Ogof Hen Ffynhonnau (Poacher's)

Location
Grid Reference: SJ 191 655

Altitude: 140m

Situated above the Leete Footpath at the base of a small cliff about 250m downstream (NE) of Cilcain Bridge on the south side of the River Alyn.

Access
The entrance is normally open, but is is recommended that contact is made with the North Wales Caving Club which has access agreements in the Alyn Valey.

Description
The cave carries a large stream, and is below river level. Consequently it can flood to the roof, and care is required during wet weather. Before local lowering of the water table by mining, water resurged near the entrance.

The short entrance crawl leads to the top of a 5m pitch which requires a ladder. This drops into the old Dyer's Adit. A hole down on the left leads to Old Spring's Passage which is a crawl through silt banks. The cave continues accross a rock bridge over two pits leading to an active streamway. The water sinks into a hole in the floor which can be followed to an area below the rock bridge. Upstream leads to a large chamber with large stalagmite boss. The roof then lowers reaching the loose final chamber which is close to the River Alyn.

Part of the Alyn Valley SSSI.

History
Originally dug by the Northern Pennine Club in June 1973. Unaware of the involvement of the NPC, the NWCC broke through to Dyer' Adit and about 800m of passage a few weeks later. This gave rise to the cave's alternative name - Poacher's Cave.