Hell Holes Nature Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Cave · Geological Significance

Admission: Adults $7.00, Youths (5-15) $5.00, Children under 5: FREE

The Hell Holes Site with all its natural and mystical wonder relates back to the glacial period for its unique geological formation. Millions of years ago this was the route of the Salmon River, now situated north of here. The constant movement of water wore the limestone into a Karsts feature giving an intricate pattern of rocky ground with overhanging ledges, mushroom-shaped rocks, caves, gullies, potholes and sinkholes.

The Devils' Horse Stable Cave which once reached far underground was dynamited shut for safety reasons when it collapsed in the early 1900s. Legends tell us that Satan visited this area frequently and stabled his horses here! One strange legend was told of a headless horseman seen in this area on moonless nights in November looking for a new head to replace the one he lost to the Devil.

The one well-known Hell Hole Cave appears to be a large crevice in the limestone but is a narrow shaft dropping down approx. 7.5m and widening into a cavern that would hold 20 people. A flashlight is required to explore this cave.

The Natural Stone Bridge ornamented with white cedar trees is complimented on both sides with richly developed and rare plant communities. The Valley floor below presents us with dripping limestone walls of the ravine, flowerpot rocks, a network of gullies and a virgin forest made evident by numerous fallen and rotted trees. Various shapes of rocks and boulders can be found throughout the valley with the Pillar Rock showing distinct features of glacial effects. During the Ice Age rapid action of moving water under thick layers of melting ice broke down the softer layers of limestone at the base of the rock creating a pedestal pattern.

A swamp-like marshy area at the end of the valley where surface water collects from the valley disappears underground through sinkholes and possibly finding a passage to the Salmon River. Various plants are found here seasonally.

Your trail continues upward to the top of the plateau on the south side of the valley past another point of interest and returns to the entrance.