Friday, August 9, 2013

Colossal Cave Mountain Park August 4, 2013

                             Entrance to cave

Location: Colossal Cave Mountain is located east of Tucson near Vail, Arizona. Take I-10 east from Tucson to Exit 279 (Vail/ Wentworth Exit). Follow signs north through Vail, Arizona, to Colossal Cave.

Fee Rates: To enter the park it cost $5 per car. The basic cave tour is $13 per adult and $6.50 for kids 5-12 years of age. Special tours are extra. For example the Ladder Tour is $25 per person.

Activities: The main activity for visitors at the park is to take a tour of the cave. The main tour is 45 to 50 minutes long. Docents give visitors history of the park as well as point out cave features. Viewable features include columns, stalactites, stalagmites, and cave popcorn. The most impressive room on the cave tour is the Drapery Room.A more adventurous visitor can make a reservation on the Ladder Tour or Wild Cave Tour. These tours vary in length and difficulty depending on your skill level in the cave. The park provides hard hats and lights for the longer tours.

Birding: The park is home to over 100 species of birds including the state bird the Cactus wren.

Camping: Camping is available at La Selvilla. The campground does not have hookups for RVs.

La Posta Quemada Ranch: At the ranch visitors can take a trail ride along the Arizona Trail which goes north and south. Museums include the Civilian Conservation Corp Museum and the ranch house. (Information from www.colossal cave.com).  

                                     With Quintin waiting for tour

                                          Inside cave

                                   Two columns in one shot

                                 Desert wildflower

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