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Show Spelunking unfolds vfae mysteries ov whert voof; nature years tfo make By Steven Wallis Epress News Edifof Spelunking, cave exploring, or whatever name you want to adhere to one's urge to explore a misty dark hole, the activity has to be experienced experienc-ed to enjoyed. Of course you don't want to tackle a cave that will stifle your spelunker instincts, so Brush Creek Cave is a good cave to start with. It is located on the Red Cloud Loop, turn west off U-44. The trail leading to the cave is marked mark-ed with a Forest Service sign that says it is about a half a mile walk to the cave entrance. It is suggested to explore ex-plore the cave when spring runoff is over. During spring runoff a stream of water flows through the cave. Brush Creek Cave is known for the ice formations forma-tions in the entrance. Sometimes the entrance is filled with logs. Although the cave has never been completely mapped, it is a good family cave and a good way to whet the appetite. The cave is still a "young cave" and formations for-mations are limited. Another cave which is worth exploring explor-ing is the Little Brush Creek Cave, located several miles north of the Red Cloud Loop turnoff. Little Brush Creek Cave has several large rooms, one called the shower room because of water mist falling from the ceiling. Weeks can be spent exploring this cave. : . r . . , ; CASCADING DOWN a cave wall are thousands of stalactites which resemble a waterfall. Nil jr s ! s y .-i V;v V - f v. L - ......... vj- ,v SPELUNKER ARMED with two flashlights rounds corner of cave to find giant stalac- An "old cave" which has limited access ac-cess is the Whiterocks Cave on the rim of Whiterocks Canyon. Journey to Whiterocks Cave is reminiscent of "Journey to the Center of the Earth," as the 2,000 ft. climb to the cave is like the climb into the volcano in the Jules Verne novel. The 45 degree temperature of the cave is a welcome feeling after the 22-hour hike to the cave. The entrance to the cave is locked, but tours can be arranged through the Forest Service. Presently the Forest Service is offering four tours a summer sum-mer through Whiterocks Cave. A. C. Wilkerson, one of the first explorers ex-plorers of the cave, said when he tites hanging from ceiling like icicles. entered it he found moccasin prints in the sand. Upon further investigation of the cave he and some companion found a skull that is said to have been in the cave for 100 years. Wilkerson claims that there is a "mystery" to the cave which upon further fur-ther exploration might be uncovered. Maybe it is that "mystery" that lures many to dabble in cave exploration. Another local cave which may stir your curiosity is the Massey Cave in Dry Fork Canyon. There are some limited formations in the cave and access ac-cess is easy. Along with the mystery of cave exploration ex-ploration is also some danger. It is recommended to always take fresh batteries and a flashlight, jacket, and good hiking boots before entering any cave. It is best to go with someone who has been in the cave before. Other precautions should be taken, if sleeping overnight, for bats and pack rats who make their nests in caves. Usually encounters with cave rodents are rare. If you have a strong stomach, digging digg-ing in a pack rat's nest can reveal old newspapers, bones, wrappers and who knows what else the little critters might haul in. But then again, who knows what mystery lies in a cave? 'Hi I'M. " " STALACTITES HANG in disarray as one of the many spectacles spec-tacles of spelunking. . . : 1 ' - - ' - v ' '. . - . . .- ' ... , ". ;r '' ' - . '- ;. -y t ".'"'.".. ' ' t '-' - - . -'-'. " -?' r r ' ' -.. ' i ? "' V.' ', : S ENTRANCE TO Big Brush Creek Cave does not appear inviting, but who knows what lies beyond. |