Subway Cave Lava Tube

August 2, 2019

On the Northern border of Lassen National Park in the Lassen National Forest is the Subway Cave, a remnant of Northern California’s volcanic past.  Less than 20,000 yeas ago the lava of the Hat Creek flow was discharged in large volumes from a series of north-south fissures (cracks in the earth). This river of lava located near the town of Old Station, crawled northward 16 miles, covering the floor of Hat Creek Valley. While the top crust cooled and hardened, rivers of red-hot lava insulated by newly formed rock above, continued to flow. Eventually, the lava drained away, leaving tube-like caves.

The parking area features picnic tables and toilets and the entrance to the cave is a short walk away and well marked.

The cave is 1,300 feet of winding lava tube with ceiling thickness which varies from 8 to 24 feet and the inside height varies from 6 to 17 feet. The total length of the self-guided trail is 1/3 mile and interpretive signage can be found at the trailhead, in some locations inside the cave, which help explain the unusual site.

However, visibility in the lava tube is zero so take a headlamp and/or flashlight. Additionally, the temperature inside the cave remains a cool 46 degrees F, be sure to take a jacket with you.

The entrance to the cave was formed by a partial collapse of the cave’s roof many years ago. Subway Cave is the largest accessible tube in the flow.

A flight of stairs descends into the dark volcanic underworld of the Subway Cave Lava Tube through a gaping hole in the ground where it meets a fairly level floor of the cave that runs its entire length. The floor of the cave is rough, watch your step, sturdy shoes advised!

Windtunnel

This portion of the cave gets its name from the slight breeze that you may be able to feel.  On the walls you can see marks left behind by two separate lava flows.

Lucifer’s Cul-de-Sac

Some times short fingers of lava branched out from the main flow.  This chamber was formed when the side stream of lava was halted and returned to the main flow.

Lavacicle Lane

When most of the molten lava drained out, the remaining lava still molten began to drip off the ceiling and formed drip pendants or “lavacicles”.

You can see light at the end of the tunnel and the exit of the lava tube.

After exiting the tube take a right and follow the trail back to the trailhead and the parking lot.  Along the way you will see hardened lave that flowed outside the tube.

Map of Subway Caves from the National Park Service.

Subway Cave is located near the town of Old Station, 1/4 mile north of the junction of Highway 44 & 89 across from Cave Campground. The Cave is open late May through October. Closed during the winter months.

Subway Cave Lava Tube
Old Station, California
GPS: 40.685108, -121.419186

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