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Sample Itinerary:
Carpooling - 6 am (3hr 45 min drive)
Trailhead - 10 am
Crystal Ball Cave - 10-12pm
Lunch - 12 pm
Lehman Cave Tour - 1-2 pm (NOTE TIME CHANGE - Nevada is an hour LATER)
Drive home - 3 - 7pm (dinner on the way)
Directions: Bates Family Ranch, Gandy, UT (LONG dirt road. 2WD. Watch speed limits.)
Lehman Caves, Great Basin NP, Nevada
Gandy Warm Springs, Utah (dirt road south west of ranch. 2WD but bumpy)
Cost: Crystal Ball Cave - $10-12 suggested donation
Lehman Cave - $12 Parachute Shield Tour (60 min); Gothic Palace Tour (30 min); Grand Palace Tour (90 min 5 yrs+); Lodge Room (60 min) (get tickets online 1 month in advance - up to 20 in a group). There is rumors of a NEW more wild tour coming 2025!
Activity:
Caving - Crystal Ball Cave - Guided tour through a BLM cave from local steward, Kiersten or Evan. 1 mile total. 0.25 mile steep uphill approach. Walk on dirt paths through cave with several spots you need to duck or kneel down to go through. One dusty section (asthmatics may want mask or handkerchief and inhaler). Mostly large caverns. Unique formations only found in this cave along with a prehistoric horse hoof and ankle! Need to bring your own light. Make reservations Kiersten 801-787-6675 Road Trip Ryan Trip Report.
Caving -Lehman Cave - Guided ranger tour to the Parachute Shield area. 1 hr long. 0.3 miles paved trail with some stairs. Many formations.
Warm Springs - great side trip if you do Lehman Caves first, then Crystal Ball Cave. Soak in a warm springs south west of the Bates Family Ranch. NOT warm enough for the winter. About 20x30 ft with small tunnel going under the karst waterfall about 30 ft back. Bring headlamp that can get wet - VERY sharp rocks on the sides. Beautiful blue water. Dirt road but driveable with a car.
Gear: headlamp or small flashlight (optional for Crystal Ball Cave), hiking pants, synthetic t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, 1 Liters water, 3-4 snacks, brown bag lunch, first aid kit, hiking boots/running shoes, swimming suit and towel (Gandy Warm Springs)
Crystal Ball Cave
Lehman Caves
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