Hunter's Cave-- @Three Creeks Conservation Area
Posted by: 
mlf920
N 38° 49.940 W 092° 17.981
15S E 560784 N 4298404
two relatively large caves, as well as several small nooks and crannies, nestled along massive limestone bluffs overlooking three creeks (just south of Columbia, Missouri)
Waymark Code: WM1E5R
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 04/17/2007
Views: 253
The conservation area contains two sizeable caves, both of which lie along the southern most portion of the looped multi-use trail. Neither cave is marked on the trail map, which, itself, is somewhat confusing and rather poorly drawn, but the entrances to both are unmistakeable. The largest of the two (Hunter's Cave) contains a number of sizeable and relatively undisturbed formations, requires no crawling/wriggling for the first 200-250 feet or so, and stays more-or-less dry, despite the underground stream running through it. You know the drill. Bring your flashlights (3 minimum per person!), friends, and (preferably) hardhats, and don't disturb the cave or its inhabitants. Despite an inviting sign at the entrance of the cave telling you to be careful and not to touch anything, a permit IS required to explore the cave.
The second cave (Spring Cave) is more of a trick to access. While it's entrances are easy to spot (how could you miss three 20 foot deep crevaces to the immediate left of the trail? Okay, I guess it could be done, but the roaring of underground water- now that's pretty unmistakeable) actually getting into the cave would require a) making a vertical 7-20 foot descent, depending on your gaping hole of preference or b) half wriggling, half swimming up a creek and into a hole that, were it not for the frigid running water, might measure as much as two feet tall.
From what I could see via a quick headpoke into the entrance referenced by option b, however, the cave appears to contain a number of passages that branch off of the underground stream from which it was formed, but all of these passages are very low and would require lying flat on one's belly to successfully traverse. If you go during a dry spell, you might just be able to pull it off. If an unexpected rain the day before leaves you wishing you could grow gills and flippers, don't bypass the cave completely. Even if you can't get in, the sight of a flowing body of water disappearing into the earth beneath three gaping limestone crevice windows, thundering, roaring, splashing, and finally reappearing from the side of a rock below you and to the right is spectacle enough to be worthy of the short hike from the area's largest cave.
The limestone bluffs that line the three creeks are also dotted with a number of small erosion caves, some of which(half a dozen, or so) are just large enough to wriggle into, yell, "Whoa. Cool," and then wriggle back out of again. With everything the area has to offer (caves, scenic bluffs, ample hiking/biking/equestrian trails, and some primitive camping facilities) Three Creeks conservation area is definitely worth the trip.
(NOTE: The website says that a permit is required for cave exploration. It doesn't say which caves, so I assume they mean any and all of them)
Type of Land: Other
Managed By: N/A
Contact Info: (573) 884-6861
Website: [Web Link]
Type of Cave: Karst Cave
Contains Stalactites: yes
Contains Stalagmites: yes
Contains Bats: yes
Price of Admission: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please include a digital photograph of the cave which documents your visit and any information that may be helpful for future visitors.