Finding The Cave of Kelpius
I've been exploring Wissahickon park pretty regularly for the past 5-7 years but never got around to seeing the Cave of Kelpius. Spending most of my hiking time in the northwest section of the park I had to voyage down south a bit to an area I am not as familiar with. I left my house in west philly with only a vague idea of where the mysterious cave was located, a bottle of water, and a nikon digital camera.
If you are not familiar with the history of the cave here is a little background from wikipedia:
Johannes Kelpius (1667–1708) was a German Pietist, mystic, musician, and writer, interested in the occult, botany, and astronomy, who came to believe with his followers in the "Society of the Woman in the Wilderness" that the end of the world would occur in 1694. This belief, based on an elaborate interpretation of a passage from the biblical Book of Revelation, anticipated the advent of a heavenly kingdom somewhere in the wilderness during that year. Kelpius felt that the seventeenth-century Province of Pennsylvania, given its reputation for religious toleration at the edge of a barely settled wilderness, was the best place to be. Philadelphia had been founded in 1682, but the city and the Province of Pennsylvania had quickly become a tolerant haven and refuge for many pietist, communitarian, or free-thinking groups who were leaving an intolerant Old World for the congenial religious climate of the British colony. Kelpius and his followers crossed the Atlantic and lived in the valley of the Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia from 1694 until his death. It is reported that they lived communally, though they also spent time in solitary meditation in caves and small cells scattered about their common living quarters. Though no sign or revelation accompanied the year 1694, the faithful, known as the Hermits or Mystics of the Wissahickon, continued to live in celibacy, searching the stars and hoping for the end.
From the brief google searching I did before I left most people suggested starting the trip from hermit lane. You can only get to this section of hermit lane from henry ave (by car) but once you get there just park your car somewhere on the left side of the street. Here is the map and path I used.
After you park start walking down Hermit lane until you reach a smaller side street also called Hermit lane and start walking. You will reach a trail head.
There are two entrances here and I decided to take the one straight ahead past that barrier.
After walking a minute or two you will reach another fork in the path. Originally I took a right at this sign and walked for quite a bit. Being that I had no idea where I was going I decided to turn back to the main path and take it down to the bike trail. Im sure you can get to the cave from that side trail though.
After about 5 minutes on the main path you will dead end at the stream/bike trail. Take a right and walk about a quarter mile down the trail. At this point I still had no idea what to be looking for. Some people said there is a distinct trail and others said its not as obvious. I kept my eyes peeled and finally came across a very obvious trail and decided to see where it led...
I hiked up this trail for about 5-8 minutes, still not sure where the hell I was going, and ... ALAS! Something weird in the distance...
Even though it is broad daylight approaching the cave is a bit spooky. Its pitch black inside and you really dont know if anyone (or thing) is in there until you peek your head in.
In a news article I read from a few years ago it mentioned that there was a geo-cache inside where travelers leave things for future travelers to take with them. As I explored inside I was a little bummed (but not surprised) to find no geo-cache box. I had brought along one of my handmade keychain lanyards to leave for the next visitor and decided to leave it anyways.
I couldnt figure out how to photograph the inside of the cave because it is almost pitch black inside. This rock is stationed right in the middle of the cave and that is where I decided to leave my offering.
If you are hiking or biking in the area I highly suggest checking this place out. Its only a couple minutes off the main trail and pretty damn creepy. Maybe the lanyard will be there for you to take home.
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