On the left is the entrance to Dykes cave, which is below the Highway 192 bridge over Buck Creek. This road goes between Somerset, KY and London, KY. The bridge is maybe 10 miles from Somerset. The photo on the right shows the front room. There is a parking area by the road, before you go over the bridge. A path goes down by the right (west) side of the bridge, and turns to go under it. On the left of that path is an opening into the cave, which is where most of the light comes from to illuminate the room. Continuing down the path will take you to the stream bed that leads out of the mouth of the cave and connects with Buck Creek close by. In the right picture, you can see a figure standing left of center. That tunnel is the one to the main entrance. You can get in by the side opening, but it is easier to go around to the main entrance.

This picture showing water was made one spring after a lot of rain. It was made from that side opening, as far down as I could get. I guessed the water at three feet or more; probably four feet or more. It was moving through there. This is a good example of cave flooding during excessive rains. Beware. I've been in this cave a few times, and that spring was the only time I saw water, except for a few puddles. Rain fell off an on for days, and the water funnelled into this cave. The picture below shows an old tire and wheel that got washed back into this cave. I assume water pushed it back in there. This shows a little of the power of water. Lots of caves, or parts of them, can flood during heavy rains, so it is wise to be alert to weather.

This cave is short, and goes along below the highway and comes out near a guardrail. It takes only 15 or 20 minutes to go through, I guess. It is simple, with one tunnel going through. At the other end there is a side passage that goes down to a lower level, and ends at a pool of water. The photo on the right was made before the middle I think. The first half, roughly, is more brownish, and the rest is gray. The left picture above was made farther back. The tunnel gets higher back in there, until you get near the end, and then stooping is required.

These two pictures here were made way back in there. The walls are gray, and there is scalloping, which shows more in the right photo. This cave is more interesting back near the middle and beyond, and is plenty roomy. It is a good one for people who want to go in a cave, but don't want anything complicated. Just don't go after a lot of rain. At the other end, a side passage goes off a little, and an opening in the floor leads down to another passage that goes a little way and ends at a pool of water. It can be a little tricky coming out, so pay attention.

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