To The Bat Cave!

Stuart Bat Cave
At dusk, thousands of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats fly out of this cave.
User: Blaze - 8/24/2013

Location: Kickapoo Cavern State Park

Rating: 1star
Difficulty: 1point5stars  Solitude: 4point5stars
Miles Hiked: 6.70 Miles  Elapsed Time: 3 hours, 3 minutes

Comments:

I arrived at Kickapoo Caverns State Park late in the afternoon, so I didn't have an opportunity to hike all of the trails.  I did hike the Sergeant Memorial Lookout Trail, The Pine Canyon Loop Trail, The Indigo Creek Connection Trail, and the Barbado Ridge Trail.  The last trail apparently ends on the top of the ridge, but the trail is poorly marked and where the trail ends is uncertain.  The weather started to deteriorate and rain, so rather than hike back on the ridge line, I decided to hike cross-country down to the road and back to my campsite.

To be blunt, the trails were not very scenic and the lack of tree cover makes the sun/heat brutal.  These trails are not ones I would make an exclusive trip for, but it may be worthwhile to hit this state park if you're in the general area.

One nice feature of this park is the Stuart Bat Cave.  At dusk, thousands of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats fly out of the cave into the night.  I stood at the entrance of the cave videotaping the event and it was pretty cool to have them whizzing past me quietly (all you hear is the flapping of their wings).



Log Photos
Entrance Sign
Sergeant Overlook
Stuart Bat Cave
Barbado Ridge Trailhead
View From The Barbado Ridge Trail
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