On a hot day in June we hiked up to the caves on Savona Mountain.    We parked at the start of the Savona Mountain Road since the forest service road had been washed away.    The hike is usually about 6 km return, but the extra hike on the road added another kilometer.   After the forest fire on the mountain, much of the hike is now through the blackened forest.    There has also been extra erosion on the trail/route.    The upper part of the trail requires some scrambling and lots of caution is needed. 

For those who can climb into the caves, there are pictographs on the rocks.    The views extend down to the Durand Creek Valley and across the hills to the east.   The area is rocky, stark, and rugged.

All photos by the author.    Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.

Savona Caves route

pictographs

pictographs

the Durand Creek Valley

through the burn

a balancing rock near the trail

It is hard work up and down, but the caves area is a dramatic spot, one worth the effort

A few moments of the hike are captured in a YouTube video:

More information (link) on the Savona Caves route.