Junction Cave, Cibola County, New Mexico

September 2015

Gate Type: BASIC

Our first lava tube project was this gate on an easily-accessible cave open to visitors during parts of the year. However, during other parts of the year it was home to the largest colony of western big-eared bats in all of El Malpais National Monument. We learned a lot about the differences between working in limestone caves and lava tubes on that one! This project turned out beautifully, thanks to lots of support from the Monument staff and local cavers. Check it out the next time you are in the area! All photos © Jim Kennedy.

Getting materials down the steep, rugged entrance slope was our first challenge.
We also had to work over a very irregular floor, and around many large lava boulders.
One side had very small rocks that could easily be removed to bypass the gate, so we installed this skirting.
The finished gate from the inside looking out.
The finished gate from the outside, with the gating team.