Main Drain

Main Drain is the 11th deepest cave in the nation, and the deepest in the state beating Neff's Cave by almost 100'. This was by far the coolest cave we have ever done, but also the most brutally painful! The 38 degree water and the -1,227 vertical feet make for a torturous ascent out. The slow 4+hrs down was an incredibly fun and awesome experience, but the 6+ hrs getting out nearly killed us. This is not a cave for the beginner, and should only be attempted after many hours of training, and with someone very familiar with the passages. Thanks again to Brandon Kowallis for being our guide and putting up with some Main Drain newbies.


Tony Grove is a beautiful area to hike in ! The hike to Main Drain takes about an hour and is about 1000' vertical ft.

The Entrance. 0'

Judd Zimmerman and Brandon Kowallis (aka - The Sunshine Boys) gearing up just outside the entrance.

Judd headed in.

Shane Coles looking up from the bottom of the entrance pit (-225') , with the huge snow pile behind.

Brandon snapped this incredible picture looking up at me on rope in Frayed Knot Falls Pit (-770). The light at the top is Shane Coles waiting to descend. (Image courtesy Brandon Kowallis, copyright 2008)



These were the biggest cave pearls I have ever seen! Beautiful! You can read about how they form herehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_pearl





Shane Coles getting off rope at the bottom of one of the smaller rappels in Waterfall Canyon (-500').

Working our way through "Caviar Canyon" (-400').

Judd standing on the top ledge of Frayed Knot Falls Pit (-550).

Shane at the top of "Frayed Knot Falls Pit"

Brandon headed into Kilo Pit. (-875')



Draperies in the bore hole that is "Overflow Hall" (-1,170')





There are several pockets of cave pearls throughout the lower portions, which give "Caviar Canyon" its name.

Standing in front of the Terminal Sump at -1,227' (left to right) Shane Coles, Spencer Coles (Spee), and Judd Zimmerman (Zimmie). The 11th, 12th, and 13th people ever to reach the bottom of Main Drain!