Exploring Eluvial Cave in Austin, Texas.

Eluvial Cave is one of the lesser known secluded caves of Austin, Texas. Not too much information can be found out about Eluvial Cave. This news article will explain what Eluvial Cave is.

Eluvial Cave is a secluded small cave which is isolated and surrounded with miles of natural wildlife in a BCCP preserve in the Four Points neighborhood 6-10 miles northwest of Austin, Texas. Eluvial Cave is a privately owned located in a BCCP preserve which actually part of/in the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan. Now Eluvial Cave is located with in the same vicinity as Owl Eyes Cave, Penn Pit Cave, and Jollyville Plateau Cave are.

Species of the Austin Tooth Cave ground beetle, Bee Creek Cave harvestman, black-capped vireo, daddy-longlegs, crickets, pseudoscorpions, and Blind cave dwelling beetle can be found in Eluvial Cave since Eluvial Cave located in the Jollyville Plateau range which is part of the rugged and beautiful terrain of Western Travis County. The beetles are found in the Jollyville Plateau from Four Points (FM 620 and FM 2222). Bee Creek Cave harvestman are among the rare cave insects living in limestone fissures. Many limestone fissures can be found in Eluvial Cave. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/358789718/)

Eluvial Cave is a small cave which contains the endangered Texella reyesi. The endangered Texella reyesi has been known to inhabit this cave. (Ref: The Caves of the Balcones Conservation Plan, 1996)

There are many limestone fissures which can be found in Eluvial Cave. Eluvial Cave has features that appear unique at the surface which, in fact, actually be joined by subterranean connections. These subterranean connections could have a high possibility of connecting to other nearby caves within the perimeter area. There are other caves within the perimeter area. (Ref: https://digital.lib.usf.edu/SFS0054742/00001)

Large oak trees surround the entrance to Eluvial Cave. The entrance of this cave is 11 feet long before hitting a lower open bedding plane. There is a 5 foot drop at the entrance which descends into another 5 foot drop which leads to a floor drain. The most well known geological feature of Eluvial Cave is the lower open bedding plane.  (Ref: ftp://ftp.austintexas.gov/GIS-Data/WCD/WCD/Req/The_Caves_of_the_Balcones_Conservation_Plan.pdf)