Recently went up with a few friends. Stayed on Crooked Lake, right next to Gillis.
Camped on the middle island site, in the middle of Crooked Lake, site 513.
One afternoon, we decide to go on a long hike.
Low and behold we found a cave!
Easily fit 6 people

Question remains...was it man made? or from nature? Bear den? Fox den?

By far the most natural, beautiful, unassuming thing I have ever seen on my trips to the BW. How cool!!!
Unfortunately, we forgot to take pictures of this wonderful cave!(Some memories are best kept in the mind and in the memory :) )

Does anyone else have experience with this cave?
It was about a 10-15min hike behind the campsite.

There were a bunch of test pits dug in that general area back in the 1890s to see if iron mining was feasible. I’m guessing that is what the cave is.

Thanks inspector! Did not know that area had test pits, really cool!

this cave didn't seem to show any signs of chisels, explosions or pick axes or anything like that. It was only about 5 feet deep maybe.
We found it underneath a high hill with protruding rocks.

cave was longer than it was wide.

If i had to guess it would be a bear den or fox den.

Really regretting not taking pictures! Ugh

Yeah there were even three timber lined mines in that general area, with the Paulson mine (over a hundred feet deep) being the largest. They were partially filled back in with rubble after Paulson’s company failed. Next time you are in the Tower-Sudan area, check out the older shallower mine pits in that state park. There doesn’t seem to be signs of pick axe or chisel marks there either.

finding this cave would be a great adventure for the teen grand kids next trip - thanks for the idea

Oh man I wish this was posted like a week earlier, I traveled through Crooked on the 14th it would have been cool to check out.

can you point it our on a map for us.. or was it on the island

This cave was so awesome.
I'm still in shock that we found it.

It is behind campsite 513. It is in the woods quite a bit of ways. Follow the trail back to the toilet. Then head down a steep hill and back up another I believe.
If you can find the small steam of water, it is very close
I will try and locate on map for all

quote Grandma L: "finding this cave would be a great adventure for the teen grand kids next trip - thanks for the idea"

Hi Grandma L

Perfect idea for the grand kids.
If you can, try and get campsite 513 on Crooked Lake.
Take the campsite in the middle of the three islands.
Campsite has little cliffs to jump off, very safe and plenty deep.
Great beach landing for canoes.

Behind the campsite is the cave and stream.
Stream was very hidden and awesome to play and splash around in.

quote Grandma L: "finding this cave would be a great adventure for the teen grand kids next trip - thanks for the idea"

Also Grandma L -

included here is a picture.
Red circle to left is campsite.
Other circles are possible cave locations!

quote inspector13: "
There were a bunch of test pits dug in that general area back in the 1890s to see if iron mining was feasible. I’m guessing that is what the cave is.
"

It still isn't...