You may think you need to hop on a plane and fly to Costa Rica or Hawaii to join in zip line adventure tours, but now we can enjoy them here in California.  Located on a scenic hillside in the Gold Country between Angels Camp and Murphys at the Moaning Caverns in Vallecito, is a new zip line experience. 

Following the route connecting many 49er Gold Mine towns, our journey began with a enduring three hour drive.  Leaving Auburn, California we pass many historically significant gold mining sites, like Coloma, Hangtown, through Sutters Creek and Angels Camp, arriving eventually at Moaning Caverns. We endured car sickness problems due to the early start and the notoriously windy Auburn to Placerville route, eventually arriving eager but apprehensive.

As we unloaded the van on the hot, sun-drenched parking lot of the caverns, we heard the screaming buzz of the pulley on the steel cable. We caught glimpses of people secure in climbing harnesses and helmets hurtling downwards, yelling with exhilaration, as they flew above the treetops and disappeared out of sight.  Although a little concerned with the screams, we were ready to begin our zip lining adventure.  

After a series of safety questions, which we individually had to answer, we were then taken into the shady relief of the zip shed and fitted in the climbing harness with leg supports, pulley system, a number of carabineers, and helmet.  Safety is such and important issue when embarking on an adventure sport and the staff here were thorough and conscientious, which after hearing more screams was reassuring. A short jeep ride takes you up the hill towards the imposing wooden launch tower and a short hike over the sixty foot swaying, timber suspension bridge we arrived on the tower to await our launch.

I felt a little calmer as I listened to others being attached to the cable in preparation for their zip line experience, as I was not the only one with a little trepidation! With butterflies firmly planted in my stomach, there was no going back after having come so far, and in reality there was only one way down.  Once again staff and safety procedures were noticeably vigilant as you were rigged to the cable before the breathtaking, thrilling ride.

The dual zip line at Moaning Caverns allows two people to zip down side by side. So to race a friend or spouse all you need is the courage to step off the platform feeling secure in the full body climbing harness.  In a seated position with straps to hold on to, I felt more comfortable and very much in control.  Calmly lifting my feet off the platform I immediately sped rapidly downhill picking up speed. With a yell of joy, I was flying over the stunning gold country scenery. The quarter mile long zip line took a little over thirty seconds of intense, adrenaline pumped pleasure at speeds of up to 40mph before reaching base. Our consensus was that the elating zip line experience was great fun and not as daunting as we imagined originally.  We will all definitely be back for more.

We also found out that the newest way to experience the zip line at Moaning Cavern is to ride it “Superman-Style”.  Using a different harness rig attached to the pulley you fly through the air horizontally head first and face down.  Dwayne, who was rigging people into the harnesses, explained that this method takes more guts as you have to throw yourself forward off the platform to launch.  Not a ride for everyone which is why you can only attempt this on your third zip of the day after two regular zip experiences.

I can only see the popularity of this ride increasing as thrill seekers look for new and different activities to experience closer to home. Searching the web this is the one of a few zip-lines to be found in California.  We visited on a Monday morning and it definitely was the thing to be doing whether you were ten years old or sixty five.  Children need to weigh at least 70lbs and then additional weight is added to the harness to help them cruise all the way down.  Younger children can be double harnessed to an adult as long as the combined weight is less than 260lbs.

From the heat and thrills of zip lining to the natural beauty of the Gold Country landscape we were ready to head home.  Experiencing the zip was something we shall not forget too soon and most assuredly will return, that is unless I find myself in Costa Rica rain forest pretty soon...hint, hint, hubby!


Moaning Cavern
5350 Moaning Cavern Rd. Vallecito, CA.
886 762 2837
209 736 2708
http://www.caverntours.com

Photos Courtesy Jane Haworth © 2008
© 2008 Jane Haworth