Bear Gulch Cave [Suggest Edits]

Description

The Bear Gulch Cave is home to a colony of Townsend's big-eared bats which are listed as a "sensitive species" by the state of California. This natural talus cave is where the bats raise their young in the late spring and summer and rest in winter. The colony in the Bear Gulch Cave is the largest maternity colony between San Francisco and Mexico.

The lower half of the Bear Gulch Cave is usually open from mid-July through mid-May each year, depending on the presence of the colony of bats. The entire cave is closed from mid-May to mid-July while the bats are raising their young. Be sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp which is required to enter the caves. The hike through the caves follows a well-marked trail with man-made stairs and the occasional handrail.

Short Run: The cave is a short hike from the upper parking lot of the Bear Gulch Day Use area. From the Bear Gulch Trail you can connect to the Moses Spring Trail and the Bear Gulch Cave Trail for a short hike to the cave.

Gem Type: Cave