Prior to my family vacation this summer in Northern Alabama, I had no clue how many cavernous regions there were in the state of Alabama. After some extensive research on the area, I came across Stephens Gap Cave, and I am quite thankful that I did. Stephens Gap Cave is one of the only vertical caves in the state of Alabama, and one of its most unique qualities is that the bottom of the cave is completely accessible by foot. This cave is open to hikers, cavers, and adventure travel enthusiasts alike thanks to the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, a 501(c)3 non profit, who work to protect and conserve these sites…