Mammoth Caverns

August 17, 2014

Mammoth Caverns

On to Kentucky.

Double click on the pictures to enlarge them.

and Mammoth Caverns National Park.

First the Visitor Center

Kentucky 330 million years ago was mostly covered with water. In the middle of the picture, the red dot, is Mammoth Caverns. It was barely above water.

Then 10 million years later KY was almost dry.

Mammoth Caverns is the worlds longest cave, over 400 miles surveyed and mapped.
They are still finding new passages and then mapping them.

The first entrance known to modern man was discovered by a hunter going after a black bear.

The steps make it easier now.

From here, you can feel the 55 degree air.

When I came down here, there was no one else here. When I climbed back out, there was a tour of 30 people starting in. Great timing.

This is a deep in as I could go without getting on a tour.

And then on to the tour we took.
There are 12 different tours from easy to adults in great physical shape.
We took an easy one.

All the entrances are locked. This one was not a natural one, but man made.

Then through a revolving door. Cathy made it in.

A few pictures inside. We could not use the flash so I did the best I could.
These are in the Niagara section.

The Falls

More formations

Another day, we went to "Outlaw Cave".
After robbing the Kentucky Stagecoach, Jesse James and his gang hid out here. The posse found them and decided to wait them out. One of the gang members grew up here and knew the cave. they went through the cave for several miles and surfaced near a relatives house, got new horses and escaped.

Our limousine to the cave

The cave entrance is near the tree in the far distance looking straight down the roof line of the stables.

Entering cave

This cave was just mapped last year as part of Mammoth Caverns.

All of the caves here are a constant 55 degrees. Our guide grew up here and he said it feels warm in the winter and cook in the summer.