On our drive to the bottom of King’s Canyon, we stumbled upon a turn out marked “Boyden Cavern”. We wanted a little leg stretch so we took the exit and noticed a sign reading “tours”. Unbeknownst to us, guided tours were being offered every half hour for $15/adult and $10/kids over age 5. We were just in time to purchase tickets for the next tour with just 15 minutes to wait!
After a pretty steep and short walk to the entrance, we were delighted by a fantastic tour with Jeff. Great tour guides are such a treat, and he was one of the best I’ve ever seen!
The cavern was full of fascinating stalactites (hang tight to the ceiling) and stalagmites (might someday reach the top to make a column). Stalactites are formed when water drops from the cave ceiling leave behind mineral deposits of calcite. Like water droplets freezing to form icicles. Stalagmites are formed on the cave floor underneath stalactites when the water drops down and leaves another deposit of calcite.
The tour was halfway on a paved path and well lit the entire way. Midway, Jeff stopped us to turn out all the light so we could experience how dark it was. Pitch black. I’ve never experienced pitch black before. It was really an interesting sensation.
The walk through the cavern took about 45-60 minutes and was just 750 feet to the end and then 750 back out again. When we turned around to head back out we had the option of going back the same way we had come, or going on the “adventure route“. The adventure route was the dry creek bed beneath the paved sidewalk. Jeff explained that sometimes you can’t take the adventure route because sometimes it is a wet creek with water flowing through it. Needless to say, we took that way!
going under the pathway 
being brave 
always silly 
fearless
Cave Personality Quiz (leave your answer in the comments below)
If you were a cave feature what feature would you be?
- The entrance sign
- A stalactite
- A stalagmite
- A hidden passage
- A bat
- A drop of water
- A flashlight
heavens to betty 
Great post! Good for you all for taking the adventure route! Here in Missouri, we have lots of caves. I am always amazed at the beauty anytime we take a tour. I’ve never thought about what cave feature I would be. Maybe a stalagmite? Something that is interesting (at least to me – I have lots of “interests”) and grows – even if slowly. What about you?
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Love it!
A stalagmite grows slowly upwards as many people do by seeking new life experiences! From what I know of your personality that seems right on!
Me? Hmmm? I just make the quizzes sometimes because they remind me of the fun magazine quizzes I enjoyed with my sister and friends as a teenager! If I have to choose just one, I’d be a stalactite, holding on to a greater power up above. 😊
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Oh, I like that, too!!!
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Hmm, I’d like to think I’d be a hidden passage…or a flashlight helping to show others the way 🙂
Looks like a lovely cave! I always enjoy the lights off phenomenon…but just for a minute then I’m glad to turn them back on 🙂
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That’s great! A flashlight 🔦 to show others the way! You’re a natural born leader! 😊
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the pictures are great, I think I’ll be a drop of water
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I think I’ll be a drop of water.
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Fantastic! Why did you choose “a drop of water”?
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umm…not noticed much but vital in creating something necessary.
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