Southern California Grotto

Category: About the Grotto

  • Mine Exploring

    Deep Mysteries

    Southern California has a rich mining history.
    Explore mysteries with us.

    Mine Conservation

    A number of Grotto members are highly skilled in ecological remediation and preservation. Members frequently volunteer their time and expertise to assist with mine conservation projects.

    Digital Conservation

    The grotto is committed to preservation and exploration, both in the real world and digitally.

    SoCal Grotto member Hugh Blanchard (1929-2008) created an amazing website about the gold mines of Los Angeles county. To protect the site from being lost forever, here’s a mirror:

    https://lagoldmines.socalgrotto.com

    Doug DeNike and Hugh Blanchard exploring. Photo by Bill Stewart

  • 2025 Presentations

    October 7 2025

    Mapping Plunge Pool

    Grotto Chairman Carl Haken recounts the trials and tribulations of mapping Plunge Pool cave in the Anza Borrego desert.

    Photo: Carl Haken

    November 4 2025

    The Unusual Caves of Brazil

    World-traveling cave surveyors Carol Vesely and Nancy Pistole describe their recent experiences attending the 2025 International Congress of Speleology in Brazil.

    Photo: Nancy Pistole

    December 2 2025

    Gating the Underworld

    Professional bat gate contractors Alan Rice, James Rice, and David Angel describe the process of cave and mine gating. Why and how the underground spaces become gated as well as the various techniques used.

    Photo: David Angel