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

Another passion of mine besides trains-cave exploration! Here, we check out Bowden Cave, a few miles east of Elkins, West Virginia.

This really isn't a thorough exploration, as most of my cave explorations usually are, but just a trip to the stream passage located on a lower level of the cave (challenging enough!). We on occasion make short explorations such as this to see what we're up against should we decide to return and explore more thoroughly after all.

My first 8mm camcorder had no built-in light, making it necessary to use our bike headlights as cave lights! I tried to maintain as much detail as possible under these circumstances.

So come on in with us!! We're over 40, and we did it!!

Actually, we stopped here while taking the "scenic route" home from Cass!

Note: This cave was closed in the early 2000s (reason unknown) but I believe it's been reopened since. Use caution, and know what you're getting into! And, please, take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill nothing but time!

From an 8mm video. Mastered here in 720p for best upload results with my software.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• West Virginia
• Elkins WV
• caves
• Bowden Cave WV
• caving
• cave exploring
• stream passage
• spelunking
• US 33

[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!

[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!

[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]

@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!

[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.