DESCRIPTION:
Free guided tours are offered during summer months to see and experience
this magnificent cave. The cave site includes bathrooms, a picnic
site, a dock for boaters or float plane arrivals, and a guide station
where tour participants receive safety gear and begin their tour.
LOCATION:
The cave site may be reached by vehicle, boat, or plane. By road, watch
for signs to El Capitan Cave and follow Forest Road 20 to Forest Road
15 and take a left; follow this for a about a mile to the cave parking
area. From Thorne Bay, it's an estimated three-hour drive. There is
a Forest Service dock for use by boats and planes, but boats
and/or planes cannot be left unattended.
CAVE ACCESS:
The entrance is accessed by a somewhat strenuous 1,100-foot hike up a
steep 367-step stairway to an elevation of 250 feet and a platform
at the mouth of the cave. About 200 feet inside the cave a steel gate
(with bat access) has been installed to prevent vandalism and inadvertent
damage to cave features. Guided cave tours beyond the gate are available
in summer months by reservation (contact Thorne Bay Ranger District
907-828-3304).
• Make reservations at lease two days
in advance
• Tour groups are limited in size to
six people
• No babies in packs or carriers are
allowed, nor children under seven years of age
PRECAUTIONS:
• There are no trails or lighting in the cave.
Hazards include low ceilings, pits, and slippery, uneven
ground.
• Cave temperature stays a constant chilly
40 degrees
• Wet and muddy conditions are the norm
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SPECIAL
FEATURES:
From the standpoint of geology and prehistoric interest, the most compelling
cave on Prince of Wales island is El Capitan. With more than 13,000 feet
of passageways, it is the largest known cave in Alaska and is one of
the longest mapped caves in the Americas.
Recent archeological discoveries in El Cap Cave, as the cave
is called locally, have stimulated tremendous scientific
interest. According to Jim Baichtal, Forest Geologist,
in the early 1990s, black bear skeletons were excavated
in a newly discovered passage and found to be almost 12,300
years old. These findings suggest that the El Capitan valley
was ice-free by at least 12,300 years ago. It was previously
believed that ice covered the land to the continent's margin
with only peaks higher than 3,000 feet exposed. Discoveries
in the caves have spawned subsequent extensive research
into the prehistory and paleoecology of southern Southeast
Alaska.
WHAT TO BRING:
• At least one flashlight per person
• Extra batteries
• Sturdy footwear
• Warm clothing and raingear
• Hard hats are required and are provided at
the site by the Forest Service
Practice Leave No Trace
• Plan Ahead and Prepare
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
• Dispose of Waste Properly
• Leave What You Find
• Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Respect Wildlife
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors
SAFETY TIPS:
• Discharging firearms is prohibited within 150 yards of buildings,
campsites, developed recreation sites, or occupied areas
• Fireworks or other explosives are prohibited
• Use only fire rings provided by the Forest
Service
• Be respectful of others and keep your
pets under control
• Do NOT feed or approach bears!
• Water for consumption should be treated
or boiled
• Rubber boots, rain gear and insect repellent
are recommended
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