The Bat Caves (Tectonic)

I visited the relatively little-known Bat Cave in 2023. Unfortunately, a rock cave-in at the end of the narrow entrance vestibule had blocked off the large rooms. It appeared that the cave-in was the result of a wind event that had toppled several huge trees immediately above the cave. Not long afterwards, I received a copy of a cave survey from 1989 which showed two smaller caves near the main cave. The few folks I know who knew about the main cave were unaware of these additional caves, so naturally I had to go up there and see if I could find them. Photos are not as sharp as my usual tunnel & cave images; I didn't carry my tripod up the mountain because I didn't really think I was going to find any spaces that I could enter.

I went by the entrance to Cave 1 for old times' sake...
Cave 2 - GSS 391

Entrance to Cave 2

Cave 2 has two chambers, one to the left, and another that drops down behind the boulder at the center of the image. Both chambers are low, and neither is very large.

View into the left chamber of Cave 2.

Ice stalagmite in Cave 2.

Further back into the left chamber.

This was as far as I went in the left chamber. I could have crawled a bit further but was getting pretty muddy from the snow melt seeping down from the cave ceiling and walls.

Right-hand chamber of Cave 2. It kept going beyond the yellow rock, but was too low and cramped for me!
Cave 3 - GSS 392

Entrance to Cave 3

I was barely able to fit down this hole, sliding feet-first on my back.

After the initial tight squeeze, Cave 3 opens up somewhat.

Continuing down Cave 3

Further along

A small side chamber.

Near the rear of the cave.

Looking down into a hole at the back of the cave.

End of the line for Cave 3.

Heading back toward the entrance...

Almost back!

Heading back, I came across some big tulip poplars.

This one measured 164 inches circumference (52 inches dbh).

Bat Caves Index	NW Towns - NE Union Index
N GA - NC - SC Index	"Other Historical" Index