I've been hearing a lot about these cool caves in Logan Canyon (north of Logan, Utah), so having the day free I hopped in the Xterra, left the University and headed up the canyon. The hike starts about 5 1/2 miles up Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway, near the Guinavah-Malibu Campground. The trailhead is on the left side of the road as you are driving up-canyon (toward Bear Lake). From there you hike up the ridge to the northwest, into the forest., The trail is about 1.5 miles one-way, and is pretty steep, gaining over 1000 feet in that short distance; however, it's not too strenuous and the views are amazing.The trail is on the north side of Logan Canyon (located in the Cache National Forest) and climbs up through mountain maple, scrub oak, and aspen to a delicate triple arch and natural cave in a limestone outcropping. Ironically, the "Wind Cave" is not a cave at all (it's a series of arches) and wasn't carved by wind, but by erosion (those crazy Mormon pioneers!). Also known as the Witch's Castle, this interesting formation provides a clear view of what's called China Wall. Interpretive kiosks at the trailhead provide information about the trail, Wind Cave, bats found around the cave and rare plants in the canyon.
The weather was perfect for the hike, and I really had an amazing time. Definitely not to be missed for the not-so-hardcore hikers among us.
Educational Moment: Thousands of years before Europeans appeared in the area, Shoshone and Ute Indians lived on the land now known as Cache National Forest. They depended on the Forest's bounty of big game and fish. By the 1820s, fur trappers and mountain men, such as Jim Bridger, Jedahiah Smith, and Peter Skene Ogden, had discovered the area's natural wealth. Even the Forest's name, "cache" meaning a hiding place for something, recalls those early days of trapping and mountain men. Soon emigrates were cris-crossing the area on their way to Pacific coast. In 1847 the area was "rediscovered" and settlements were being built. By the 1920s, over-gazing and over-logging had left the land in poor condition. The combined efforts of local organizations and the Forest Service brought tremendous strides in the regeneration of the land. Today, thanks to those early and the continuing efforts, the Cache National Forest is once again a place of beauty and wonder.
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