Heppe Cave Trail,
Lava Beds National Monument

Located 18.0 miles from Tulelake, California (CA)
4 Stars
999 Steps 1  (0.5 mi)
Trails National Monuments Lava Beds Heppe Cave Trail

The Heppe Cave trailhead is located on the road to Mammoth Crater, this short, steep and 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.

Heppe Cave TrailHeppe Cave TrailHeppe Chimney

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 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
0.5 mi5,257 ft5,330 ft73 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
12 min5.870 ft39 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
11 min3.239 ft70 ft
Data Accuracy
5 Stars
Data Reliability
5 Stars

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

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  1. Northwest Topo Map: Mount Dome, CA
  2. North Topo Map: Captain Jacks Stronghold, CA
  3. Northeast Topo Map: The Panhandle, CA
  4. West Topo Map: Bonita Butte, CA
  5. Topo Map: Schonchin Butte, CA
  6. East Topo Map: Caldwell Butte, CA
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Little Glass Mountain, CA
  8. South Topo Map: Medicine Lake, CA
  9. Southeast Topo Map: West of Kephart, CA

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)

Big Nasty TrailGillem Bluff TrailWhitney Butte Trail

Footnotes

  1. Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
  2. Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
  3. Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
  4. Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
  5. Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
  6. Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
  7. Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
  8. Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
  9. Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.