Barry Fotheringham
barry@barryfotheringham.com
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Ability Realty
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Tucson, AZ 85710
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COLOSSAL CAVE
To the southeast side of Tucson lie the Rincon Mountains. Along the south portion of the Rincons is Colossal Cave Mountain Park. The cave itself is a dry cave with a long history wandering into the dim ages past. Scientists believe that Indians used the cave as far back as 1100 years ago. Hohokam and Apache artifacts were found there and in 1917 two skeletons identified as Indians were discovered in the cave. Open since 1930, it is host to thousands of visitors a year.
A dry cave? What is a dry cave? Most caves have experienced two types of water activity. One is the condition that hollowed out the cave in the first place and the second, and far more subtle, is the slow continual dripping of water with its varied minerals that create the stalactite and stalagmite. When that stops, the cave becomes what is known as a dry cave. Want to know how to remember which is from the ground up and from the ceiling down? Well.. as the mites go up, the tights come down.
Even on a hot summer day, the temperature in the cave stays between 70° and 71°. There are many openings to the cave, which causes a steady cooling airflow. About 2 miles of passageways have been explored but it is believed that there is more to the cave. Many passageways are too small to enter or have been cut off completely. The cave itself is currently about 600 feet deep and drops about 40 feet below the entrance. The tour is about one-half mile.
For the adventuresome, there are some tours that can be taken into difficult but amazing areas of the cave. They are not considered to be safe for the average person and hard hats are required. There is also a candlelight tour of the cave for people aged 10 and over. It is by reservation only.
As there are many steps to climb when viewing the cave, it is not advised to take strollers or people who have trouble walking.
During the cooler months, Colossal Cave is a great place to spend time visiting the gift shop and having a meal at the excellent restaurant or just sitting in the ramada and taking in the beautiful scenery. You can also enjoy the Bat Garden with desert plants that are pollinated by nectar feeding bats.
Speaking of bats (doesn't every cave need at least a few bats?), there are seven types that live in the cave. Some are seasonal visitors and others are homesteaders. Sorry, no vampire bats! They live in Central Mexico and South America.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park expanded about 10 years ago taking in La Posta Quemada Ranch which is a working ranch with a headquarters house which is part museum, library and gift shop. Additionally there are riding trails from the stables as well as walking paths. The ranch also has picnic areas and a few places where people can rough camp overnight. Hay rides, stagecoach rides and cookouts can also be arranged. It's a good place to get a true feel of the old west.
http://www.colossalcave.com/welcome.html
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