Пещера Караульная-2

Karaulnaya-2 Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Krasnoyarsk. On the left bank of the Yenisei River, on Mount Karaulnaya, 5 km from Krasnoyarsk, near the village of Udachny. Between Udachny and Izvestkovy. Use Google or Yandex maps, enter Karaulnaya-2 cave in the navigator. (55.973259, 92.588933)
Open:	All year Mon-Sat 11, 12:30, 14, 15:30, 17, Sun 9, 11, 12:30, 14, 15:30, 17. By appointment only. Arrive 15 minutes earlier. [2021]
Fee:	Adults RUB 500, Children (7-14) RUB 300, Children (3-6) RUB 150, Seniors RUB 300, Students RUB 300. Individual: 1 RUB 2500, 2-3 RUB 1350, 4-6 RUB 850, 7-12 RUB 700, 13+ RUB 600. [2021]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	Karaulnaya-1: Karaulnaya-2: L=580 m. Karaulnaya-3: L0100 m, VR=24m. T=4 °C.
Guided tours:	D=80min, MinAge=3.
Photography:
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:	V.I. Chernov, G.Yu. Yamskikh (2020): Reconnaissance Assessment Of The Recreational Potential Of Specially Protected Natural Areas Of The Krasnoyarsk Basin. Bulletin of Udmurt University. Series Biology. Earth Sciences. 30. 427-437. 10.35634/2412-9518-2020-30-4-427-437.
Address:	Peshchera Karaul'naya, Krasnoyarsk Krai, 663083, Tel: +7-391-205-13-01. Altamira, Krasnoyarsk, pr.Krasnoyarsky worker d.179, +7-391-292-55-30. E-mail: Reservation, Tel: +7-908-212-55-01.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1960s

cave becomes known, is frequented and heavily damaged.

Description

Пещера Караульная-2 (Karaulnaya-2 Cave) is a set of three caves located on a hill of the Karaulnenskoe Upland near Krasnoyarsk. All three have the same name, which is a little confusing, so they were numbered. Actually the show cave is called Karaulnaya-2. Karaulnaya-1 is an undeveloped cave to the northeast which is difficult to find. Karaulnaya-3 is a pothole which is 8 m deep and followed by a 100 m long and 24 m deep passage and also undeveloped.

п. Караульная - 2 (Karaulnaya-2) became first widely known in the 1960s. Unfortunately due to its popularity, the cave was heavily damaged. The visitors left rubbish and graffiti, and destroyed speleothems. As a result the entrance was closed with a massive wall and a thick door.

The entrance to this cave is located at the foot of a limestone cliff. The debris from the cliff forms a pile of rocks in front of the entrance, a staicase leads down to the cave entrance- The descending natural entrance is a cold trap. Once the cave contained ice which stayed over summer, currently the ice melts in late spring. This is obviously a result of the wall which keeps the cold air outside. Nevertheless, the entrance chamber is still called Ledovy (Icy).

The road to the cave branches off the highway along the river Yenisei at the sign "Na Karaulnaya Pesheru". It is narrow and a little rough, and many people do not want to drive it. From the road it's a one km walk to the cave, half way is a parking lot, where you can also leave your car. From here you have to walk up to the cave a long staircase. At the end of the road is a farm and from here it's only a few meters to the cave, downstairs at the foot of a cliff. Tours are held by Altamira, they are daily at fixed times, but only after appointment by phone. You have to be there 15 minutes before the booked time, otherwise your registration will be canceled and tickets will be sold on a first come , first served basis. A minimum number of 10 visitors per tour is required. However, if the participants pay the higher fee, individual tours are possible from one participant on.

On the top of the hill is an excellent outlook with a nice view on the Yenisei river. There is also the starting point of a trail named Спелеолога (Speleologa) which offers further views and some interesting karst features.