Batty Pass Caves Trail is a 4.8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Escalante, Utah that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
Batty Pass Caves trail leads to caves carved out of the rock by two brothers, Bill and Cliff Lichtenhahn in the 1950s and 1960s. The trail starts on an old double track through flat desert and then converts to a single track as it enters the hills. The brothers created table tops checkerboards, and other articles out of petrified wood, jasper and other stone. Of the three caves, two were used as workshops and one as living quarters. Today, the caves contain the remains of old beds, a boat, shelves, and machinery. An old, rusted out car sits in front.
None, Backpack camping allowed.
Escalante NM PO Box 1507 Page, AZ 86040 Phone: (928) 608-6200
Escalante, Hole in the Rock Road,head south on Hole in the Rock Road until you get to the turnoff for the Coyote Gulch Dry Fork trailhead. This is the turnoff for the Spooky and Peek a Boo slots, but, instead of turning east toward Dry Gulch, you want to turn southwest off Hole in the Rock on a less-used dirt track. Follow this track for about 2.4 miles across a flat and then into the hills. Stay on the main track and you can't miss them on your left.
4 stars because we did not hike to the caves. We were able to drive all the way to the caves in a ford cargo van. Most of the dirt road was ok, you may need the high clearance to make it to the end, but there is a wild camping area close to the trail where you could park a sedan and walk the remainder. Caves were nice and cool inside and an interesting look into the history of the brothers.