#The cave big bear full#

We have constructed a gate that will allow us to open approximately half of the cave to the public while still protecting the colony of Townsend's big-eared bats. The entire cave is closed from mid-May to mid-July while the bats are raising their young.

The lower half of the Bear Gulch Cave is usually open from mid-July through mid-May each year, depending on the presence of the colony of bats. The colony in the Bear Gulch Cave is the largest maternity colony between San Francisco and Mexico. Townsend's big-eared bats are listed as a 'sensitive species' by the state of California, and we are required to protect them. The Bear Gulch Cave provides a home to a colony of Townsend's big-eared bats as they rest there in winter and raise their young in the late spring and summer. Information About the Seasonal Opening of the Bear Gulch Cave Give your little cubs an extraordinary backyard experience to climb, swing, slide and imagine all day long with the Bear Cave Lodge Swing Set and Playset. Ranger Sophie hikes in the Balconies Cave during a rainy day.

#The cave big bear full#

It may open earlier, up to the full month, depending on the presence of bats. The entire cave is usually open for the last week of the month. The entire cave will be closed to protect the colony of bats as they raise their young. The main (lower) section of the cave may be open.

It may open earlier, up to the full month, depending on the presence of bats These dates may change if the colony of bats changes its breeding patterns or shows signs of disturbance. Schedule of the Seasonal Opening of the Bear Gulch Cave The entire Bear Gulch Cave will also be open twice a year for at least one week and up to four weeks each March and October, depending on the presence of the colony of bats. The entire cave will continue to be closed through late spring and early summer for pupping season, from mid-May through Mid-July. During especially warm springs, however, it's possible that the entire cave will be closed before mid-May if the maternity colony is present. When the upper section is closed, the lower can still be entirely passed through without turning around or going back through the way that was entered.Īs long as the hibernating colony of bats shows no signs of disturbance, we plan to keep over half of the Bear Gulch Cave open for almost ten months each year, from mid-July through mid-May. The lower, main section remains open for much of the year, while the upper additional section is rarely open for more than a few weeks each year to protect the endangered bats residing there. The Bear Gulch Cave has two sections that sometimes operate independantly of each other.