Hole in the Ground
The "Hole in the Ground" is exactly what the name implies. It is a crack in the earth through a lava flow. The crack is about 90 feet deep, straight down.
The size of the opening is approximately 60 feet north to south and about 20 feet east to west.
You can see where some adventurous individuals climbed down into the opening, but they must have utilized some type of rock-climbing equipment to accomplish this (or simply be young and dumb).
Safety notice:
There are no warning signs and no barriers of any kind near the opening. In fact, if you are not paying attention as you are approaching the opening, you cound drive a car right into it. The soil along the edge of the opening is very slippery and it would be fatal to accidentally fall into the opening.
Driving Directions:
This drive does not require four wheel drive but it does require a vehicle with high ground clearance. Parts of this route could become impassable after a rain storm.
The "Hole in the Ground" can be best accessed from Mud Flat Road accessed via Grandview.
Turn left onto Highway 78 from Grand View Road.
Mud Flat Road begins at an intersection with Highway 78 in 2.1 miles. When the highway curves to the east, stay straight and travel directly south.
At about the 9 mile point there is the Shoofly Oolite Interpretive Site and Trailhead on the west side of the road. This geological feature is quite unique and well worth studying and hiking the local trails.
Stone Ranch
At about the 16 miles point, the road intersects the Poison Creek Cut-Off road heading off to the west. The pavement ends here. Continue straight for about another 10 miles to the summit.
Coordinates: 42° 542.55 north, 116° 22.26' west. Leave the main road and take the jeep trail 1.6 miles to the east.
Coordinates: 42° 41.48' north, 116° 21.50' west. Take the jeep trail to the left for 2.1 miles.
Coordinates: 42° 40.26' north, 116° 20.10' west. Take the jeep trail to the left for 1.9miles.
Coordinates: 42° 39.38' north, 116° 18.50' west. Take the jeep trail to the left for 2.6 miles.
Coordinates: 42° 40.86 north, 116° 16.46' west. Take the jeep trail to the left for 0.2 miles.
Coordinates: 42° 41.02' north, 116° 16.46' west. Arrive at the "Hole in the Ground."
Note that this location is now in the Little Jack's Wilderness Area so please follow the signed road closures.