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Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Oct 15, 2016 6:15 pm
by Firefighter912
We're on a fire up here in Dade County and ran across that this mountain had caves.

We've found one and thought it was Rusty's Cave but it was Cemetary Pit.

Why is it called Cemetary Pit? I heard something from a local about some bones being found on a ledge.

Also where is Rusty's Cave and others on this mountain? There is no map or direction.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Oct 17, 2016 6:24 am
by Firefighter912
Found Rustys Cave...fire burned all around it. Really no good way to get to it other than following the drain.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Oct 17, 2016 1:01 pm
by Firefighter912
Found Hurricane Cave. The metal gate is off of it.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Oct 19, 2016 11:21 am
by Firefighter912
Fires about contained.

Found Byers cave. So all 4 caves are found.

Looks like a lot of trails will need to be cleaned out...though there are several firebreaks. Watch out for burned out stump holes and loose rocks.

Spelunk safe my friends.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Oct 19, 2016 7:41 pm
by Bob Thrun
Firefighter912 wrote:Why is it called Cemetary Pit? I heard something from a local about some bones being found on a ledge.

Cavers used to park at the cemetery, which was not close, and hike up the mountain. This was before the Interstate was put in.Try to find an old SERA or TAG guidebook for directions.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Oct 19, 2016 8:14 pm
by Firefighter912
Thanks Bob. Sounds more logical.

Ive found all four caves and a few more while I was out there. Ive marked them on my maps...and I know the locations are hush hush to the public to a degree. Really wanted to find them since we were here and saw the board. Never seen a cave before truthfully.

I think I may need to start buying caving equipment and get in a local group.


Looks like the Conservancy has a lot of work to do because most trails were covered up by brush from the fire. Byers was still marked pretty well.

We managed to clear back some tornado damage on one cave when we had a chance to.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Dec 28, 2016 1:33 am
by beertripp
Hi there. I am one of the property managers at the Fox Mountain Cave Preserve. I guess I'm a bit late in seeing this post, but I went to the Preserve as soon as the fires were contained enough to safely visit the property. I had no issues locating any of the caves on the mountain. All of the trails still exist, although there are some fire breaks in close proximity in some places that could be confusing if one was not paying attention. I have not heard of anyone having any issues though.

Thanks to all who helped fight the fires on the mountain. That could have been a nasty situation. Instead, a great deal of the tornado debris was burned up (along with the briars!) which will be better in the long run.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Feb 13, 2017 11:14 pm
by bennettbike
Yeah, it looks like it has seen 2 natural disasters, haha, I like the open hiking until it grows back. Thank you for the hard work you guys are doing! After my kids grow and my business can more self function I will definitely get more involved.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Feb 13, 2017 11:15 pm
by bennettbike
One of my closest friends works with me and is a firefighter in Cobb county, maybe we will see you up there! Learn some ropes for that mountain.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Feb 14, 2017 5:43 pm
by Firefighter912
beertripp wrote:Hi there. I am one of the property managers at the Fox Mountain Cave Preserve. I guess I'm a bit late in seeing this post, but I went to the Preserve as soon as the fires were contained enough to safely visit the property. I had no issues locating any of the caves on the mountain. All of the trails still exist, although there are some fire breaks in close proximity in some places that could be confusing if one was not paying attention. I have not heard of anyone having any issues though.

Thanks to all who helped fight the fires on the mountain. That could have been a nasty situation. Instead, a great deal of the tornado debris was burned up (along with the briars!) which will be better in the long run.



Yes, the fire really helped out getting rid of the tornado debris.

I recommend doing prescribed burning when you guys can to maintain the vegetation growth in the future.

Main issue with the fire was the structures around the mountain and the one house on top of Fox Mtn.

This has gotten me interested in caving, but I have no experience in it really. Plus I am a really big (not fat) guy so tight spots I have to avoid.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Feb 14, 2017 5:44 pm
by Firefighter912
bennettbike wrote:One of my closest friends works with me and is a firefighter in Cobb county, maybe we will see you up there! Learn some ropes for that mountain.


Yall have fun and be safe. Should be easy walking.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Feb 15, 2017 8:33 am
by graveleye
boy it's going to be snaky up there this summer when all that burn area starts growing in some underbrush.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Feb 17, 2017 10:50 am
by bennettbike
oh wee... i know about this much about snakes.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Feb 17, 2017 10:51 am
by bennettbike
who was up there last Saturday? silver SUV, hat on the dash... like a cowboy style dark grey hat. i came, explored, left and you were still up on the mountain.

Re: Fox Mountain Caves?

PostPosted: Oct 13, 2017 6:15 am
by Nivens
Does anyone have any good pics of the cave?