Kings Canyon & Its Caves: A Story of Butterflies, Breakdowns, and Breathtaking Beauty

Kings Canyon & Its Caves: A Story of Butterflies, Breakdowns, and Breathtaking Beauty

Just as you leave the giants of Sequoia National Park, another adventure awaits in the lesser-known but equally spectacular Kings Canyon. Our journey here was a wild ride of unexpected detours, magical moments with butterflies, and near-disasters that tested our resolve. Join us as we explore the stunning Hume Lake and two incredible underground worlds: Boyden Cave and Moaning Cavern.

The Golden Nugget 🌟
Don't Miss This: The "Adventure Exit" at Boyden Cave. Experiencing the total, absolute darkness of the cave gives you a thrilling and humbling appreciation for the courage of its first explorers.

TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO KINGS CANYON & ITS CAVERNS
Put on your VR headset and search for "VR Getaway" to experience the magic of being surrounded by hundreds of butterflies, the beauty of Grizzly Falls, and the awe-inspiring depths of these ancient caverns in full 360!

"...It was magical to be surrounded by so many. A quiet reminder that even when plans fall apart, beautiful moments are waiting just around the corner..."

Adventure at a Glance

🏞️ Locations:	Kings Canyon National Park, Boyden Cave, & Moaning Cavern
🚶‍♀️ Hike Difficulty:	Easy (Lakeside & Cave Tours) to Strenuous (Moaning Cavern Stairs)
⭐ Shauna's Rating:	💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)
☀️ Best For:	Caving, Scenic Drives, Escaping the Heat, Family Adventures
⏳ Recommended Time:	1-2 Days to explore the canyon and a cave.
🔦 Good to Know:	A day of challenges can often make for the best stories!

My Kings Canyon Story

Our epic 4-week road trip continued with a series of hilarious failures and unexpected triumphs! Leaving the high elevations of Sequoia, we descended into a valley of intense heat, forcing us to admit defeat and trade ORVilla for a hotel with AC. The next morning, we faced another steep, windy climb into Kings Canyon, praying our trusty truck wouldn't have a repeat of yesterday's breakdown.

Just as we were stuck in construction traffic, watching enormous sequoias being dragged down the road, we met a man on a motorcycle with the most incredible beard. He gave us a tip that would define our day: take the detour to Hume Lake. We love these moments—connecting with unique people and chasing a local's secret.

The detour was worth it. On the way to the lake, I walked down to a small inlet and was suddenly surrounded by hundreds of butterflies. It was magical. The lake itself was a perfect escape from the heat, and we had a blast paddleboarding and watching a family of ducks. Our peaceful day took a turn, however, when Todd's excitement led to a soaked Rode microphone, and a slip on the wet rocks near the beautiful, thundering Grizzly Falls nearly led to a broken wrist!

With a dead mic, a scratched camera lens from our last stop, a sore Todd, and a truck we weren't sure would start again, we pushed on, determined to see the main draw: Boyden Cavern.

The cave tour was fantastic! Our guide had a fun "breakfast" theme, pointing out formations that looked like bacon and syrup.. Made us hungry eating only sandwiches for days..lol. But the highlight was the "Adventure Exit." She told the story of how the cave's discoverer got lost inside for two days with no light, finding his way out only by following the faint sound of dripping water. Surprisingly he was blind for a few days after coming out of the cavern. Then, she turned off the lights. The darkness was absolute. Following her voice through that pitch-black passage gave us a terrifying and thrilling taste of his ordeal.

Later in our trip, we visited Moaning Cavern, a perfect companion to Boyden. This cave is simply unbelievable. Home to one of the largest chambers in California, its main formation is a colossal, chocolate-colored flowstone that feels impossibly ancient—dinosaur-level old. Descending the 10-story spiral staircase into that vast space is a memory that will stay with you forever.

The Story Behind the Scenery

• Boyden Cave: Located in the deepest river-cut canyon in the United States, Kings Canyon, Boyden is a classic marble cavern. It’s a living, breathing cave where water is still actively sculpting delicate stalactites and stalagmites from the marble walls.
• Moaning Cavern: This cave gets its name from the haunting sound that once echoed from its entrance, luring in early explorers. It is a rich archaeological site, home to some of the oldest human remains ever found in America, from those who tragically fell into its deep vertical opening.

Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints

• ♦️ Embrace the Detour: As we learned from a friendly biker, some of the best spots like Hume Lake aren't on the main park map. Be open to taking the road less traveled!
• ♦️ Safety at Waterfalls: Places like Grizzly Falls are powerful and the surrounding rocks are incredibly slippery. Admire the beauty from a safe distance to avoid injury.
• ♦️ Cave Essentials: Always bring a light jacket, as caves are cool year-round. Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes for the wet paths.
• ♦️ Book Ahead: Cave tours can fill up. Check the official websites for Boyden Cavern and Moaning Cavern to reserve your spot.

VR Video Treasure Hunt!

• 🔎 The Butterfly Magic: Can you find the enchanting moment when I was surrounded by hundreds of butterflies at Hume Lake?
• 🔎 Grizzly Falls' Power: Experience the immense spray and thunder of the waterfall—right before Todd’s close call!
• 🔎 The Adventure Exit: Immerse yourself in the moment we experienced the complete and total darkness inside Boyden Cave.
• 🔎 The Giant Spiral: Look down the incredible 10-story spiral staircase inside the main chamber of Moaning Cavern.

Conclusion

Our day in Kings Canyon was a perfect reminder that life is a rollercoaster. When the bad things happen—the dead battery, the wet microphone, the slip on a rock—there is no need to shake your hands at the sky and feel unloved. This is all part of the journey, part of the agency we fought so bravely for.

The only thing to do is to conquer the challenges in front of you the best you can and remember that being present for those around you is the real key to the journey. And if you find yourself in the dark, scared you won't get out, remember the man in the cave. Your little stream is in your heart. Just have hope that there is help there, and keep taking one step further following that light. It will always lead you out of the darkness.

This was another stop on our epic California to Canada adventure. We hope you'll follow along as we continue to share the story!