Exploring Bowden Cave (near Elkins WV - October 14 1998)

[BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

at first i was amazed that in this day & age something like that was just there, open to the public for exploring or whatever, then i read some of the comments...i should have known....

[bullfrog1954]

@BaltimoreAndOhioRR Actually there are also many caves here in MD that one can explore as well! Many along the C&O Canal-a nice one is about a mile east of Dam #4. A couple weeks back there was someone who got stuck in Schetromph Cave off US 40 in Wilson MD. I've explored that one too-one WILL get stuck if not careful-in a passage known as the corkscrew! I survived it (photo of Schetromph Cave in my #100).

[summerfield412]

Thats about as far as you want to go in that one if your not experienced, it gets crazy

[bullfrog1954]

@summerfield412 I have thought of returning one day-if gas prices ever drop! But I have been in caves tighter than this one-done my share of crawling! I'll eventually post a slide show. Thanx 4 watching!

[eastwarrior77]

This is called Bowden Cave. It was partially closed in early 2000's due to a collapse at the end of the watercourse. You used to be able to go in where you did, walk up the watercourse, and crawl through a maze like section and come out up the mountain a few thousand feet. There are many entrances to this cave up the creek that flow just down the road from the main entrance.

I think right now the cave is under a quarantine for a disease that is hitting the bats. One of my favorite places in WV.

[bullfrog1954]

@eastwarrior77 I heard of the closing back then but heard there was another reason for its closing I can't remember. But then later I heard it reopened again! I've explored that general area and found what appear to be plugged fissure entrances (there's one just to the west of here) and always wondered how to get in! Never encountered any bats, though. One of my all-time fave WV spots too-thanx 4 watching!

[1000devious]

Neat video. I grew up in Alpena about five minutes from there. We used to pick up the mail in Bowden. The post office was a single wide trailer back then. :)

[bullfrog1954]

@1000devious That's cool! I've passed through Alpena on US 33-both east & west-more times than I can count!! Great drive to Seneca Rocks, as the rocks appear from afar.

Wouldn't mind exploring more of this cave-if ever I can get myself out there again! Thanx 4 viewing!

[monicapw1]

1998. hmmmmm, interesting. i stopped there today on my back from the trans allegheney lunatic asylum. seemed like it was man made. seeing how small it was from 1998 i think someone that owns this property is expanding it. saw a no tresapassing sign. maybe they're in it for the money tourists that stop to check it out. like me

[bullfrog1954]

@monicapw1 It seems man made but it's actually man-altered. A book on WV caves says dirt was piled in the cave (or slumped into it) from the construction of original US 33 in the 1930s. Somebody probably does own it but on my visits I saw no signs prohibiting entrance. I know it was closed for a while in the early 2000s but heard it reopened. Making money on a WILD cave? Maybe!

[thewvnetwork]

We must have led a parallel life...I've ALSO been inside that cave!

[bullfrog1954]

@thewvnetwork Either that-or you been following me around! Just kidding-it's all good!! By the way, how far in did you go?

[thewvnetwork]

@bullfrog1954 The "official" name for this one is Sharps Cave, right? I went in with a group of Boy Scouts about a decade ago. I went all the way in to the point that water was up to my knees and I had to bend completely double to get through. I actually only went about 3/4 as far as the rest of them, because I'm afraid of heights and they were scaling a particularly steep section, that I just couldn't do. But yeah, I went a good ways in there...wading in the water was kinda creepy actually.

[bullfrog1954]

@thewvnetwork Actually I'm pretty sure this one really is called Bowden-I've seen caving websites describe it to a tee-right down to its location on old 33. But, fear not-there really is a Sharps Cave, and a book on WV caves lists it as being right behind Dave Sharp's Store in Slatyfork! I've read reports of cave explorers who went into Sharp's but haven't looked for it myself. I forgot to ask about it while at Sharp's myself!

[ColdSideOfPillow136]

that looks awesome. Im alot younger than 40 and I would NEVER go in there! I'd be scared as hell.

[bullfrog1954]

@ColdSideOfPillow136 Really, it's GREAT! Maybe a little paranoid first entering, but then you begin getting into it, you forget your paranoia, and you're hooked! Plus you're never alone-you ALWAYS go with someone! Thanx 4 watching!