KINGS CANYON • CAVERNS • ROAD TRIP

Kings Canyon & The Caves: A Story of Highs and Lows

Moaning Cavern California Caverns

From a sea of butterflies to the absolute darkness of the underground.

⚡ The Quick Scoop

The Route: Leaving Sequoia NP, heading deep into Kings Canyon, then North to Moaning Cavern.

Must See: The Butterfly Inlet at Hume Lake.

The Thrill: The "Adventure Exit" (total darkness) at Boyden Cave.

The Challenge: The 10-story spiral staircase descent.

Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (Magical & Terrifying)

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. Leaving Sequoia, our trusty truck "ORVilla" overheated and quit working! It was terrifying thinking about the towing costs and potentially losing our vehicle. We managed to cool her down in the shade, but the heat in the lower valley was so dizzying that we admitted defeat.

We traded the van life for a hotel with AC for one night to recover before facing the steep, winding climb into Kings Canyon.

Part I: The Detour

The Bearded Angel & The Butterflies

📖 Traveler's Tale: Pushing the Limits

I have to admit, I was scared. We had done crazy, winding, steep drives for three days in a row, and "ORVilla" was showing signs of fatigue. Looking down into the depths of Kings Canyon—knowing how hot it was at the bottom—was nerve-wracking.

We were pushing our truck to a brutal limit. We desperately needed a break before attempting the climb out, which is why the tip we got next felt like a miracle.

Stuck in construction traffic, watching enormous sequoias being dragged down the road on trucks, we met a man on a motorcycle with the most incredible beard.

We didn't get his name, but we will never forget watching that magical beard flapping in the wind as we followed him! He leaned over and gave us a tip that would define our day: "Take the detour to Hume Lake."

The Butterfly Effect 🌟

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. A quiet reminder that even when plans fall apart (and trucks overheat!), beautiful moments are waiting just around the corner. It was the mental break we all needed.

Part II: The Near Miss

Grizzly Falls

Hume Lake was a perfect escape from the heat—we paddled and watched a family of ducks. But our peaceful day took a turn at Grizzly Falls.

Todd's excitement led to a soaked Rode microphone, and a slip on the wet rocks near the thundering water nearly led to a broken wrist!

⚠️ Slick Rock Warning

Grizzly Falls is powerful and beautiful, but the mist makes the surrounding granite incredibly slick. Admire the beauty, but keep your footing secure! We left with a dead mic and a sore wrist, but thankfully no broken bones.

Part III: Into the Earth

Boyden Cavern

With a dead mic, a scratched camera lens, a sore Todd, and a truck we weren't sure would start again, we pushed on to Boyden Cavern.

The tour was fantastic! Our guide had a fun "breakfast" theme, pointing out formations that looked like bacon and syrup.

🥓 The Breakfast Torture

Formations in California Boyen Cavern

Normally, rock formations looking like food is funny. But since a power outage in the park had prevented us from cooking hot food for days, we were suffering from serious "Sandwich Fatigue."

Hearing the guide describe "stacks of pancakes" and "crispy bacon" stalactites while we were living off lukewarm ham and cheese was absolute torture! We were practically hallucinating brunch by the end of the tour.

🔦 The Adventure Exit

The guide told us the story of the cave's discoverer, who got lost inside for two days with no light, finding his way out only by following the sound of water.

Then, she turned off the lights. The darkness was absolute. We followed the sound of a little stream, giggling with excitement as we shuffled through the pitch-black passage. It was a thrilling taste of the explorer's ordeal (though we had way more fun than he did!).

⛰️ Science Magic: Deeper than Grand?

Did you know Kings Canyon is actually deeper than the Grand Canyon? In some places, it plunges over 8,000 feet! Boyden Cavern sits at the bottom of this massive gorge, carved by the mighty Kings River.

Part IV: The Spiral

Moaning Cavern

Moaning Cavern Spiral Staircase, Californial Caverns

Later in our trip, we visited Moaning Cavern. This cave is famous not just for its depth, but for its spooky history.

👻 Why does it "Moan"?

The cavern gets its name from a strange sound that used to drift out of the entrance. The specific shape of the rock created a whistling sound when the wind blew, sounding like a low moan from the earth.

It lured in early explorers—and unfortunately, many prehistoric animals who fell into the vertical trap!

Moaning Cavern Panorama

🌀 The 10-Story Descent

The main feature is a colossal, chocolate-colored flowstone that feels dinosaur-level old. The spiral staircase is solid metal, but descending 10 stories into a void is intense!

Photographer's Note: This is where my 360 camera gear really shined. Most people struggle to capture the scale here without risking dropping their phone, but sticking my camera out into the void on a long pole captured views that regular cameras just can't get!

Part V: Virtual Reality

Transport Yourself

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!

🔎 VR Treasure Hunt

Butterfly Magic: Find the enchanting moment when I was surrounded by hundreds of butterflies at Hume Lake.
Grizzly Falls: Feel the immense spray and thunder of the waterfall—right before Todd’s close call!
Total Darkness: Immerse yourself in the "Adventure Exit" at Boyden Cave.
The Giant Spiral: Look down the incredible 10-story spiral staircase inside Moaning Cavern.

Part VI: Know Before You Go

Trip Planning

🚗 The Drive: The drive into Kings Canyon (Hwy 180) is a "White Knuckle" scenic byway. It twists and turns along steep cliffs. Todd made the smart choice to drive out when it was cooling off to save the truck!
⚡ Power & Food Warning: The power grid here is rickety (lightning knocked it out while we were there!). This means no restaurants and often bans on campfires/jet boils. Bring plenty of "no-cook" food unless you want to live on sandwiches like we did!
🌡️ Temperature Shock: Caves are a cool 55°F (13°C) year-round. It might be 100°F outside, but you will want a jacket inside!
🎟️ Book Ahead: Cave tours have limited capacity and fill up fast. Check the official websites for Boyden Cavern and Moaning Cavern to reserve your spot.
🗺️ The Detour: Don't just stick to the main road. The turnoff for Hume Lake is easy to miss but totally worth it for the butterflies and swimming.

Out of the Darkness

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.

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.

Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna from VRGetaway