The unpaved road to Devil’s Hole in Nevada
Devil’s Hole is a subaqueous cavern, located in Nye County, in the US state of Nevada, with an eerie legend.
Where is Devil’s Hole?
The cavern is located in the south-central part of Nevada, in the Amargosa Desert near Death Valley National Park, within the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
Why is it called Devil’s Hole?
As the winds intensified, deep growls and thunderous roars echoed from the caverns of the vast hole, caused by the force of air and water rushing through the underground tunnels. In the superstitious 17th century, colonists believed these eerie sounds were the work of the devil, leading to the place being named Devil’s Hole.
What’s the Devil’s Hole?
It is a water-filled cavern that descends deep underground and is part of an extensive and ancient aquifer system that spans parts of Nevada, California, and even into Mexico. Devil’s Hole is essentially a collapsed limestone cavern, part of the larger Ash Meadows and Death Valley groundwater system. The water within is around 33°C (91°F) year-round and is remarkably deep—scientists have not determined the exact depth, though divers have explored over 130 meters (427 feet). The complete size and depth have neither been fully reached nor recorded. It is said to extend to a depth of more than 900 feet. This cavern is the habitat for the only naturally occurring population of the endangered Devils Hole Pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis).
Is the road to Devil’s Hole unpaved?
The road to this geologic formation is totally unpaved. It’s called Devil’s Hole Road. The road is 13.67km (8.5 miles) long running from Ranch Road to Ash Meadows Road. Due to its unique location and passing through remote areas, it is important to be prepared when driving in these conditions. The last meters from the road to this unique site are closed to vehicles.
What’s the legend of Devil’s Hole?
Devil's Hole has been the subject of local folklore, with stories of mysterious waters and eerie sounds coming from the deep caverns. Legends of the Devil’s Holes go back for decades… if not centuries… and while there are many cases of animals disappearing into their fathomless depths, there is one notable case of a ghastly creature emerging from the bowels of a terrified sheep that was temporarily lowered into one of these holes as part of a cruel experiment.
Pic: https://www.fws.gov/nevada/protected_species/fish/species/dhp/dhp_gallery3.html