![]() He was trapped nearly upside down, his 6-foot, 200-pound body seemingly swallowed by the rock.Ībove John, Susie ‘s slight, 5-foot-3-inch frame was also encased. “Hi, Susie, thanks for coming, but I really, really want to get out,” said 26-year-old John Jones. The reply seemed to come from the other end of a long hallway. More information on visiting can be found on the National Park Service website for Timpanogos National Monument ( The season for visiting typically runs from late spring to early fall, depending on the year and the availability of funding.“Hi, John, my name is Susie. Views from the upper reaches of the trail can temporarily take the visitor’s mind off the steep climb. The trail up to the caves is filled with rugged rocky landscape and forest. Meanwhile, the area housing the caves is also worth the visit, as nearly 100,000 people per year can attest. It is a landscape that astonishes the first-time visitor. The formations inside the caves look otherworldly. The highlight of a visit to Timpanogos is the beauty of this natural wonder. The human history surrounding the cave is also fascinating. A tour includes a wealth of earth science and geology lessons. No light enters, so there is literally zero visibility inside the caves.Ī tour of Timpanogos Cave National Monument is a treat that Utah residents and visitors alike should enjoy if their health permits it. She turned off the lights inside Hansen Cave and revealed total darkness. She then showed her group of visitors something unknown to many people. “Do you remember a time when you stepped into the unknown?” Morrey asked as she led a guided tour. Tours of the caves, which are linked by manmade tunnels, are filled with natural wonder. Though bats only use Timpanogos “as a hotel before moving on,” as Morrey said, the Park Service adheres to this standard to protect any bats that do visit. A disease called White Nose Syndrome kills millions of bats in the US. One thing not to bring is any clothing that has ever been in another cave. Though it might be sweltering outside during a summer visit, the caves remain cool at an average of 45 degrees. One unexpected thing to bring for a visit to the caves is a warm jacket. The paved trail provides sure footing, but it also precludes bringing any wheeled transport like strollers. They also advise bringing along plenty of water and sunscreen, especially on hot days. Due to the strenuous nature of the hike, the Park Service advises visitors to be in good physical condition. ![]() The hike involves an elevation gain of 1,092 feet over a mile and a half of paved trail. The visit includes a strenuous hike from the visitor center to the caves. To visit the caves, tickets must be purchased for guided tours that are capped at 16 people per tour. If you include the surrounding area, the number is double that.” “That’s just how many people visited the cave. “Over 45,000 people visited Timpanogos National Cave in 2018,” said BJ Cluff of the National Park Service. While not as many people visit Timpanogos National Monument as the state’s national parks and other monuments, it still receives a lot of well-deserved attention. “The cave was even leased out for mining before it was protected,” said volunteer tour guide Ruth Morrey. The area was designated a national monument on October 14, 1922, but not before significant damage was done to the caves, particularly to Hansen Cave. A third cave, which became known as Middle Cave, was also discovered in 1921. However, knowledge of its location was lost until it was rediscovered in 1921. Martin Hansen discovered what is now known as Hansen Cave in 1887. Timpanogos Cave, or caves as tour guides will point out, is administered by the National Park Service. Timpanogos Cave National Monument is an indoor-outdoor adventure closer to home for Salt Lake County residents than the national parks. Utah is renowned for its national parks and monuments, but one of the state’s treasures tends to get overlooked despite its proximity to the Wasatch Front.
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