Atv 56

Ride 125 ATV Adventure Page 56

Punkin Center East (tour) "The Cave" Part 2 of 2, 1/8/2010

As luck would have it, a fellow rider contacted me. We have been trying to hook up for a ride for over a year but our schedules never seemed to match. This time it was perfect timing, our guest rider “Newt” was able to make it. I don’t believe he was ever in this area before so it was a treat and the cave will be a double treat. It’s the same scenery going up to the cave as the last ride but the mud was firm and not sticky at all. GREAT !

Before we entered the cave we did some quick checking of maps and equipment and also cable locked the ATVs together. This cave is so big the pictures just didn’t come out. The 2 pictures below are the result of finding some more confined spaces, leaving the camera lens open for 15 seconds, and painting the walls with light from all the flashlights for the full 15 seconds. If you didn’t understand this don’t worry about it. Just remember this cave is huge, and you can’t take too much light. We had the high power lights that take the giant 6 Volt lantern batteries and that wasn’t enough. Also take extra batteries ! We were in for a very long time and high power lights can suck batteries dry. This was an exciting experience, some danger but worth the risk.

Near the entrance were signs of ancient fires on the ceiling. Stone walls were mudded together at short intervals’ with some flat stone work done to the floor.

The trail from the cave to Dupont cabin was a beauty . Virtually the perfect trail , not passable with a car but not dangerous for ATVs. SWEET !

This was Newt and Glenn’s 1st visit to Dupont Cabin and it sure was better than going back the other way again.

This alternate return route had great scenery. I just couldn’t decide what to photograph next!

Here is a movie we took in the cave. This is best viewed in HD, full screen, and shut your room lights off. The darker the room is the better. Enjoy !

For 2010 I will try and include more movies with the rides.