The One Cave In New York That's Filled With Ancient Mysteries
By Lea Monroe|Published March 08, 2018
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Lea Monroe
Author
Writer for Only In Your State. Scribbling about all things New York and Buffalo related while also keeping you updated on the latest travel news! Inquiries: Lmonroe@onlyinyourstate.com
Something you would never just easily stumble upon, up in the small Adirondack town of Speculator you can find an unusually intriguing cave tucked away in the mountainside. Small in size but large enough for you to walk inside, the historic Kunjamuk Cave is roughly 8-feet wide and only 15-feet deep and full of intriguing history.
To reach the hidden cave you’ll need to either hike for almost 2-miles or bring with you a car that doesn’t sit low to the ground. After you reach the end of Elm Lake Road you’ll be met with signs that warn you that rough roads are ahead, often putting large rocks and monstrous potholes in your way.
While you may have a vehicle that’s good with more troublesome terrain like this, we still suggest taking the scenic way to Kunjamuk Cave by foot. The walk to Kunjamuk Cave is one that most find to be easy, a great family-friendly hike that will lead you somewhere exciting.
So, what exactly is the history of this small cave? The strange thing is… no one quite knows! Throughout history locals have dug into the past as far as they could to try and determine the origin of Kunjamuk Cave, only to come up empty-handed and full of more questions. Anyone who has paid a visit to Kunjamuk Cave can say with almost complete certainty that the cave itself was man-made, but you’ll still hear people around town debating on the origin of this nook in the mountains.
Local legend has it that the famous French Canadian hermit known as French Louie made Kunjamuk Cave his home during the cold winters in the early 1900s! Also known as Louis Seymour to many of us in New York, French Louie was known to roam around the Adirondack Mountains. Specifically seen camping around the Moose River Plains and setting up shot right in Speculator, some say French Louie may have made the cave. Those who step inside Kunjamuk Cave will find a small hole at the top, further provoking theories that someone made the cave for their own personal shelter.
In an area as secluded as the Adirondacks, it sometimes can be tricky to find what you’re looking for! To get directions to Kunjamuk Cave, check out the Google Map below!
