Lava Beds National Monument - Caves

There are more than 200 caves at the Lava Beds National Monument which provided hiding-places and also acted as small fortresses for the Modoc Indians in their last battles against the American army in the years 1872/1873. In spite of the far superior U.S. forces, the Indians were able to hold out for six months. Some of the best-known caves bear descriptive names, such as Sentinel Cave, Catacombs Cave, Skull Cave (because so many skulls of mountain sheep were found there).