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Hopkins Chocolate Cave Entrance - Lava Beds National Monument - Tulelake, California



Sitting in the heart of the Klamath Valley of Oregon and northern California, Lava Beds National Monument is home to over 28 miles of lava tube caves formed 30,000 years ago during a period of violent volcanic activity. ?Located by the Visitor Center, Cave Loop Drive allows park guests to explore approximately two-dozen caves of various lengths and difficulty at will.

Hopkins Chocolate Cave is about 1/4 mile long and requires some crawling to get around. ?Discovered by E. L. Hopkins in 1892, he named the cave Chocolate because of the light brown coating of minerals of the roof and wall. ?Much of this coating has disappeared due to human activity within the cave, but the name remains, as does E. L. Hopkins' name, which he carved into the wall of the cave back in 1892 (and it is still there today).

At the entrance of Hopkins Chocolate, the lava tube traveled close to the surface and through time, weather and weight, collapsed, creating a natural bridge over a grotto. ?This image was taken standing in the entrance of Hopkins Chocolate, looking in the opposite direction. ?The picture clearly shows lavacicles - they are the jagged edges hanging down from the top of the grotto. ?Also called shark tooth stalactites, they are formed when the lava recedes in the tube, and the sticky lava slowly drips down and hardens.

If you're interested in caving you should visit Lava Beds National Monument. ?When caving is done without a tour guide or the benefit of overhead lighting, it becomes a completely different experience that will leave you breathless. ?Even when the desert above is blistering hot, cave weather underground at Lava Beds is from 32 to 55 degrees, depending on the cave and the depth.

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