Cascadia Cave
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes to this location:
- Cascadia State Park Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Elevation: 910 feet
Description
Cascadia Cave is a rock overhang near the South Santiam River and east of Cascade State Park. The cave can only be reached by guided tour (Register through Recreation.gov). Currently, there are only two guided tours a year, in June and September. The cost is $10, and the entire tour will take about 6 ½ hours. The tour begins at the Cascadia Trailhead with an introduction to the lifestyles of the Kalapuya and Molalla.
The mysterious deeply cut petroglyphs in the soft rock face here date back perhaps 8,000 years. Even though they are federally protected, they are unfortunately marred by visitors’ initials. Many of the petroglyphs are abstract in form and their meaning is open to interpretation. Some of the etchings, including a prominent set of bear tracks, are highlighted by red pigment, also tactlessly slathered on by modern visitors to 'highlight' them more obviously. This is considered the premier petroglyph site on the west side of the Cascades in Oregon, but much has been lost because of looting, vandalism, and water damage since early settler days. Cascadia Cave is a site of spiritual significance for the Santiam Band of the Kalapuya and the Molalla; it lies along an ancient passageway into the mountains.
Take the guided tour, which will be very illuminating, and be respectful: Touch nothing and leave nothing.
More Links
- Cascadia Cave (The Oregon Encyclopedia)
- “Trip to Oregon’s Cascadia Cave brings archeology to life” (Oregon Live)
- Cascadia Cave (jessB)
- Cascadia Cave (Outdoor Project)
- 2018 Nature and Heritage Tours (Willamette National Forest)
- Cascadia Cave (Recreation.gov)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)