Derrick
Cave is a large lava tube, located in south-central Oregon. The cave is
best accessed from the north. Original access was described as part of the BLM’s
Back Country Byway. However, this route requires crossing private land. The current
landowners appear to have had enough bad experiences with people not
understanding how to drive on rocky, gravel roads. Signs posted at the start of
their property warn that there is no longer access to Derrick Cave from the
south. A good forest service map of the Newberry
National Monument will lead you to the cave.
Derrick Cave is unique in both its size (30-foot diameter)
and use as a nuclear fall-out shelter during the Cold War. At one time, the
cave was outfitted to provide food and water for approximately 1,200 people.
Our visit to Derrick Cave was the first ‘caving’ experience
for me and my son. It was a great way to start our caving adventures. The cave
is big enough that we were able to stand throughout. The hiking involved a bit
of scrabbling across boulders. The biggest adjustment was hiking in the dark.
We had some fun with periodically turning all of our lights off.
We brought a few head lamps, flashlights and our usual first
aid kit and water. We spent about an hour hiking into and out of the cave.
Because it was spring, the outside temperature was not much different from the interior
of the cave. However, in the summer, the temperature difference would be large.
There are ice formations in the cave. There was also quite a bit of dust. The
surfaces of the rocks are abrasive – so long sleeves, gloves and good shoes
(i.e. not flip-flops) are a good idea. I walked out with torn gloves, but my
running shoes were fine.
