Wind Cave

Wind Cave National Park South Dakota National Park Service U.S. Department of the lnterior #t* Popcorn and helictites Flowstone and stalactites "... we made our way down the stairway against the very strong wind and then began our descent proper, into the wonderful, indescribably wonderful cave-down, down into the very 'bowels of the earth."'-an early explorer of Wind Cave, 1890. What tempted the first explorers of Wind Cave to leave behind their safe, familiar world and venture into the dark, unknown, almost lifeless depths of Wind Cave? Was it a search for hidden natural treasures? Alvin McDonald was not yet 1 8 when he began exploring Wind Cave in 1890. The diary he kept ol the cave's "inside workings" documents this systematic probe, which opened up many passages. Curiosity? Was it the thrill of going where no man or woman had gone before? The Wind Cave area has been protected since 1903 when it became our seventh national park. Although native Americans may have known of the cave, it was not discovered by white men until 1881 when two brothers, Jesse and Tom Bingham, noticed at the cave entrance. It was left to later adventurers like Alvin McDonald to follow that wind and unearth the cave's extensive network of passage- Park than its underground geological wonders. A diverse mix of wildlife, including bison, pronghorn, and prairie dogs, dwell in the 11,352 hectares (28,060 acres) of rolling grasslands, pine forests, hills, and ravines that cover its sunlit upper layer. Here you can see a small remnant of prairie and begin to imagine the scene that greeted westwardbound 19th century pioneers-not farms and cities, as today, but open plains stretching across the middle of the continent. A piece of that prairie is preserved here in its almost naturalstate. Visitors who toured Wind Cave before it became a national park in 1903 were led by private guides who provided candles to light the way. Groups often stopped to pose for a souvenir photograph. dous forces that uplifted the Black Hills cracked this area's limestone layers. Over millions of years water trickling through these fissures dissolved the rock and carved out the complex labyrinth of the cave. ways containing "boxwork," "popcorn" and "frostwork" formations, and other delicate, irreplaceable features. Young Alvin and others who explored the cave before the turn of It was after the cave formed that most of the colorful cave formations began to decorate its walls. One of the most prominent features in Wind Cave is "boxwork" (see top Wind Cave's early popularity gave rise to commercial ventures such as a stagecoach trip to the cave from Hot Springs. Handbills proclaimed the cave "the Great Freak of Nature." strrtetrrres o{ caleite that protrrrcle {rQm.the. Records of the earliest excursions into Wind Cave suggest that people entered the cave for all these reasons. Today visitors come to Wind Cave National Park to meander through some of the cave's more than 60 kilometers (37 miles) of passageways seeking similar experiences. However, don't let the park's name fool you. There is much more to Wind Cave National Wind Cave, one of the world's oldest caves, you would had to have been here at least 60 million years ago. Then, the same tremen- heard a loud whistling noise. The sound led them to a small hole in the ground, the cave's only natural opening. A wind was said to be blowing with such force out of the hole that it knocked Jesse's hat off. That wind, which gave the cave its name, is created by differ- ences between atmospheric pressures in the cave and outside. This wind can still be Helictite "bush" photograph)-thin, honeycomb-shaped walls and ceilings. Nowhere else in the world can such a large display be seen. Some of the better known cave formations, such as stalactites and stalagmites, are rare here. You might wonder if after more than 100 the century were fascinated by what they fou nd - chocolate-colored crystals, formations resembling faces or animals, and chambers that inspired names such as the "Garden of Eden" and the "Dungeon." Reports of these discoveries drew a stream of curious tourists to the cave. Local years of exploration there is anything new to discover in Wind Cave. There are more than a thousand passages yet to be explored. ln 1891 Alvin McDonald wrote in a diary of his cave trips: "Have given up the idea of find- ing the end of Wind Cave." The betterequipped spelunkers of today have not given up. They are continuing to push farther and farther into the cave's cool, black recesses. entrepeneurs, including the McDonald family, blasted open passages and guided tourists through for a fee. Cave specimens were removed and sold. Today the cave's fragile features are protected. To witness the beginning of the formation of Cover photo by Ed Coop€r Wildlile photos by Tom Bean A Sanctuary for Wildlife T I WW ' Vast open prairies cd'ir' f66l{1'ddbdptively empty. But take a closer look. A small dark shApe on the horizon may actually be a bison graiing knee-deep in bluestem and other grasses. You may glimpse a wellcamouflaged coyote hunting among the prairie dog "towns." slowly comes the realization that the nutrient-rich plants of the plains support an abundance of wildlife. When first established, Wind Cave National Park's main purpose was to protect the cave anrl 2gci5t r,, i.sifor.s in enioyinq it. 8r-tf bv 1,4.12" the protection and reestablishment of native wildlife within the park's boundaries was recognized as an equally important goal. I I Arnong the park's foremost missions as a wildlife sanctuary was the restoration of populations of bison, elk, and pronghorn to the Black Hills. By the late 1800s these animals had been eliminated from this part of their range, largely because of uncontrolled hunting. The story of the bison's return re* f lects the success of the park's management programs. Starting with 14 bison donated by the Bronx Zoo in 1913, the herd today numbers about 350. f)lhler wilrJIife ,inelr-rclin{l mrtle,-cl er. crrttnntaii raobits, and many kinds of birds, live in the prairies, forests, and hills of Wind Cave. Located near the middle of the country, the Mule deer park embraces animal and plant species common to both the East and West. Don t be surprised to see pinyon jays and ponderosa pines-both Western natives-and eastern bluebirds and American elms here. Regulations have been established to pro- tect you and park wildlife. Chasing or harassing wildlife is prohibited. Animals such as bison are wild and unpredictable, and may attack if disturbed. Prairie dogs may bite. Feeding wild animals is prohibited becausn it harms the animats Rattlesnakes sometimes live in.prairie dog burrows and can strike without warning. View animals at a safe distance and always be alert. Touringthe Park To Newell, S. D 5 o 10 kilometers 5 0 tt...-lll. lPaved Road '-a -I unnel -i ae\\g r't/ ^ -LY('.)" 10 miles josq"^ tf L- a V""" (_,1' !!Camooround 6 -'lUnoaved Road f*:Tl l l" 'o Devils Tower NM and Yellowstone NP Bear Butte State Park 3lE )I 8lq ro l' I Cheyenne Rapid City Four Corners To l-90 and Yellowstone NP I i I I Paha Sapa Drive I I I I I l I j l I l ,/ \ \ I I l \ Buffalo Gap o)% nt? 919'9a^^ .,eJ| - Springs ^h@-\ I F (, o Y z o -F o f = o a To Casper and Cheyenne, Wyo. To Chadron, Neb. cally restrained and are weapons must be packed Handicap Access mer besides leading picnic tables, restnot allowed in bu ild ings to prevent their use. iooms, and fi;eplaces The visitbr ce nter and of cave tours. Two se litour guidrng trailsareavarl- provided. Primitive cam pgrou nd re acces- orpingthe cave. When slop- Hunting is prohibiled. along the road. in wrnter. wheelchairs. nat- able. Rbadside exhibits aamping sibleto TouringlheAroa u se a pullout- Drivare explain park features. From Wind Cave you Regulations ing oil lhe road is proPrivate and public Conceshibitediil damages the can easily visit Cusler campgroundsare avail- Build liresonly in sioheisells lood rn Plscas to Stay park. prairie. fireplaces. campground Obeytraffic Stale Park, Jewel sunmer. Elk Mountain. the Dark able outside the campground. isop6n on lvlolels, hoiels, camp Don't leave lhem unal- signs. Dumpwasle Cave. and other sites. Camponly in w,ter rn special sinks in Seemap. Activities afiritlcome,firstl supptystores andser- tended. vice stationsare in Hot thecampground. Pets restrooms, noton the Bangers givecamplire served basis. Afee is physi ground. Guns and other must be always talktnighily in the sum- charged- Water, wood, Springs and Custer, S.D. Cenier Visilor O btain a sched u le activrties and cave IcKets. Human and ural history exhibits drsp'ayed. a the Cave Approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) ol the more than 60 kilometers (37 miles) ol passages known to exist in Wind Cave are shown. When Wind Cave was f irst explored in the late 1800s, it demanded strenuous effort, some climbing and sliding, and a willingness to put aside fears of the unknown. For most visitors today, the experience is not as challeng- ing, but it is still an intriguing adventure. You will not enter the cave through its one natural opening, but instead through a manmade entrance nearby. Dim lighting, concrete stairs, and asphalt walkways have been added along the routes to make your visit more enjoyable. An elevator will return you to the sur{ace at the end of the tour. Cave Tours Rangers lead cave tours several times daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Tours are offered less often during the rest of the year. Contact the park for the tour schedule at these times. A fee is charged. Purchase tour tickets at the visitor center. Regular tours follow the f i rst passages explored in Wind Cave 100 years heeled, non-sl ip shoes. Do not wear sandals or shoes with leather or hard composition soles. The cave temperature is always about 120 C (53oF), so a light jacket or sweater is suggested. ago. Rangers lead 0.8kilometer (0.5-mile) trips (as shown in red on the map) lasting 1% hours and 1 .6-kilometer (1-mile) trips (shown in blue) lasting 'l% hours. Special cave tours for handicapped visitors may be arranged by calling park headquarters. turb or remove any rocks or cave iormations. Del icate crystal growth and boxwork are easily destroyed and skin oils discolor cave rock. Smoking is prohibited. Cave Regulations All park features are protected, including rocks and minerals, both in the cave and on the surface. The cave is very fragile and easily damaged. Do not dis- For Your Salety Because the cave is dimly lit and the trail is often damp, wear low- For more information write: Superintendent. Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs, SD 577 47 . To telephone park headquarters, call(605) 745-4600. North6 0 0 200 100 meters 100 feet 500 The F\tto Mound Builders Rest Pearly ,l\ Gates 4t1H:ill.'"0n" ) rn,""-*,, s,ui, ,,,J t;:i""n o,llll'"'"'f \MonteiiHih1ff:''" Palace Avenrre The Amphitheater .".t* Standing Rock Chamber Trait Itlha,+ Fon- ^u ."tg o' */ ?f8E Ganyon \ ',/ // ElKs rtoom 3911 leet 1192 meters Brown Backroom Gristo I Temple Room/ tslevator ,Building 4055 teet 1236 meters Garden of Eden Methodist Church Fairy Palace \ TRAIL Roe's Misery Assembly Room 3863 leet '1178 meters North I Room 3983 feet 12'14 melers I \Visitor Entrance Center 4082 feet 1244 meters / ,/ Guides/ \ Muddle Room t Cave Discovery 4095 leet 1248 meters Hall Rainbow / Falls -Omnibus