We arrived at Clicks Cave 3 minutes late, at 9:03 AM. I went to find the owner. I learned that we weren't suppose to park on the blacktop drive and I should have called 2 - 3 weeks ahead of time to arrange entry to the cave. After talking to the landowner, we hiked to the cave entrance and changed. Sean unlocked the gate and we entered Clicks Cave. I tried to get a gate shot as Sean locked us in but was experiencing Firefly problems. A short climb down from the gate had led us down a gentle breakdown slope into large, walking stream passage. We started upstream hopping across breakdown boulders. Soon, we encountered a breakdown blockage and I explored ahead until I emerged back into borehole.
I stood atop a rock ledge overlooking a large passage. Below me, I saw a large pool. Ahead, flat breakdown rocks provided a floor above the stream. I left the focusing reflector flag on the ledge and descended, traversed around the pool, climbed up onto the breakdown, and hopped over the stream onto a large, flat slab awaiting Sean and Tom's arrival. When they emerged, they knew just what to do with the flag. I took a few pictures as we waited on Terry. Sean informed me that the breakdown crawl had led us downstream. Soon, Terry caught up and we continued further downstream passing back by the entrance and encountering some neat conglomerate natural bridges in an area where the passage spit into two levels.
We followed the old tourist route along a trail with evidence of old rebar railing and car axel bridges. The passage transformed into a canyon. We soon heard water rushing ahead and found a short waterfall that Sean played around in soaking himself while Terry caught up. I joked with Tom that a picture of someone in blue coveralls immersed in the water would look much better.
We continued down the canyon. Terry started to climb up high for some reason. We watched as he climbed above. Tom followed him and Sean and I waded down the decorated canyon bottom. Ahead, the water deepened. I could here Tom and Terry above. I maneuvered my upper body across the stream supporting myself on a mud bank. Then I pushed off with my feet transferring all my weight to my hand which gripped a solid, muddy stalagmite. I carefully ascended the slick mud slope, chimneyed along mid-canyon, and climbed into an upper level walking passage with abundant anastomosis. I explored the dry walking passage back to a scary canyon climb down noting the many black, historic signatures scattered across the ceiling. I thought to myself that all of those people had much neater handwriting than I.
I walked back to the climb-up where Tom, Sean, and Terry were traversing along a mud slope on the left wall high above the canyon floor. Sean said it'd be easier to get onto the right mud slope which I did. I traversed ahead in front of them and determined no one was likely to continue ahead since the slopes were way too exposed. I retreated to the climb-down where I carefully chimneyed down and along the canyon until I nearly reached the slope I'd climbed up. I descended the mud slope and clung to strong, dirty formations as I made my way back to where I'd crossed the stream. I prepared myself and leaped across to the opposing mud bank. I then waded out into the stream to watch the others descend and traverse the canyon. I soon went back to the mud bank and retrieved my camera. For the next 10 - 15 minutes, I photographed Sean, Terry, and Tom traversing back across the stream as I'd done. I was able to capture both Tom and Sean midway through their jump across the stream.
We retreated upstream and I photographed the others crawling along a thin mud ledge where I'd felt much like a raccoon when we entered. Further upstream, I photographed Sean paying in a cascade and Tom drenching himself and exploring the underside of the waterfall.
We routed back towards the entrance enjoying the intriguing passage profiles and pausing to snap a picture of Tom traversing the car axel and Sean posing next to a conglomerate natural bridge. Back at the entrance, I got a neat picture of the gate and entrance room as Sean posed after unlocking the gate. We exited, changed, and bid farewell to Terry back at the car. I left the keys on the statue next to the owners door and signed all of us out.
Clicks Cave
Tom and Sean sit above a large pool in Clicks borehole.
Clicks Cave
Tom poses above a small cascade in Clicks Cave.
Clicks Cave
Sean joined in on the fun.
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Clicks Cave
Sean and Tom pose near the cascade.
Clicks Cave
Tom crosses above the stream on an old car axel.
Clicks Cave
Sean poses in a rather decorated section of downstream Clicks.
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Clicks Cave
I got the focus right but the fish wasn't cooperating.
Clicks Cave
Sean and Terry carefully traverse the slick slope above the stream.
Clicks Cave
Sean leaps over the stream.
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Clicks Cave
Sean helps Terry down from the slick mud slope.
Tom follows Sean's lead while Terry watches attentively.
Clicks Cave
Sean helps Terry out of the water.
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Clicks Cave
Sean has some fun trying to ascend the slick bank.
Sean has almost pulled himself onto the bank.
Clicks Cave
Tom enjoys the toasty warm 50 degree water.
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Clicks Cave
Tom disappears into a small alcove behind the waterfall.
Tom re-emerges from the watery wetness beneath the cascade.
Clicks Cave
Boy does Tom look chilled.
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Clicks Cave
Tom crawls across car axels over the stream.
Seans poses beneath a neat conglomerate natural bridge.
Clicks Cave
Sean poses below the gated entrance to Clicks Cave.
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