SOLDIER'S CAVE MANAGEMENT PLAN SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS December 1995
(excluding maps)
Background and History: Specific details concerning the original discovery of Soldier's Cave have been lost through the passing of time. The best account of early events in the cave can be found in the May 1951 Stanford Grotto Newsletter. A newsletter article describes the rescue of a Soldier from what is apparently Soldier's Cave in 1909 or 1910. The individual seems to have been lost without light in the breakdown room between the entrance rope and Bostick Pit. References in the article indicate that the cave was known to local Rangers and Army personnel before this time, however. Organized cavers probably first entered the cave in 1949. They descended Bostick Pit and likely explored most of the cave by the end of 1950. From that time forward Soldier's became one of the most popular sport caves in the Western U.S. With approximately one mile of passage formed on two levels, the cave's extensive ropework, complexity, and beautiful formations have delighted cavers for three generations. Unfortunately, the cave was badly abused and damaged during decades of non-existent cave management policies within the Park. Formations were broken in all areas of the cave and many square feet of formerly white walls and formations were heavily soiled by the movement of muddy cavers. In early 1992, the cave suffered further damage when a beautiful, complex curtain was broken in the Helictite Room. Following this event, the cave was closed for approximately one year, and was reopened for clean-up trips only in 1993. The dedication of many cavers and grottos has led to a successful cleaning of Soldier's Cave. While it can never be returned to its former glory, the condition of the cave has improved dramatically. Cave Management Plan: Most of Soldier's Cave is managed under Management Class 2a, which stipulates that 1) trips into the cave may only be led by Park approved "Trustees" who act as informed trip leaders and stewards of the cave and its outstanding resources; 2) the maximum trip size is six, while the minimum is three, including the Trustee; 3) a total of 20 trips per calendar year are allowed into the cave. Multiple entries into the cave in a single weekend count as multiple trips. A single Trustee may not reserve more than two trips prior to September 1 of any given year and may not reserve more than five trips in any year. Consideration will always be given to a fair balance of trip distribution between Trustees. At least one and sometimes two trips per year will be reserved for the annual Trustee meeting; 4) a permit is required for all entries into Soldier's Cave. Arrangement's for trips (including permit applications) must be made at least two weeks in advance. This can be accomplished by contacting the Park Cave Specialist. 5) Trustees must file a trip report with the Park Cave Specialist after each trip into the cave. Trustees will be strongly encouraged to attend the annual, conservation-oriented trips coordinated by the Cave Specialist and held on a Spring weekend. These trips will focus on needed clean-up, trash removal, photo-monitoring, an assessment of the cave's condition, and the training of new trustees.
Trustees are expected to lead at least one trip every year for cavers interested in visiting Lost Soldier's. Trustees must approve participants on caving trips on the basis of a conservation-oriented attitude, vertical proficiency, and sound caving ability. Participants also should be aware of these provisions involving the management of Soldier's Cave and the Park Service goals in creating these guidelines for Soldier's Cave. Soldier's Cave has been assigned to Hazard Class Five. The description of this hazard class, in the "Categories of Cave Management" section, briefly describes the experience level required of trip participants and the equipment required for visiting a cave with this rating. A maximum of 16 Trustees may exist at one time. Statement of Purpose: Soldier's Cave's remaining rare and beautiful features include outstanding helictites, gypsum and selenite crystals, crusts and flowers, large and beautifully formed dog-tooth spar crystals, calcite blisters, delicate soda straws, many stalagmites and stalactites, curtains and other calcite formations. While little biological work has been done in Lost Soldier's, at least one endemic species of troglophilic beetle is known to inhabit the cave. This beetle is believed to represent a new genus. Lost Soldier's also has a long history of recreational exploration and appreciation from members of the western caving community. It is the purpose and goal of the National Park Service and the management procedures delineated in this document to preserve and protect all of the diverse and significant features of Soldier's Cave while allowing for the continued recreational use of the cave. This will require careful management decisions on the part of the Park Service and cooperation from cavers and caving groups. Further significant and serious degradation of the cave's features will not be tolerated by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Equipment Restrictions: All cavers entering the cave will be equipped with a complete vertical system for ascending and descending. The system should allow for change-overs, knot passing and the practice of other advanced skills. Cavers also should be well equipped with horizontal caving equipment. Calcium carbide in any form is not allowed in Lost Soldier's. Personnel Restrictions: Participants on trips will be determined by the Trustee leading the trip. It is the policy of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, due to the presence of multiple drops and narrow vertical passages, that Lost Soldier's is not an appropriate cave for those learning vertical skills. Rather this cave should be explored by those who are experienced in vertical caving. Other factors used by Trustees for determining trip participants must include the presence of a conservation-minded, "cave softly" attitude on the part of the individual. If the existing delicate areas of the cave are to remain intact, then all who enter Soldier's must carefully and consciously work to protect these features. Cavers in Lost Soldier's also must have sound horizontal caving abilities, skills for moving in delicate areas, including down-climbing skills, an ability to move through tight passages, and route finding capabilities. In-Cave Restrictions: In cave restrictions will be marked using flagging tape and small signs written on the tape. Periodically, (every two to three years) the flagging tape will be replaced during Trustee meeting weekends.
The following areas will be classified under Management Class 5, which means that they are closed expect for specific approval from the Park for special purposes. These include (NOTE: numbers correspond to map locations): 1) passage to the left behind and beyond the Starlight Room; 2) The floor of the Starlight Room except for the small area marked with flagging tape at the entrance to the room and the route across the floor to the right into the continuing passage. Travel to the right will require boots off. 3) the new room in Ruby's Route discovered by Darrell Tomer and companions in 1991; 4) the room beyond the Aragon Room and the nearby route into Ruby's Route; 5) Passage out of and above the Helictite Room to Ruby's Route. 6) Areas adjacent to the walls in the Fallen Soda Straw Room because of the dust created by travel through the room. Boots and gloves will be removed before the following areas are entered (NOTE: Roman numerals correspond to map locations): I) The Helictite Room; II) the passage below and before the Helictite Room from just after the 10-foot climb-up out of the Corridor to the room before the climb-up into the Helictite Room. III) the Starlight Room when moving across the room to the continuing passage on the right. Limited numbers of people may enter the following areas at one time (NOTE: capitol letters correspond to map locations): A) No more than two people at a time in the Aragon Room; B) no more than two people at a time in the Starlight Room; C) two people at a time in the Fallen Soda Straw Room; D) two people at a time in the Chapel and the crawlway passage leading to it; E) no more than three people at a time in the Helictite Room. Ladders will be placed at the far side of Column Pit in the Corridor. (NOTE: Ladder locations are marked with a "*" on management maps) Flagged trails will be followed in a) areas of the Corridor; b) in the passage before the Helictite Room; c) in the Helictite Room; d) the Starlight Room; e) the Fallen Soda Straw Room. (NOTE: small-case letters correspond to map locations) Ruby's Route may be accessed from 1) the Dry Stream Bed Passage to the right of the passage going to the Lake near Kahan Pit, from 2) the passage on the right on the way to the Helictite Room from the Corridor, and 3) via the tight route at the end and above the Bacon Rind Room. Routes near the Aragon Room and in the Helictite Room are closed (see above). Closure and limited access areas will be signed using permanent writing on flagging tape. Continued Cleaning: A limited amount of cleaning gear will be permanently stored in the Waiting Room (worn-out or damaged gear will be removed and replaced over time). All trips proceeding further into the cave will take a small amount of this cleaning gear (brush, sponge, squirt bottle, etc.) with them to be used to clean areas dirtied during the trip or to clean overlooked areas from the cleaning project. Each trip will be responsible for cleaning any areas trip participants might have dirtied.