Dan Clyde Cave

Michael Mimbach and Spencer Coles at the entrance to Dan Clyde Cave. Michael was kind enough to be our guide for this trip and show us the ins' and outs' of the canyon. It is a very interesting and beautiful place with a lot of potential for some more big caves.

Spencer down climbing the entrance pit.

Looking up from the bottom of the entrance pit.

Michael on rope starting the 60' descent into the pit. This is the largest drop in the cave and quite a spacious room.

You can see how much water has been coming down this pit.


From a ledge midway down the largest pit Shane took this great shot. It is difficult to see how large this cavern is in these photos, but it is an impressive one. Even more impressive are the log jambs right up near the ceiling, indicating that this pit fills completely with water in heavy run off years. The small white dot (bottom middle) is Spencer's headlamp at the bottom of the pit.

Michael dropping the last 15' into the big pit.

Michael looking into a muddy lower passage. In the bottom of the big room there are 4 small leads that will take you into some of the tighter passages of the cave.

Spencer attempting to climb a lead into an upper passage.

On the floor of the big room is this interesting feature. The dripping water is eroding away the sand that is not protected by small pieces of wood.

Spencer exploring one of the tighter slots at the bottom of the pit.

Looking up from the bottom of the large pit. Spencer on rope, ascending out of the big room.

Looking up from the bottom of the large room. Spencer on rope, ascending out of the big room.

The road is best traveled by four wheeler (or Polaris Ranger) as it is very narrow and quite rough. We made it just fine (but much slower) in the 4Runner adding only a few more scratches to the many it already has.

We really had a great day! Thanks again Michael!

Chert Valley Cave

Chert Valley is located near the bottom of this sink at the base of a small cliff. The stream from the canyon flows into the cave system during the spring and brings sticks, logs and soil into the cave clogging its passages and at times opening up new ones.

While the cave only extended down into the mountain a good 50' or so until it was plugged with silt, next years run off could push through the plug and turn this cave into one of Utah's most extensive cave systems.

Lost Josephine Cave

This is a natural cave that has been mined for several years. It is not very exciting unless you know which turn to take, and most who visit here never see the beautiful formations within. There are still active mining operations underway, and visits there are prohibited. We are currently working with the owners of the claim to survey the tunnels, as well as develop a management plan so that the cave can be visited when mining operations are inactive.
There are three entrances in this photo, with several others around the hill.

Every tunnel is wet and covered in red clay. Don't expect to get your clothes clean after exploring this one.

The only graffiti are some old charcoal dates and names.

This is just inside the main entrance.

There are several mined tunnels that shoot of in every direction. This lower one is typically filled with water until late in the year.

You can actually see the crystals forming in the bead of water.

Many places look like you have been swallowed and are in the belly of a beast.

Unfortunately there has been some damage throughout the cave. There are so many formations it is difficult to maneuver around them.