Near Bear Valley lies Ebbetts Pass, which has one of the best known caverns, Mercer Caverns. It is located 1 mi/1.6 km north of Murphys, on Sheep Ranch Road. The cave was originally used by the Indians as mortuary cave, but later was abandoned and its entrance was covered with debris, until pioneers discovered it in 1885.
Inside there are crystal formations, such as Angel Wings and susceptible compositions of aragonite, along with stalagmites, stalactites and also a labyrinth of underground, that visitors drawn for centuries. The tours in the cave include Fairies Grotto, Oregon Loft and Gothic Chamber. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and is a quarter of a mile long. You won’t cover all the distance at once.
There are several stops, where the guide will explain the history and geology of the cave and give you time to take some pictures. There are no tripods or video cameras allowed. The tour has totally 440 steps, 208 down into the cavern and 232 up out of the caverns.
You should be careful on some of the steps, because they are steep and narrow. The tour is moderately strenuous, mainly on the way out, but there is no crawling. The main temperature is constantly at 55 ºF/12.8 ºC with 90% humidity.
Maykop is a city situated on the right bank of Belaya River, which is a tributary of the Kuban. It is the capital city of the Republic of Adygeya in Russia.
Trentino Region, in northern Italy, is a well known zone amongst the passionate fans of caving. The particular geological formation of the Dolomites Mountains and the continuous pass of floating water and steams have shaped the underground format of the area.
Bear Valley is a ski area located near Angels Camp, on highway 4, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, approximately 3 hours southeast of Sacramento, California, USA.
Seneca Caverns is located in the Germany Valley, Pendleton County, West Virginia. It is the most prolific area for caves in the entire United States. In order to satisfy their curiosity, many people visit this site every year.
Gauteng is the smallest province in South Africa yet its economic power house. It is located in the heart of South Africa's Highveld Region and is highly urbanized and densely populated. Gauteng offers to its visitors an option to explore the hustle and bustle of its urban life or the natural attractions outside its main cities, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Mammoth Cave National Park is a U.S National Park, located in central Kentucky. The park covers an area of 52830 ac / 213.80 km², located in Edmonson County, Kentucky with small areas in Hart County and Barren County. Mammoth Cave National Park encompasses portions of Mammoth Cave that is the longest cave system known in the world.
Mammoth Lakes is located near Mammoth Mountain, in California’s eastern Sierra about 100 mi/161 km south of Nevada State Line, 9 mi/14.5 km northwest of Mount Morrison, at an elevation of 7880 ft/2402 m, Mono County, California, USA.
Donner Ski Ranch is a resort located on Donner Summit in the Tahoe National Forest, Nevada County, California, USA. The area has been used for skiing since 1939.
Heavenly Mountain Resort is located near the city of South Lake Tahoe, on the California-Nevada border, El Dorado County, California, USA.
Sonora Pass is located near Pinecrest, Tuolumne County, California, USA. It is off of Highway about 60 mi/96.5 km east of Sonora.
Mammoth Lakes is located near Mammoth Mountain, in California’s eastern Sierra about 100 mi/161 km south of Nevada State Line, 9 mi/14.5 km northwest of Mount Morrison, at an elevation of 7880 ft/2402 m, Mono County, California, USA.
Mount Shasta is located in northern California, east of Interstate 5 along SR89, between Mount Shasta city and McCloud city, California, USA.
Mount Shasta is located in northern California, east of Interstate 5 along SR89, between Mount Shasta city and McCloud city, California, USA.
Bear Valley is a ski area located near Angels Camp, on highway 4, between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, approximately 3 hours southeast of Sacramento, California, USA.
