Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Gave Official Map and Guide ,-t/ ,Yefr-fi 4"Y' National Park Kentucky National Park Service U.S. Department of the lnterior lnto the Darkness Since the dayswhen prehistoric lndians explored the cave by the light of cane reed torches, Mammoth has inspired the imagination, tested the courage, and awakened the senses of visitors. Ancient artifacts and well preserved human mummies found in Mammoth indicate that people began venturing into the cave as many as 4,000 years ago. Modern-day encounters with the cave began, according to legend, in the late 1790s when a hunter chasing a bear through the hills nearthe Green Riverstumbled across its gaping entrance. This opening today is called the Historic Entrance. At f irst just a curiosity, Mammoth became a valuable commercial property with the outbreak of the War of 1812 between the United Statesand England. Cave sedimentswith abundant quantities of nitrate, an essential ingreWoven sandals and other artifacts have been found in Mammoth Cave, evidence that prehistoric lndians ventured into its chambers. The items are remarkably well preserved because of the cave's constant cool temperatures and stable humidity. dient of gunpowder, were mined by slaves during the war. By the war's end, Mammoth was famous. lt soon became one of the nation's most popular attractions. Visitors came by stagecoach and by train to be led by guides through its mysterious subterranean world. "No ray of light but the glimmer of our lamps; no sound but the echo of our own steps; nothing but darkness, silence, immensity," is how one early visitor recalled his tour. Meanwhile, explorations were revealing more of Mammoth's wonders. Stephen Bishop, renowned guide and cave explorer, discovered miles of passages, under- Early cave tour grollps sometimes stopped for a picnic, as shown in this 1880 etching. p -t.e__ '=.ffi ,{ffi F$ *TW ground rivers, and gypsum-decorated chambers in the mid-18OOs. Later explorers followed where Bishop left off, pushing the known extent of Mammoth even further, or, like Kentucky farmer Floyd Collins, discovering other caves nearby. Meanwhile, extraordinary events took place in the cave. ln the 1800s and early 190Os there were weddings, performances by Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth and singer Jenny Lind, and the establishment of a hospital for tuberculosis patients in the cave. At the same time, support was growing to protect Mammoth's natural wonders. Finally in 1941 Mammoth Cave National Park was established to preserve knowledge of the cave, his daring explorations, his many discoveries, and his wit and humor. Cover photo: Mammoth Gave's most striking feature is its vast, incomprehensible size. row passage ol Sand Cave, a rock fell on his ankle, trapping him. Collins waited in the dark-cold, unable to move, and alone. The next day he was found, and rescue attempts began. Risking death themselves, Collins' lamily, friends, and strangers tried to lree him. Newspapers and radio stations across the country carried lrequent reports on their efforts. Finally a shatt was drilled and on the 1Sth day of his entrapment rescuers reached him, but it was too late. Gollins was dead. Today his body is entombed in Crystal Stephen Bishop was a legend in his own time. The self-educated black slave, who began guiding visitors through the cave in 1838 at the age of 17, became famous for his The tragedy of Floyd Collins locused the attention of the nation on Kentucky's cave region in 1925. Collins was an enthusiastic cave explorer. ln 1917 he discovered Crystal Cave, and in 1925 he found another cave near Mammoth that he called Sand Cave. One day, while exploring a nar- Cave. The remains ol an 1843 hospital in Mammoth Cave experimentaltuberculosis can still be seen. its maze of passages, its cavernous domes and pits, its underground rivers and lakes, and its unusual animals. At the time, 4O miles of cave had been discovered and mapped. Since then, explorations by cavers have shown that this is the world's most extensive cave system, one that is more than 3O0 miles long . . . so far. And visitors continue to come by the thousands, drawn by the dark frontier that is Mammoth Cave. Frmm the heg*nrtlng, atndwrgn*u*d expl*rers d*t*htsd tkmt tfa*y w*a.xfid errsr fitt# the mm# mf &fi*ry*ry?*ttt #xw*" T*d*y, th* *mve st$tl seecyls ts he a avi$#*rffis$s withrut h*urndmrE**" Ytte ffimsmrwotk s&rs& $yst*m Sses $m mrcd mn fflsf,s thmm SS* nx*Ees *$ km*wm p*s- f*r $*Sss! and th&r'e is ymt ry*sr* #&s* tm b* *xp!*red" !t Bm th* $*ngmst effive in the ur{>r$*" hl* *ther *sv& sv*m #*ffi!#s s**s*" $a: t$:is v**t *ubterraneanircr*d, ttrere are gl*nt v*nfr**m$ shmfts, $r*nr the tow*rtng t$?-f**t-l}*gh ffi*mmryth ffiorme t* thtw "$S$-f**hde*p f;[*ttorn$mss Fit. $om$ pe$$egss srrd rs*rm$ *r* decmrm€*# w$tk spmrkNiary w*t*t* $yBsun'l *rystmBs, wh$te *ther* mrm f*lfimd w*t&: the *m$*Sarl s*uipted sha$es w$ s&m*m*titex, rt*lmgrm$t*** mm# *ther *trv& f*rm*ti*ns. t&rtder€F*umd rEwers, wlth i't&tyt&s l*km ff*hm ffiiver nnd Ehe ffirv*r'$tyx, fl$w tkrma*gh fu$amrcstF:'s *ewpest *harmbers. &nd in th* cmv*'s mb$m$ut* b{**km*sm dws*l ffiteffiy rmre mmd umerse.*mE e*l- ffix*l$, incle*din$ *y*$m*s tish, #h*st*y whiBe sp&**rs, ffim* bi*nd heettes" Visitors at Mammoth Cave's Historic Entrance. ( The Wild Cave Tour strays ofl the beaten track and into some of the more remote corners of Mammoth. lt is for adventurers who relish the idea of crawling along muddy passages, squeezing through tight holes, and scrambling over boulders bythe lightof a headlamp. .^, The Ruinsof Karnak, giant water-carved limestone columns in Mammoth Dome, tower above visitors on a tour of Mammoth Cave. ^l Stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, flowstone, and other cave formations are concentrated in the Drapery Room and otherchambers and passages in the Frozen Niagara section of Mammoth Cave. An Mammoth Cave is the centerpiece of dne of the greatest cave regions in the world. Thia area, with its multitude of limestone caves, underground rivers, springs, and sinkholgs,,is known as a karst landscape. Water has been |he guiding force in the creation of this landscape, including the intricate labyrinth of Mammotlr. Underground water working in cracks and between rock layers has carved out Mammoth Cave's long, horizontal passageways over the past jseveral million years. The upper passages, drlr today, were hollowed out thousands of year{ ago; the lower passages are still being enlarged by the flowing waters of Echo River and othdr underground streams. Mammoth's huge vertipal shafts, called pits and domes, have been creirted by groundwater seeping downward through sink- of the cave's drier chambers; the rest of the formations appear in some of the wetter chambers. Since the creation of Mammoth Cave, unusual fish, shrimp, crayfish, crickets, spiders, beetles, molds, and mushrooms have taken up residence in its protective environment of cool darkness. Many of the cave animals are blind, or nearly so, and some lack skin pigments as From Our National Parks, O 1 985, The Reader's Digest Association, lnc The landscape of the Mammoth Cave area: I sinkhole, 2 sandstone caprock, 3 horizontal pas- Blind craylish sage, 4 underf round river, 5 vertical i;haft, 6limestone layers. in decorating parts of the cave with formations, stalactites, stalag m ites, and flowstone. The delicate gypsum occur on the walls, ceilings, and floo peries, ons of some W Blindlish a result of living in the total blackness of the cave. Although sightless, many have other highly developed senses. Blindfish have extremely sensitive organs on their head and body that enable them to feel their way through the water. Cave crickets have exceptionally long antennae to perform essentially the same function on land. Other animals, such as bats and some cave salamanders,spend only part of their lives in the cave. The cave cricket, like other animals that live in Mammoth Cave, iswell adapted to its environment of perpetual darkness and a con- stant 54o F temperature. The cricket uses extraIong, extra-sensitive antennae to hunt for food and maneuver about the cave. Gypsum needles o E o o @ I N o o o + Color photos by Chip Clark -'!t i A variety ol ranger-guided tours ol Mammoth Cave and a tour ol nearby Great Onyx Cave are oflered. These tours range lrom % mile and 1% hours long to 5 miles and 6 hours. Five tours are offered all year; four others, only in the summer. Tickets lor all tours except the Wild Cave Tour can be purchased at the visitor center on the same day ol the tour; ad- vance tickets are available through Ticketron reservation outlets across the country for all tours except the wild cave and Echo River Tours- Reseryalions can be made lor the Wild Cave Tour by contacting the park. Tours are given every day except December 25. Tour members meel at the visitor center and then walk or take a bus to the cave entranee where their tour begins. See the ma[.i at right for locations ol tile visitor cen- lndian artilacts and a 19thcentury underground hos- Room, wheru'r lunch issold, and restroor:ts are avai!able on sor,a tours. Children 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 8 to 12 can partie llrate in a special guided exploralion of the surlace and a small cave; reservations are taken at the 'rr'isitor center. ihrough the narrow pas- ter and cav{r 'Bnlrances. The Snowblrli Dining @ The Historfiar Tour (2 miles, 2 hours) lraces Mammoth's rong and colorlul history. The tour begins at the Historic Entranee. lt goes inio the Botunda, where nemnants ol 19th-century nitrate mining operations are preserYed, then continues along Broadrray and Main Cave, chambers where Tuberculosis Hospital Ruins ll/lammoth Dome River Styx ar*" a"rr$ Chief City Echo River 360 leet betow suilace Kimper Hall pital can be seen. The tour leads over Bottomless Pit, sagecalled Fat Man's Misery, up Mammoth Dome, and back lo the Historic Entrance. The Half Datr Tour (4 miles,4% hours) explores many of Mammoth's natural leatures. The tour descends through Garmichael Entrance and leads through gypsum-decorated Cleaveland Avenue, Snowball Dining Room, and through the long and winding Boone and Kentucky Avenues. Cave animals may be seen. The latter part ol the tour lollows the Frozen Niagara Tour route and exits al Fro- zen Niagara Entrance. The Frozen Niagara lour (3/q mile, 1% hours) of subterranean chambers lilled with colorlul stalactites, stalagmites, and massive llowstone lormations begins at New Entrance. The tour descends 280 steps through a series of pits and domes and finally ends at Frozen Niagara Entrance. The trip includes a visit to Moonlight Dome and Crystal Lake. The Presidential Tour (lo mile,1 I hours) is a less strenuous version ol the Frozen Niagara Tour. ll is designed for elderly persons. The trip begins and ends at Frozen Niagara Entrance. The Disabllrd Tour exits at Violet City Entrance. sons and assi:itants, begins with a ride ini':r Mammoth's depths on th * cave's serv- The Echo River Tour (%miae,1% nours), for physically irrpaired per- ice elevatol: The tour includes Snouirball Dining Room and pr rrt ol Cleaveland Avenue,. lt ends with an elevator ride baek to the surtace. r{Ifr,f,ff+q,EIEEI The Lanter r Tour (3 miles, 3 h:urs) recreates an oldt,,ine tour of Mammoth, v.:hen guides led the way rrith kerosene lanterns. Thr: tour, which starts at the ,-listoric Entrance, follous the lirsl part of the Historrc Tour route, then continr. es into Main Cave and Ct,rief City. lt (3 miles, 3 hours) descends to Mammoth's deepest passages where Echo River and the River Styx tlow The tour, which begins and ends atthe Historic Entrance, includes a boat ride on Echo River. It also covers all the Historic Tour route. The Wild Gave Tour (5 miles, 6 hours) is a strenuous investigation ol a wild portion ol Mammoth Cave. The trip reguires stooping and belly- crawling through tight passages. Hard hats and headlamps are provided. The trip begins at Carmichael Entrance and ends at Frozen Niagara Entrance. The Great Onyr Gave Tour (1 mile,2/z hours) is a walk in a former commercial cave near Mammoth that is decorated with gypsum and many flowstone formations. Lanterns are provided. All cave tours are strenuous and require stooping and walking over unlevel terrain. All excepl The Disabled Tour require climbing steps. Most tours follow dry, smooth, hardsurlaced trails, but portions can be wet and slippery. Watch your step. Sturdy low-heeled walking shoes are recommended. Persons who have heart or respiratory problems or who have difficulty walking should talk with a ranger before deciding on a tour. Visitors must stay with their tour and stay on cave trails. Smoking in the cave is not permitted. Dining Room (restroom3) 267 leat below surlace Cleaveland's Cabinet Center Activities motorhomes. Seventy Ferry, and Dennison Ferry miles of trails wind through the park. Guided hikes are Headquarters, Houchins -are open all year on a lirst-come, f irst-served basis. All have toilets, grills, and tables; all but Dennison Ferry have water. Evening ranger programs are given in the summer at Headquarters and Houchins Ferry campgrounds and at an amphitheater near Headquarters Gampground. Large groups can call the park lor reservations al Maple Springs Group Camp. Backcountry camping is allowed with a permit. A picnic area is near the visitor center. To Brownsville, Molor Houchins Ferry Trail. not passable by trailers or Gamping, Picnieking Three campgrounds- oflered in summer. River Ttips Green River boat tourc ane offered lrom April through October. For reservations, stop at the visitor center or call (5O2) 758-2243. Canoeists can float the Green and Nolin Rivers. Park Lodging, Services Scenic Drives, Hikes The Mammoth Cave Hotel complex has hotel rooms! restaurant, and gasoline station open all year. Rustic cottages, a camp store, hot showers, and a coinoperated laundry are available from spring to lall. For more information, call Joppa Ridge Motor Nature Trail, a 2-mile dirl-andgravel road. A drive guide is available. The road is Be alert for ticks, chiggers, and poisonous snakes. Do not leed wildlife. Motorists can tour a portion of the park on the (5O2)7s8-2225. Mammoth Gave Tour Area Mammoth Cave tour roules wind through the passages shown in this illustration. Many more miles ol chambers and &*r. ''' @ls corridors are not shown here. Altogether there are more than 3OO miles ol known passages in the Mammoth cave system. .lllustiation by Bichard Schl6cht Copyright O 1984, National ceographic Society Rbproduced by permission Mount McKinley (reslroomg) 195 leet below surfac€ Grand Cenlral Aero Bridge