Cory Cave
This is a small cave, within walking distance of Massey's Cave. It has less than 100 feet of passage. It may once have been part of the main dry fork cave system.
Ricks Spring Cave - 2,200+ ft. long
There are two caves at Ricks Spring. One is the small entrance you can see just left of the spring. It extends back about 25' and then turns to the right and dead ends into a round room. The second cave is inside the spring itself. As it turns out, the spring is a continuation of the Logan river that has found its way into a natural fissure and ends up resurfacing here. There is currently an estimated 2,200 ft. of explored underwater passage. At one point it opens up to a dry area with a waterfall that required some climbing, then the cave continues even further underwater. You can read more about it here after signing up for a free subscription. http://thedecostop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40220
The following pictures are courtesy of Wendell Nope and Josh Thornton of inside the submerged Ricks Springs Cave. You can see all the pictures from the trip on Wendell's website (http://www.wendellnope.com/rickspic.htm)
After nearly 2000' of passage a waterfall and open cavern is encountered.
Above the falls the passage continues submerged until this breakdown stops any further progress in the cave. Hopefully in the next few trips they will be able to break through and map another 2300' of passage!
This sign is just inside the entrance. How many of you would turn around once you read it?
Snow Canyon Lava Tubes
Snow Canyon, outside of St. George has a variety of small lava tubes that can be fun to explore. None of the ones I've been in are deep enough that you are unable to see daylight. But they still provide a fun experience. Maps of some of them can be found on the website for the Timpanogas Grotto:Massey's Cave
Massey's Cave (aka Main Dry Fork Cave) is a frequently visited and vandalized cave. It's easily accessible with a passenger car, and easily spotted. If you're looking for a pristine wilderness type of cave, this is not it. But it is a fun little cave if one is in the area. It has about 1300 feet of passage, and has a few speleothems.
Dan Clyde Cave
Michael Mimbach and Spencer Coles at the entrance to Dan Clyde Cave. Michael was kind enough to be our guide for this trip and show us the ins' and outs' of the canyon. It is a very interesting and beautiful place with a lot of potential for some more big caves.
Spencer down climbing the entrance pit.
Looking up from the bottom of the entrance pit.
Michael on rope starting the 60' descent into the pit. This is the largest drop in the cave and quite a spacious room.
You can see how much water has been coming down this pit.
From a ledge midway down the largest pit Shane took this great shot. It is difficult to see how large this cavern is in these photos, but it is an impressive one. Even more impressive are the log jambs right up near the ceiling, indicating that this pit fills completely with water in heavy run off years. The small white dot (bottom middle) is Spencer's headlamp at the bottom of the pit.
Michael dropping the last 15' into the big pit.
Michael looking into a muddy lower passage. In the bottom of the big room there are 4 small leads that will take you into some of the tighter passages of the cave.
Spencer attempting to climb a lead into an upper passage.
On the floor of the big room is this interesting feature. The dripping water is eroding away the sand that is not protected by small pieces of wood.
Spencer exploring one of the tighter slots at the bottom of the pit.
Looking up from the bottom of the large pit. Spencer on rope, ascending out of the big room.
The road is best traveled by four wheeler (or Polaris Ranger) as it is very narrow and quite rough. We made it just fine (but much slower) in the 4Runner adding only a few more scratches to the many it already has.
Spencer exploring one of the tighter slots at the bottom of the pit.
Looking up from the bottom of the large pit. Spencer on rope, ascending out of the big room.
Looking up from the bottom of the large room. Spencer on rope, ascending out of the big room.
The road is best traveled by four wheeler (or Polaris Ranger) as it is very narrow and quite rough. We made it just fine (but much slower) in the 4Runner adding only a few more scratches to the many it already has.
We really had a great day! Thanks again Michael!
Chert Valley Cave
While the cave only extended down into the mountain a good 50' or so until it was plugged with silt, next years run off could push through the plug and turn this cave into one of Utah's most extensive cave systems.
Lost Josephine Cave
This is a natural cave that has been mined for several years. It is not very exciting unless you know which turn to take, and most who visit here never see the beautiful formations within. There are still active mining operations underway, and visits there are prohibited. We are currently working with the owners of the claim to survey the tunnels, as well as develop a management plan so that the cave can be visited when mining operations are inactive.
There are three entrances in this photo, with several others around the hill.
Every tunnel is wet and covered in red clay. Don't expect to get your clothes clean after exploring this one.
The only graffiti are some old charcoal dates and names.
This is just inside the main entrance.
There are several mined tunnels that shoot of in every direction. This lower one is typically filled with water until late in the year.
You can actually see the crystals forming in the bead of water.
Many places look like you have been swallowed and are in the belly of a beast.
Unfortunately there has been some damage throughout the cave. There are so many formations it is difficult to maneuver around them.
There are three entrances in this photo, with several others around the hill.
Every tunnel is wet and covered in red clay. Don't expect to get your clothes clean after exploring this one.
The only graffiti are some old charcoal dates and names.
This is just inside the main entrance.
There are several mined tunnels that shoot of in every direction. This lower one is typically filled with water until late in the year.
You can actually see the crystals forming in the bead of water.
Many places look like you have been swallowed and are in the belly of a beast.
Unfortunately there has been some damage throughout the cave. There are so many formations it is difficult to maneuver around them.
Yellowstone Cave
This small cave is really more closely related to a grotto, since it never achieves complete blackness and is not more than 50 ft. long. It really only goes back 15 ft. or so and is covered in guano and rat droppings and nests. This has to be one of the filthiest caves I have ever been into.
The entrance is an easy scramble to get inside.
Looking back downhill from inside.
Spencer in the guano covered cave.
Spencer looking at some guano covered quartz crystals.
The entrance is an easy scramble to get inside.
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