hat creek subway cave

Had a great day with the family today. The kids got a little scared but we had for flashlights so is OK. Really dark in there. It was hard for us to find it first because the signs were wrapped up apparently it was close to the time we went.

We have visited this fun lave tube cave several times. Its in the Lassen National Forest. We have taken our flashlight to light up our way. Its fun however mid way however to turn it off and see how dark it is in the cave.The self guided trail is approximately 1/3rd mile long. Parking and walking through the cave is free.

Subway cave is a lava tube that is pretty close to the NW entrance of Lassen National Park although it is actually in the Lassen National Forest area rather than the National Park itself. There is no fee for this feature. It is located right off CA-89 just north of where CA-44 splits off toward the east at Old Station.The only thing here is a 3 table picnic area and the lava tube itself. The lava tube is a very short walk from the parking area and to get to it you have to go up a flight of stairs (about the same height as in a house) and then down another flight of stairs into the tunnel/cave/tube. The inside of a lava tube looks quite a bit like a man made tunnel (ergo the name “Subway Cave”). What happens is that lava from a volcano flows down a little valley where a stream probably had been. The lava flow would be a river of molten rock and could be quite deep, maybe 20 feet or more. As it flows (or oozes) down the valley the top surface cools and solidifies but the molten lava under this newly formed crust keeps flowing. If the eruption then ends, the lava literally just flows on out from under the top crust forming a lava tube or cave. At this point, many times small “stalactites” and “stalagmites” form where molten lava drips from the newly exposed ceiling.Lava tubes can be many miles long and can be of varying height and width. This one is pretty staid compared to others I’ve seen. It is about 1/3 of a mile long, the floor is pretty level and the ceiling is for the most part over 7 feet high. Of course near the sides of the cave the ceiling is lower and can be a head thumper if you’re not careful. Although the floor is level there are places where it has a rough surface that could twist an ankle if you’re not watching where you step. Part of being careful is to remember to bring a flashlight as without one it is pitch black in there. I mean you cannot see your hand in front of your face without a flashlight. If you don’t happen to have one, hang out a bit at the entrance and just follow a group in who have lights. Keep your eye on the floor so you don’t trip on some protruding rock and keep a sense of the ceiling height where you’re walking so you don’t hit your head. All along the way are little signs with info about what you’re seeing. You may find these interesting. Even if it’s in the 90’s or over 100 outside – as it can be in the summer and fall, the cave itself will be about 46 degrees inside. That’s chilly – especially if you’re dressed for the hot summer temps outside. As I said, the entrance is pretty close to the parking lot. But, as the tunnel is 1/3 mile long, the exit at the other end is, well, a 1/3 mile from the parking lot and you’ll need to walk back. The designated way is to go up the stairs at the end of the tunnel and then follow a trail on the surface back to the parking lot. However, if it’s really hot outside there’s nothing to prevent you from just turning around and walking back to the starting point inside the tunnel where it’s nice and cool. PHOTOGRAPHING the lava tube is somewhat challenging. At the entrance and exit you can shoot normally as you’re outside looking at the entrance/exit of the tunnel. However inside there is no light. If you use the flash on your camera you will have an over exposed area near you and further away the flash won’t have the power needed to illuminate the tunnel. In addition, the inside of a lava tube is not all that interesting in a photograph. However, if you have a handheld flashlight with a somewhat narrow beam you can try light painting. This takes either a tripod (or someone with a real steady hand) and someone else working the flashlight. Turn your camera’s flash off and use the flashlight to “paint” the walls with a pattern of light or use the flashlight (with a 2nd or 3rd person) to project your shadow on the wall. I tried this technique for the first time here on this trip as an experiment (a couple of photos attached). I used my hiking head lamp which conveniently can be set to either white or red light. I got some interesting shots, but it was more of a learning experience than a final product.

This is a fun thing to do with your family. Take flashlights and enjoy walking through an authentic lava tube. Not a very long walk but it is VERY dark and the ground is uneven in spots, so wearing sturdy shoes and bringing flashlights is a must. Important tip--if you are there on a hot day, it is wise to walk back and forth in the tube where it is nice and cool instead of exiting and walking up and over the tube in the hot sun back to the parking lot. Plus, people have been known to get turned around and wander for awhile, prolonging the agony. Bring a lunch and enjoy it in the picnic area across from the parking lot before or after you walk the tube.

Subway Cave is a large lava tube that you can enter. Bring a flashlight as it's very dark inside, and the floor of the lava tube is bumpy from protruding pumice rock. You enter from a staircase on one side of the tube and exit through another. It's across from Hat Creek, near a campground along that creek,and has a small parking lot and interpretive signs. There's been effort put into the stop since I was here in the 90's, with the addition of the interpretive guides along the way, and toilets at the entrance.

It's cool to able to say you walked through a lava tube. That said, it is a very short walk, and not a lot going on geologically speaking. You aren't going to see 'tites or 'mites, but again, kinda cool if you are in the area. Unfortunately, draws a different crowd than Lassen. A lot of sitting around the campground drinking and littering sort of people who don't really know proper behavior in some environments. Lots of screaming adults and children. At least that was our experience that day.

Kids really enjoy this. No matter how hot it is outside, it is COOL in the cave, and you may need a light jacket. A flashlight is a necessity, as without it you cannot see your hand in front of your face. Wear sturdy shoes too, as the ground is quite uneven. There are some stairs. No elevator.

I found this tour spot by accident on the web. THANK GOODNESS! What an awesome, natural place to visit, learn, and have some fun with the kiddies. Totally hidden but worth a visit! All signs point to "Yes" on this one!

that's definitely the hidden gem outside lassen on your way north. we didn't even know that this place exists and just saw the sign on the road and decided to come in... of course without flash lights.it's a 5 minutes walk inside the darkest cave i've ever been to, but then again we were using our cell phone light. it has some picnic tables outside so if someone doesn't want to come inside they can stay there since the trail goes in a loop you get back to the starting point. a sure stop but bring flash lights!

great family experiance lots of educational areas make sure you take a light jacket the caves are very cool a flashlight is needed as well

My husband and I enjoyed going through this cave, there are stairs at either end for easy access into and out of the cave. The floor is rough in many spots so wear sturdy shoes, I have had knee problems in the past but I got through the cave fine. Make sure you take bright flashlights as it is very dark inside. We will be recommending this cave to our friends if they go to this area. It is free and cool in the summer and you can't beat that!

Its all about nature. We went the Subway Cave in Old Station at 1st week of August, 2013. It is a great place to show and tell my kids about signs of volcanic activities and lava power. We went camping at Lassen NP. This Subway Cave is 15 minutes easy drive from Lassen NP. No entrance fee. Bring flashlights/headlamps. Total dark inside. Need a good pair of shoes, very rough and rocky ground. Nice and cool in the cave. A great break away from the hot sun outside. My kids loved it because they felt it like an advantage going thru a total dark tunnel. They felt so special using their headlamps. We went forth and back using the lava tube only because we liked to spend more time in this nature wonder. We were glad we made this stop.

This is a fascinating lava tube is right of Highway 89 and very near Highway 44. It is a 1/3 mile underground lava tube formed when the the outside of a lava flow hardened in the air an insulated the inside lava. The interior lava continued on its flow, eventually leaving the tube empty. The walls, ceilings, and floor of the tube are covered with neat textures and features that the lava flow left behind. Lavacicles hang from the ceiling, what were once molten bubbles have hardened, mid-bubble, into stone. The terrain is rough (part of the cave is called stubtoe hall) so shouldn't be attempted in flip flops. It is very dark, bring a flashlight or headlamp. It is also chilly in there. We were fine without a hoody in mid-July (we found the cool to be a great relief and walked back through the cave instead of using the above-ground shorter path) but I imagine most of the year, bundling is necessary. There are no rangers on site and there is no fee to visit the caves. There are bathrooms and running water.

This isn't one of those expensive tourist centered caves with light shows and all. (Been there, loved that too.) This is just a great place to stop and stretch during a long drive, with or without the family. It is nature, in a fairly natural setting, the way nature intended. On a summer's day it is a great break because it is always cool. I think it is a perfect place to unload the kids and let them see something new. It is dark and it is unsupervised most of the time. Well worth the time.

We made the detour to check out the subway cave after climbing Cinder Cone. Well worth the detour! Be sure to take that flashlight, and put on a sweatshirt, as the temperature drops as soon as you go underground.