Timpanogos Cave was discovered in October 1887, when a hunter was tracking a cougar up the mountain. The hunter did not want to enter the cave without a light, so the next day he returned with a lantern and was amazed at the cave's beauty. He showed several people the cave and after some mining in the cave, the cave's location was lost.
On August 14, 1921, the cave was rediscovered and this time its location was reported the the U.S. Forest Service. A request was made to Washington for some type of Federal protection, and on October 14, 1922, President Warren Harding designated the cave as a national monument. The cave is highly decorated with Soda Straws, Columns, Popcorn, Bacon, Stalactites, Stalagmites, Drapery, Flow Stone, Helictites, and other speleothems. This is a wet cave with a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius), so the formations are still growing.
I first visited the cave about 48 years ago and I did not remember that the trail to the cave entrance was 1.5 miles long and very steep. Elevation change from the visitor center to the entrance was 1,092 feet. It was a much easier hike 48 years ago.
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| Picture by Andrew |
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| Picture by Andrew |
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| Picture by Andrew |
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| Picture by Andrew |
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| Picture by Andrew |
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| Picture by Andrew |
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| Picture by Andrew |
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| Picture by Andrew |
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| Picture by Andrew |
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| Picture by Andrew |
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