Road Trip 2025 - Horne Lake Caves

 

At the end our last post on Forests of Vancouver Island, I gave a hint that Nick and JJ took a quick photo of Cathedral Grove and then drove off to visit Horne Lake Caves. JJ had taken a tour back in 2024 and Nick was eager to see what the caves had to offer. 

Since I wasn't there, Nick and JJ went through the photos with me describing what was going on. Although they wore similar clothing, JJ took all the photos unless noted here.

JJ and Nick, Horne Lake Caves, 2025, Vancouver Island, BC

Horne Lake Caves has 3 cave exploration packages and the guys picked the Multi-Cave Experience which encompasses both the Riverbend and Main Caves. It took about 2.5 hours with 8 cavers maximum to complete it which begins with an uphill climb inside the cave.

Horne Lake Caves, 2025, Vancouver Island, BC

Calcite formations were everywhere and gave the caves an other-worldly shine when reflected off the cavers' headlamps.

Horne Lake Caves, 2025, Vancouver Island, BC

JJ climbed up to get a look at a pool with a rock in the middle that's known as The Cave Buddha. 

Horne Lake Caves, 2025, Vancouver Island, BC

Nick was first to ride the cave slide, a narrow metal slide with a left curve part way down.

Horne Lake Caves, 2025, Vancouver Island, BC

For the cave slide, you need to lie on your back, feet first, as you would a tube in some water parks. This fun slide is not the time to find out you're claustrophobic.

Horne Lake Caves, 2025, Vancouver Island, BC

JJ said that the overhanging rock above Nick's head where the slide curves to the left is called the Face Plant Rock. Nick ducked his head before he got to it, but it looks like he's going to smack into it. They give you a warning not to lift your head while you're on the slide. 

Horne Lake Caves, 2025, Vancouver Island, BC

So then JJ gave the cave slide another whirl. I'm thankful both boys still have their cute faces, and that the Face Plant Rock didn't shave their beards for them.

Horne Lake Caves, 2025, Vancouver Island, BC

This calcite formation looks like a waterfall, which leads into our next photo. 

Horne Lake Caves, 2025, Vancouver Island, BC

Nick used his rock climbing skills to climb up and into a waterfall area. Although we can't see the water from this angle, he said there was lots of it. 

Horne Lake Caves, 2025, Vancouver Island, BC

Remember me saying the tour started with an uphill climb? Well, JJ took this photo of cavers climbing back down to where the tour started.

Horne Lake Caves, 2025, Vancouver Island, BC

Nick took this photo of JJ in the Cheese Grater, which is only 30 cm/1 ft wide.  Apparently, JJ got stuck in it when he tried it for the first time back in 2024, so he wanted a second shot at it. He said he sank down and crab-walked through and didn't have a problem this time around. So Nick tried it. He said a few minutes in, other cavers heard a humongous r-i-p. Nick decided not to progress further and then came back out saying it was just his sweater.

So, if you ever wondered about caving, just ask Nick or JJ because they seemed to enjoy the experience at Horne Lake Caves. 

This post on Horne Lake Caves is the second post that corresponds to the April calendar page.