the town of Gooding, head North on the 46, then make a left on E 1400 S. Take that road all the way to the end until it makes a curve right onto S 1550. Once you make that curve, you'll make a left on Dead Horse Cave Road. The road is drivable for most vehicles for about 3.3 miles, but once you get to a point where there's 3 forks in the road, I would park there, especially if you're not driving a 4x4 vehicle. Once you park there, there's actually an entrance to another cave called "dead horse cave". It only goes about 100 feet or so in, but it's still cool to explore. 

But once you park at that triple fork, you'll hike down the dirt road heading South. The hike will be 1.7 miles one way until you get to Tea Kettle Cave. The hike is super easy, mainly because you're hiking along the rocky dirt road with only about 200 feet elevation. When I hiked it, there was no one in site, and I got to the cave within 35-40 minutes. When you get to the cave, they'll be a cave entrance where you can scramble your way down into the base of the cave. Once you're in the cave, explore and have a good time! Please make sure to not step on or trample the green ferns that are growing in the center of the cave. The ferns have been here for thousands of years, so w/out anyone disturbing them, they'll grow back stronger and healthier than ever!

There isn't a whole lot to explore while in the cave, other than the fact of just being in there and looking up at the open ceiling, but it's still an adventure for sure. I enjoyed my time and the photos I got. I think me being the only person there made me enjoy my experience so much more. Once you're done, you'll scramble your way back up, like you did coming down, then head back on the trail. 

Just a side note...if you get there at a particular time, you can catch the light beam shoot through the center of the cave. I shot these photos around 9:30-10am, so I didn't get that opportunity to have that experience. I'd say if you're there anytime after 11:30am, you'll have the opportunity to see the light beam. Look up the cave's Google images to see what it looks like...I wish I was there for that!

But as always, pack out what you pack in, and always keep it better than you saw it. Live it up and never stop exploring!