64 South Bay Accent Cave Rave FIRST OF ALL, you cannot be afraid of confined spaces. Secondly, you cannot be afraid of the dark. Third, you cannot be afraid of heights. If you can get past those phobias, then mosey on over to Moaning Cavern Adventure Park. In the Sierra Nevada foothills, the state’s largest public cave chamber promises a wealth of memories. There’s plenty to explore in this vast underground space, which is large enough to hide the upright Statue of Liberty within its depths. The 45-minute walking tours are a cinch for the whole family. Follow a guide down a series of narrow steps to a depth of 165 feet. (Total depth of the cave is about 410 feet.) You can bring your baby in a front pack or sling, but kids riding in backpacks aren’t permitted. The temperature below is 61 degrees Fahrenheit yearround, so wear a light sweater or jacket. Braver souls may opt to rappel into the cavern, descending via rope and sporting a hard hat, gloves and rappelling gear. Kids as young as 12 may participate in this activity. The 45-minute heart-pounder is rated 4.5 out of 5 on the adventure scale. An even more intense challenge is offered on Moaning Cavern’s demanding three-hour adventure trip, which starts with a rappel, followed by two hours of caving. Wearing lamp-lit helmets, you explore rugged cave chambers on your feet and crawling along on your belly. Still raring to go? There’s more fun above ground with an outdoor zipline and a 32-foot custom climbing tower featuring easy and more challenging routes. This activity uses a simple belay system with harnesses to ensure safety. And there are guides on hand to make sure no one gets stuck or falls down. FROM TOP: COURTESY OF SIERRA NEVADA RECREATION CORPORATION; COURTESY OF AMERICAN WHITEWATER EXPEDITIONS
South Bay Accent - Jun/Jul 2015
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