The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1916-09-12
DISC over
REMARKABLE
CAVE IN FOREST
Supervisor Shepard Of the Cache
Forest Explores the
Chamber

Inv ip'Sst oihCtrS nave recently
explored a large. cave located within
the national forest in Big Creek,
about seven miles west of st. Charles
Idaho.
According to the best information
obtainable, this cave was discovered
in the spring OF 1915 by Boy Scout
troop from St. Charles. On August
Is, crew Of forest officers, making
study Of grazing conditions on the
forest in company with Ranger Ro-
nero, made a thorough exploration
Of this quite remarkable cave. 1t was
again explored on August rs by
Messrs Palmer, Aldous and Scofeld,
of the Grazing Studies Crew, in com.
pany with Supervisor and Mrs. Shcp.
ard. D
The entry to this cavern Is an In.
conspicuous break in the limestone
ledge one half mile south of the Mel.
son Arnell Saw Mill in St. Charles,
or Big Greek. This opening is about
two feet in height by ten feet wide.
A strong draft Of cold air meets the
explorer, who must descend on all
fours down a slope of about thirty
per cent for short distance over a
ledge Of coarse lime stone fragments
which have, in time past, fallen from
the arched vault Of the cave.
After penetrating for about fifty
feet, the cave broadens and deepens
forming a chamber in places thirty
feet high by sixty feet wide. At about
two hundred feet from the entrance
the cave bears to the left at right an
gls and extends fully three hundred
feet further and upward at varying
angles. In this portion OF the cave
there are found thousands OF lime de
posits, formed by the slow dripping
of water that is saturated with lime
salts, which crystalize, forming cur
ious shaped deposits both hanging
from the dome and built UP froIs the
floor. Each pendant "icicle" has Its
partner directly underneath. These
stalactites and stalagmites, as they
are known to biologists, have in nu
merous places grown" together, ant
thus formed solid columns of lime de
post from roof to floor. Some o
these are over two feet in diameter
and all are curiously shaped. The
first impression on seeing these Whit
columns in the Pickering light of :
candle is Of a cemetery with many II
shaped tombstones
Although the cave is probably, hu
recently known to man, 1t bears evi
dence of having been long known t.
other creatures of the animal world
Rats and bats by the hundred hay,
spent at least part OF their exist
ence here, and numerous families o
porcupines mildly protested ngains
the intrusion of the inquisitive hum
ans. The exploration of this cav
Is made easier by the presence o
free air currents from some und,
tected source Ordinary candle
burn brightly and their light Is yer
much needed to show the way owe
the rough slippery rocks, where
careless step may result in sprair
ed ankle.
II is believed that when the pre-
ence of this quite unusual cave b.
comes generally known. 1t will be tn
object OF many a visit from tourist
and campers. The entrance to til
cave. however, can be reached onl
by a steep climb over brush an
rocky lodges to the obscure openin
at the foot OF the limestone cliff
half way up the mountain side an
at an elevation of $50 feet. Big Cree
is accessible by poor auto road
five miles from St. Charles and II
additional two miles to the Nelso
Arnell Mill can be made by wager
From that point horse may be RI
den to within short distance fro'
; the entrance of the cave. From thi
point the climb is a steep one, b'
the cavern Is well worth the effort