Timpanogos Cave National Monument

"Timpanogos Cave" is three caves that are connected by man-made tunnels: Hansen Cave, Middle Cave, and Timpanogos Cave. Hansen Cave was the first to be discovered, in 1887, by Martin Hansen. Legend holds that he was tracking a cougar while armed with nothing more than an ax, and the animal's tracks led him to the cave's entrance. While undeterred by the thought of facing a cougar armed with only an ax, the cave's discoverer nevertheless decided not to venture into the darkness of a cave without additional protection, so he returned the next day with a torch and made the first exploration of the cave. In the following years Hansen began leading tours of the cave, and many of this cave's formations were damaged by some of these early visitors.

The second cave, Timpanogos Cave was discovered twice: the first time by a pair of 14-year-old boys in 1915, and 6 years later the cave was rediscovered by the Payson Outdoors Club. The discovery of Middle Cave came in the autumn of 1921 when Martin Hansen's grandsons spotted the cave entrance with binoculars while searching for deer. They explored the opening a few days later with their now 74-year-old grandfather leading the way.

Due to the dramatic formations found within the caves it was immediately understood that special protection was needed, and in 1922 President Warren Harding declared them a national monument. The cave trail was built in the ensuing years, and drilling commenced in the 1930s to connect the three caves. Since that time protections have been tightened, and today numerous restrictions are in place to further protect the cave formations from the 70,000 annual visitors.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument covers 250 acres within the steeply-walled American Fork Canyon. The elevation ranges from 5,000 feet to 9,500 feet. In the center of the monument flows the American Fork River.

The cave system is uniquely known for its high abundance of helictites, its coloration in its formations, its display of fault-controlled passages, and its alpine surroundings. In the Chimes Chamber there are hundreds of 6- to 10-inch-long helictites, which are spiral formations that seem to defy gravity. These formations are created by capillarity attraction, hydrostatic pressure, and tiny (0.008 to 0.5 millimeter) central canals. In simpler words water is pushed and pulled through small opening where the forces of capillarity attraction and hydrostatic pressure are greater than the force of gravity. Timpanogos Cave's abundance in helictites is thought to be caused by the large amounts of wall coatings and the small amount of fault movement that creates many small openings suitable for helictites.

The cave also contains formations displaying colors of green and yellow. X-ray analysis shows this rare green and yellow coloring to be from nickel being incorporated into the crystal structure. The x-ray analysis of the yellow flowstone reveals only calcite, and the green flowstone is from mainly aragonite.

The passages in Timpanogos Cave are greatly controlled by faulting. Looking at a map of Timpanogos Cave, one sees many paralleling passages following the fault trends. Along the cave tour, visitors can see these fault lines running along the passages. In some areas of the cave like the Imagination Room, passages dip along the bedding planes and follow the direction of the fault lines. Looking at the map of the cave, one wonders if other cave passages exists following similar fault lines.

Timpanogos Cave is surrounded by an alpine environment. Unlike other tourist caves, this alpine remoteness is unique and escapes the polluted air and contaminated watersheds that plague other caverns. The cave is closed for 6 months due to heavy snowfalls; the cold environment allows the cave to keep a low stable 45 °F (7 °C) temperature year-round.

Although the park is only 250 acres, it has a respectable diversity in wildlife. The park has sightings recorded for 55 mammal species, 2 fish species, 51 bird species, and 4 reptile species. The park's inhabitants include large mammals such as mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, moose, mule deer, and black bears. The canyon also supports small mammals such as ringtail cats, longtail weasels, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, packrats, and bats. Reptiles seen during summer months include the Great Basin rattlesnake, gopher snake, rubber boa, and sage lizard. The American Fork River supports 2 species of introduced fish, brown trout and rainbow trout.

Birdlife in the canyon includes commonly seen birds such as the American dipper, broad-tailed hummingbird, canyon wren, orange-crowned warbler, western tanager, violet-green swallow, and Steller's jays. Occasional visits are seen from large birds such as red-tailed hawks, peregrine falcon, and golden eagles.

Even though temperatures can be below freezing in the winter at Timpanogos Cave, the caves keep a fairly constant temperature of 45 °F and 100% humidity. In years of heavy snowfall, snow is shoveled off the cave trail in preparation for opening the caves and cave trail in the spring. During the summer temperatures can exceed 100 °F.

• Park website

There are two caving tours available, offering access to different portions of the cave. While no ticket is required to hike to the cave, tour tickets are only sold at the visitor center and not at the cave entrance. Reaching the cave entrance requires hiking a strenuous 1½-mile (one way) paved trail that rises 1,065 ft to an elevation of 6,730 feet above sea level; note that strollers and pets are not allowed on the trail, and due to the steep grade the trail is not wheelchair-accessible. The round-trip hike and tour of the cave system takes about three hours. Mid-summer temperatures on the trail can reach 100 °F. However, temperatures in the caves average 45 °F, so a sweater or light jacket is recommended. Hiking shoes, water, flashlight and sunscreen will make your visit safe and enjoyable.

Items that are not permitted within the cave include food, drinks, tripods, walking sticks and large backpacks. Once within the caves, never touch any cave formation as they are delicate, and the oils on your skin can inhibit the natural processes that allow the formations to grow.

To enter the cave a tour ticket is required. To purchase advance cave tour tickets, call +1 801 756-5238 from 8AM to 5PM. Anyone under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Cave tour tickets frequently sell out, especially on weekends and holidays. Tour tickets may be purchased up to 30 days in advance with a major credit card by calling the visitor center at 801-756-5238. A non-refundable $0.50 transaction fee is added to each ticket sold in advance over the phone. Tour tickets may also be purchased in person at the visitor center up to the day of the tour, if still available. Tickets must be purchased at the visitor center before hiking to the caves, tickets cannot be purchased at the cave entrance. Gift certificates are available.

• Cave Tour. Cave tours are 45-60 minutes long and are limited to 20 people per tour. The cave tour is a ranger-led tour through the three sections of the cave, featuring cave formations including stalactites, stalagmites, columns, wall formations, and other natural features. The tour requires climbing stairs, bending, and physical exertion and may not be appropriate for people who are claustrophobic. Adults (age 12 and older) - $12, Junior (age 2-11) - $7, Infant (age 0-1) - $2, Senior/Access (Golden Age/Access) pass holders - $6 (2020 rates). 
• Introduction to Caving Tour. This tour introduces visitors to the sport of caving and caving ethics. Although it is not a wild caving experience, the tour does require bending, crawling, and passage through tight spaces. The tour explores an off-trail portion of Hansen Cave but does not include the rooms visited by the standard Cave Tour. The tour is limited to five people, age 14 and older. Please call the visitor center for more information and to purchase advance tickets +1 801-756-5238. $22 per person (2020 rates). 

Other activities in the park include the Canyon Nature Trail, a ¼-mile walk, that is across the street from the visitor center at the pedestrian bridge. Fishing is allowed along the creek with a valid fishing license. Evening programs are offered Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights, with Junior Ranger programs offered on Saturdays, Memorial Day through Labor Day.