Exploring the Lava Tubes of Bend, Oregon
Tour of the Lava Tubes
The drive to the Boyd Lava Tube takes approximately 20 minutes. During the journey, our guide, Nick from Wanderlust Tours, shared insightful information regarding the area’s history and geology.
Going into the Lava Tube
On a windy day, we were grateful to be heading underground—60 feet deep, to be precise. As we descended a set of metal stairs, I focused on Nick’s engaging storytelling while my partner Dave remained behind to capture stunning photographs.
This has become a familiar routine during our adventures; while Dave often takes off to photograph the surroundings, I stay close to jot down notes, much to the amusement of our fellow group members who might assume I’m preoccupied with social media.
Bats of the Lava Tubes
The area is home to around 1,000 lava tubes, most of which are hibernation sites for bats during the winter months. These caves remain off-limits to the public to protect the hibernating bats. Boyd Lava Cave, distinguished by its single narrow entrance, remains accessible, ensuring the bats are not disturbed.
Bat Hibernation Lesson and the Lava Caves
Nick provided a fascinating lesson on bat hibernation, emphasizing that unlike bears, who prepare for winter by storing energy, bats undergo a significant metabolic reduction, slowing their heart rates and lowering their body temperatures to survive until spring.
Disturbing a hibernating bat could endanger its survival, pushing it to seek food when it’s typically scarce. Therefore, many lava tubes frequented by bats are prohibited to visitors.
Be Prepared for Darkness
When venturing into Boyd Cave, it’s essential to equip yourself with spare batteries and multiple headlamps. The only light source apart from the entrance is your headlamp, and the cave spans approximately 1,800 feet (600 meters) long. Within moments, we found ourselves enveloped in complete darkness.
Experiencing total darkness evokes an unsettling feeling; during the tour, Nick invited us to turn off our headlamps, making the stillness all the more profound. It didn’t take long before someone flicked their light back on, likely out of unease.
The Feeling of Pure Darkness
The guided tour spanned about an hour and a half, offering us the chance to navigate thin passages, rocky terrains, and smooth trails.
How Were the Lava Tubes Made?
The towering lava tubes formed during a significant eruption approximately 150,000 years ago, marking the beginning of a lava flow that shaped the valley. Over thousands of years, smaller eruptions resulted in the creation of additional tubes. One particular trench, resembling a road ditch, was sculpted by a later eruption.
We pushed through to the tour’s endpoint, where Nick encouraged us, stating “not everyone makes it.” I felt confident, knowing that we had navigated through tighter spots before.
For the most part, the lava tube is spacious, presenting only a few tight squeezes and one final crawl requiring you to navigate on hands and knees.
It is a very short crawl, so you won’t feel any anxiety.
Our group included a three-generation family, and it was inspiring to see the enthusiastic grandmother keeping up with her grandchildren throughout the tour.
The Lava Tube adventure is indeed a captivating and exhilarating experience, showcasing one of Oregon’s unique geological wonders.
Tips for the Lava Tube tour
- Bring a jacket, as it can become quite cold underground.
- Wear clothes that can get dirty, as the terrain is quite dusty.
- Wanderlust Tours provides headlamps, batteries, and helmets for your safety.
- If venturing alone (which is not advisable due to legal restrictions), be sure to bring an extra headlamp or flashlight along with additional batteries; navigating in total darkness can be dangerous.
- Prepare to crawl and scramble over rocks during the tour.
- Above all, enjoy the adventure!
The tour was conducted by Wanderlust Tours, rated as the number one tour company on TripAdvisor in Bend.
The enthusiasm of the guides is truly infectious! Nick’s passion for geology transformed our understanding of lava flows into an engaging experience.
He elaborated on the distinction between the fan-like “pahoehoe flow” and the rugged “aa” flow, both unique in their own right.
My enthusiasm for geology was ignited during this enlightening tour. It was enjoyable, and if you decide to embark on a Lava Tube Tour, you’re certain to have a fantastic time as well!
For additional information on Oregon, consider visiting the Travel Oregon Website and discover their Seven Wonders of Oregon. We had the opportunity to explore one of them at Smith Rock State Park, and we eagerly anticipate discovering the other Six in the near future. Thank you, Oregon, for such an unforgettable visit!
