Entering Chasm Cave and Finding Light in the Darkness
0Do you like surprises? Chasm Cave is an unusual mud cave with a big surprise in it if you're willing to go far enough into it. The cave is located in the Arroyo Tapiado area of the Anza Borrego Desert. Like all mud caves, it twists and turns underground in complete darkness. However, if one keeps exploring Chasm Cave long enough, one comes across a huge chamber lit by sunlight streaming in from a massive, gaping, circular hole in the ceiling. This impressive skylight is obviously the result of a substantial ceiling collapse that happened long ago. Once you've reached this giant chamber, Chasm Cave ceases to be a mud cave and, instead, turns into a deep, winding, open-air slot canyon with towering, near-vertical walls and natural arches. The further I advanced up the slot canyon, the narrower it got!
These mud caves and slot canyons of the Arroyo Tapiado are estimated to be 10,000 to 15,000 years old. They are in a constant state of change from the infrequent desert thunderstorms and flash-floods sending deluges of water into them which constantly carve the tunnels and canyons. There are around 20 caves in the area of all different kinds and sizes. If you're ever in the area, they are definitely worth adding to your itinerary. Enjoy this video of Chasm Cave!
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