From Little Wildcat, we traveled down the ravine and contoured along the base of the ridge. I hadn’t planned on visiting Wildcat Cave but it was on the way. I was momentarily confused when we reached an in-feeding ravine which I quickly observed to be the valley floor. I soon realized my mistake and we followed the ravine and hiked along the true valley floor until I spotted a tall bluff slightly higher on the ridge. I expected the entrance to Little Wildcat to be impressive and the bluff intrigued me. I climbed up to it and found twin sink holes. I saw no noticeable cave entrance but descended to investigate. Sure enough, there was a small hole in the rocks that currently blew air. We soon descended the small hole which quickly opened into a rectangular room which sloped ahead. We continued our descent through an opening at the far right passing a stooping alcove to the left. Blackness became more apparent as I descended the slope. I soon found myself in a large sloping breakdown room; impressive. A small colony of possibly big brown bats clung to the ceiling and walls. After investigating the room, we descended through a hole at the bottom of the slope and found water. The passage was probably 20’ wide and 8 feet tall. A stream disappeared into breakdown to our right. 80’ ahead the passage ended in mud fill. Water rose from a potentially divable void below.
I took some pictures of Joe and Justin ascending the breakdown slope near the large drapery as we exited. I continued ahead and prepared above the entrance for their emergence. They took longer than expected but soon Joe’s head popped up the small entrance hole. Justin mentioned he’d seen some cave salamanders and I quickly re-entered the cave. I’ve wanted a good cave salamander closes-up since I got my new camera. I thought he’d meant that they were near the entrance but didn’t see them. They ended up being further down the slope. After 24 pictures, I re-emerged into the sunshine. What a gorgeous day! It was likely in the upper 60s.
Midway to Breathing Hole, my GPS changed it’s mind and determined the cave was the other way. I disagreed and continued ahead. We were soon standing atop the ridge the cave was located in. I was expecting to see something I recognized and got the topo out to see how close we should be. Once again, another 10 steps ahead and I saw an enormous sinkhole funneling to one hell of a gate. Now that I’d located BB Hole, I quickly zeroed in on Breathing Hole. To Breathing Hole
Wildcat Cave
Joe and Justin are dwarfed by the limestone bluff as the prepare to enter Wildcat Cave.
Joe descends the breakdown slope into the larger room within Wildcat Cave.
Wildcat Cave
Joe and Justin both continue down the slope into the large room.
Wildcat Cave
A small cluster of bats. These were larger bats so I thought they might be big brown bats.
A small group of bats cling to the wall in Wildcat Cave.
Wildcat Cave
Joe watches as Justin disappears through a small hole at the base of the slope.
Wildcat Cave
Just as I found the framing I wanted, Joe disappears through the small hole as well.
Joe stands next to a large drapery in Wildcat Cave.
Wildcat Cave
Joe emerges into the mid afternoon sun from Wildcat Cave.
Wildcat Cave
Justin has spotted some Cave Salamanders so I went back in to get some closeups.
I've wanted to get some Cave Salamander closeups for as long as I've owned my new camera.
Wildcat Cave
The cave salamander clings to the walls in a small alcove wondering what I'm doing.
Wildcat Cave
The other cave salamander slowly climbs away from his friend up the wall.
I was careful to snap the pictures when the salamander stopped moving.
Wildcat Cave
The salamander makes a run for it.
Wildcat Cave
I think this Salamander is a spy. He's a sly guy!