Hiking Guam with the Guam Boonie Stompers, Inc. - Nimitz Caves & Fonte Dam
This hike was rated at a medium difficulty due to the tight spaces in the caves and the hike back up from the dam. I personally would have rated it as easy because I looove the cave hikes and didn't think the hike back was all that bad.
We started with Nimitz Caves, which is labeled as "Japanese Caves" at the start of the trail head. This hike is directly off route 6 and conviently located across the street from a large parking lot. I couldn't find the trail head on Google Maps even though the Fonte Dam trail was pinpointed. The "Japanese Caves" trailhead is just down the road from the "Historical Trail" signs that start the Fonte Dam trail. So if you find the Fonte Dam trail, you can find the caves!
We visited two caves on the trail which they called the "corkscrew cave" and the "hospital cave". We started off at the corkscrew cave and made our way down into the darkness. Luckily there is a rope that runs the length of the cave so it's easy to stay on track and when you reach the end of the rope, you've completed the cave! Except for the climb back up, of course. There are numerous tight spaces you have to shimmy through on your back or stomach. Watch your head and don't attempt the cave without a flashlight! Headlamps work best.
The hospital cave was next, which is just a sharp left off the main trail... easy to miss if you're not looking for it. The trail is extremely well marked and it was easier to spot on the way back from the first cave... this way, it's on your right. The hospital cave is known for its use by the Japanese to treat their wounded during the war. We were told every now and then old glass medicine vials can be found. We didn't find any even though there was tons of shattered glass scattered about the floor. The large opening at the start of the cave is why it was used to treat wounded, even though there are some tight places to crawl down towards the back. As we descend into the cave, we spotted lots of formations. The coolest thing I saw that I don't think I had seen before was stalactites in the process of formation. The very tip of the stalactites appeared to be dripping of water... when touched, the "water" broke off. It was cool to get a closer look at a process of their formation and of course, as always, the beautiful sparkling calcite formations. This cave doesn't have as many tight spaces so it's probably best to warm up here and then head to the challenge of the corkscrew cave. Also, on the way out, our group noticed an old worn down sign that we didn't see on the way in... We could barely make out the words "KEEP OUT" so enter at your own risk!!!
Onto the Fonte Dam swimhole to cool down and to rinse of the filth of the caves! Super easy start to this trail, just follow the power lines down the hill until a trail on the left emerges.
This stone marks the beginning of the trail on the left of the power lines. It can be overgrown and easy to miss if not sought out. This trail is highly traveled though so the path is easy to stay on. After an simple walk through the jungle, the path reaches a clearing of long grass overlooking a valley. Not much further from here!
Following the trail down to the dam, there is a rope tied along the edge of the path as you approach the stream. Definitely use it on the way back up, someone in front of me lost their footing and almost had a really bad fall! The dam is nice for some picture taking and admiration, but the fun lies at the swimhole downstream. Again, the trail is clearly marked and is on the left side of the stream so you can stay dry for the most part if you choose to do so. As we approach the swimhole, there is a part where you either have to get waist deep in water or shimmy-climb along the rock wall on the right.
Once at the swimhole a nice cool dip and clothes washing can be enjoyed. It is possible to do some jumping as well! Just always climb down and check the water levels and feel for the rocks at the bottom first. I jumped twice and both times my feet lightly touched a large rock in the water.
I am definitely going to bring my dog to this hike sometime. Not the caves though, he'd probably be too scared. 😂 This is a great hike for kids as well, fairly easy and lots of exploring to do!
Check out the short video below for a closer look at the hikes!
Guam Boonie Stompers, Inc. meets every Saturday at 9AM!
https://www.facebook.com/GuamBoonieStompersInc/
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