| The Blue Ridge Cave Trail offers a variety of points of interest in a relatively short distance. From the trailhead on Porter Mountain Road (Forest Road 45), visitors can experience a riparian environment along Porter Creek and Scott Reservoir before climbing to higher elevations.Wildflowers along the trail include sego lily, fleabane daisy, groundsel, yellow salsify, stinging nettle, Indian paintbrush, purple bush penstemon, and rocky mountain iris. Trees along the trail include ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, alligator juniper, Utah juniper, and rocky mountain juniper. Some other interesting plants in the area are wild parsley, prickly pear cactus, penny cress, pussy toes, wild grape, golden pea and several interesting water plants. Nature observers will find several species of birds and an occasional deer or elk.Parts of the trail are quite rough due to the volcanic origin of the rocks and soil. Just beyond the mid-point of the trail is the Blue Ridge Cave, a lava tube that was probably discovered by sheepherders prior to 1910. The first trail to the cave was marked by a group of local Boy Scouts around 1920, and it has been visited regularly since that time. It is also know as the "ice cave", probably because of the constant flow of cool air (around 52F) leaving the cave. It is probable that the entrance to the cave, which is simply a hole in level ground, was created by a cave-in. |
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| | | Facilities: There are no facilities provided on the Blue Ridge Cave Trail. Best Time To Visit: Early spring through late winter is the best time to hike Blue Ridge Cave Trail. Fees: There are no fees associated with this trail. Accessibility: This trail is not handicap accessible. Rules: Unknown Directions: To reach Blue Ridge Cave Trail from Show Low, take state Hwy 260 towards McNary. From McNary turn left onto Porter Mountain Road (Forest Road 45). Drive 1 mile to the trailhead on the right, immediately before Forest Road 45 crosses Porter Creek. Map: Click here for a map to Blue Ridge Cave Trail Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted to use Blue Ridge Cave Trail. | | |
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| | | | | Address | | Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest-Lakeside Ranger District | | 2022 W. White Mtn. B1 | | Lakeside, Arizona 85929 |
| | | Phone | | General: (928) 368-5111 | | TTY: (928) 368-5088 | |
| | | | | Website | | Email |
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