The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-07-18
A TRIP TO WILD CAT CAVE.

A party Of some so signed up t.
go to Wild Cat Cave. The party lef
the dormitory at 800 p. m.
The morning was cloudy and som
rain fell; before dinner rain ceased
and the air was fresh and ,.ool. Auto
nere t take those who could no
walk. The way took us up Spearfisl
canyon three and one-half mi'es. Tn,
beauty of the scenery is indescribable
The canyon walls rise several hundred
feet on each side. the sides Of whiSl
are covered with beautiful pine
cedar, and many birch and other
forest trees. The canyon floor is
rather broad. 1t contains fine drive
way along the eastern wall, on the
right is the waterway, which is dry
at present, on the west of the river
bed is the railroad that goes to Dead.
wood.
Tie Normal faculty had made pro
visions for our lunch at the Cave
Autos were left at the beginning o.
the trail to the cave, therefore some
helped carry camp equipment and
provisions.
The cave is about 800 feet up the
western spur of Spearfish Mt. The
trait leads over rocks covered with
lichens oyer which trickles a stream
of water on one or another SIDE of the
way. Many fine pine and other trees
sorns a the way. We esaw some fine
Gus other plants GHza4ppes Ha4ppes and nlmer
climbs We reached the cave and thot
it well worth the effort.
Wild Cat Cave extends north and
south about so feet and 25 or 80 feet
high and extend, about 20 feet under
ledge of limestone rock. 1t opens
toward the west with wonderful
v'ew across the Spea-hsh Canyon, the
wall Of which was many feet higher
than the cave, with well-timbered
wall, with here and there out crop
ping rocks Of varigated coloring with
gorgeous effect.
The most wonderful thing we saw
was stream of water that flows over
the edge of the roof rock and falls
Just in front of the wide opening to
the cave. We who had tin cups were
more than thankful for the cool water
after the wearisOme climb. A fire
was soon made from dry wood found
all around Coffee boilers, put under
the stream OF water were soon full
and put on the fire Wienie sticks
were gotten ready. Soon the party
came that walked. Others came
with the remainder Of lunch. Wienies
were roasted impaled on sharp sticks
over the fire land say, that's the way
to cook weinies) and coffee, there
never was better, even at Rosebud
Valley Club dinners. Sandwiches
with lettuce, pickles, and cream and
sugar for coffee completed lunch fit
for the gods if you include the place
In which it was eaten.
The Normal people spared no pains
to make everyone enjoy the day
Many snapshot pictures were taken
of the scenery at different points, also
of groups of our party, which had
grown from the 50, original number
to about IS or 10.
After rest and social time anc
drinking again from the beautiful
stream and also from anothet moi
mentioned, which streams through ;
crevice in the roof which Is ice cold
we proceeded to ascend 1.-THE hill o
difficulty" as some one named it. /
Is a steep, sharp climb Of about 2O
feet more to the top from which
fine view is seen up and across tn
canyon. 1t must be seen to be ap
preciated. Mere words cannot de
scribe the lights and shades, project
ing rocks and living green, bluisl
haze 0f. the distant parts, beautiful
clou&ehects make 1t beauty spot
a vel1table Switzerland Of America
dotibt If Switzerland has anythin
on our own South Dakota scenery.
Trophies of the trip were gathere
by many and a downward climb t
the cave and from there we again de
scended to the highway, where auto
took those too weary to walk back
the dormitory. All were weary bu
happy In that it was time we'll spen
Ito ''see what God hath wrought"