Josh Hydeman's photos capture lava caves dating back 8,000 YEARS
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Stretching for more than two miles and hundreds of feet underground, these are the stunning networks of caves buried under Washington, US.
The spectacular tubes display a kaleidoscope of colours - formed more than 8,000 years ago by lava flows stacking on top of each other inside a deep canyon.
Photographer Josh Hydeman, 33, explored the breathtaking formation, which is 325ft below the ground, with fellow adventurers Eric Guth, Garry Petrie and Jason George.
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Going underground: Josh Hydeman captured this incredible photo of a network of caves tunnelling beneath Washington
Experienced climbers: The group said the cave network - which formed more than 8,000 years ago - would not be suitable for beginners
The experienced group said they were skilled enough to take the network of caves - but admitted for an inexperienced explorer, the route would be deadly.
Josh, from Portland, Oregon, said: 'The cave was first mapped in 1993 - we found out about it through a grotto which is the name of a caving club.
'On the west coast all cave locations are kept secret so access is gained by word of mouth.
'For this cave you can actually drive almost to the very entrance - plenty of other caves require long hikes but not this one.
Stunning colours: The cave network was formed thousands of years ago by layers of lava building on top of each other inside a deep canyon
It is believed the cave system under Washington was first explored by children after loggers discovered it
'It's a very unique lava cave as most are one level or one tube but this is five.
'And it's colourful with bright enough lights. At points in the cave there are water drips, season streams, seasonal waterfalls and things like that. The temperature is in the 50s(f).
'The cave has its dangers. There are places you need to climb on rock which is unstable and there are many pits you need to navigate using technical rope work where an inexperienced explorer could most certainly kill themselves.'
What lies beneath: The colourful network of caves stretch for more than two miles under Washington state
Long way down: Adventurer Eric Guth explores the cave network under Washington, with photos taken by Josh Hydeman
There are different rumours for how the cave was first discovered but Josh revealed one where it is believed children found it.
He added: 'It's said loggers knew of it and their kids decided to explore it. They had gone in past the first 10ft vertical pitch and to the first lava falls which is a 40ft drop.
'The children went down on a rope which was apparently short of the floor but went down anyway, each dropping off the end.
Incredible images: The towering structures are buried deep underground and formed thousands of years ago. Right, Eric Guth exploring the caves
'When they went to exit, the rope was beyond their reach, so they built a pile of loose rocks high enough that it could be reached.
'Luckily one of them was strong enough to climb up and get help so the parents came back and hauled the rest up.
'The upshot of this near disaster was the parents decided the cave was dangerous - and being loggers had access to dynamite.
'They placed explosives and brought the entrance down and it was how the original cavers found it - a sink with a headwall on the south end and a pile of lava boulders at the bottom.'
Beautiful formations: The rocks - explored by Eric Guth - formed hundreds of feet underground after lava layers built in a deep canyon
Don't look down! The explorers had to navigate dangerous routes and small entry points to take photos of the incredible cave system
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