Current Status
Good news! We have constructed a new
gate that will allow us to open approximately half of the
cave to the public through the winter while still protecting
the hibernating colony of Townsend's big-eared bats.
For the next two months, the hike to the
Bear Gulch Cave will not continue on to the Bear Gulch Reservoir.
After you explore the portion of the cave that is open and
you reach the new gate, you will then need to double back
and exit the same way you entered. We are working to build
a trail that continues from the new gate up to the reservoir,
and it should be completed by early 2005.
As long as the hibernating colony
of bats shows no signs of disturbance during the winter, we
plan to keep over half of the Bear Gulch Cave open from mid-July
through mid-May every year. During especially warm springs,
however, it's possible that the entire cave will be closed
before mid-May if the maternity colony is present.
The entire cave will continue to be
closed through late spring and early summer for pupping season.
The entire Bear Gulch Cave will also
be open twice a year for at least one week and up to four
weeks each March and October, depending on the presence of
the colony of bats.
Why is the Bear Gulch Cave Sometimes
Closed?
 The
Bear Gulch Cave is closed seasonally to protect the Townsend's
Big-eared Bat, a species of special concern in the state
of California. Our management plan allows the park to open
the cave when the bats are not using it for hibernation or
pupping. The entire cave will be open each March and October
for at least one week and up to four weeks, depending on the
presence of the bats. It will also be partially open from
mid-July to mid-March.
Are
there any other caves we can visit?
Yes, the Balconies Cave is closer
to the west side of the park. From the Chaparral parking area,
it is a two mile round trip loop to visit the Balconies Cave.
Like the Bear Gulch Cave, it is a talus cave made of jumbles
of boulders in a narrow stream canyon. Flashlights are required.
Related information:
Virtual
Tour of the Bear Gulch Cave at Cyberhikes
The Bats of Pinnacles
National Monument
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