Heppe Cave Trail,
Lava Beds National Monument
The Heppe Cave trailhead is located on the road to Mammoth Crater — this short steep, rocky trail leads to a huge lava tube collapse. The trail to the first entrance of the collapsed rock chamber leads to Heppe Ice Caves — during the warmer months a pool of water can be viewed within the cave. This water feature is the largest open body of water within the Lava Beds National Monument. Beyond this pool is the opening to the chamber that leads to the Heppe Chimney Cave located to the west of the collapse. The summer months can be very hot, but the caves are cool. There are no water facilities available on any of the trails — water is freely available at the campgrounds. Before entering the caves within Lava Beds National Monument, a free screening pass for the deadly bat disease White-Nose Syndrome must first be obtained from the Visitor Center or Fee Booth.
Elevation
The Heppe Cave Trail has a maximum elevation of 5,330 ft., a minimum elevation of 5,257 ft. and an elevation range of 73 ft.
Metrics
| [ A to B ] or [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Length 2 | Min Ele 3 | Max Ele 4 | Range 5 |
| 0.5 mi | 5,257 ft | 5,330 ft | 73 ft |
| [ A to B ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time 6 | Floors 7 | Gain 8 | Loss 9 |
| 12 min | 5.8 | 70 ft | 39 ft |
| [ B to A ] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Floors | Gain | Loss |
| 11 min | 3.2 | 39 ft | 70 ft |
Calories
The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.
Topo Maps
Download the PDF Heppe Cave Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.
Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend
- Northwest Topo Map: Mount Dome, CA
- North Topo Map: Captain Jacks Stronghold, CA
- Northeast Topo Map: The Panhandle, CA
- West Topo Map: Bonita Butte, CA
- Topo Map: Schonchin Butte, CA
- East Topo Map: Caldwell Butte, CA
- Southwest Topo Map: Little Glass Mountain, CA
- South Topo Map: Medicine Lake, CA
- Southeast Topo Map: West of Kephart, CA
Difficulty
The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Heppe Cave Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.
FAQ
What is the length of the Heppe Cave Trail?
The length of the trail is 0.5 miles (0.7 km) or 999 steps.
How long does it take to hike the Heppe Cave Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 12 minutes in one direction and in 11 minutes in the opposite direction.
Warnings
Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin.
(cdc.gov)
- The Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) may be present in this area. The Brown dog tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
- The Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) may be present in this area. The Rocky Mountain wood tick transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, and Tularemia.
- The Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) may be present in this area. The Western blacklegged tick transmits Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease.
Footnotes
- Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
- Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
- Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
- Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
- Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
- Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
- Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
- Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
- Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.