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Special Timpanogos Cave Tours
Been there, done that? Timpanogos Cave now has a lot more to offer beyond the standard tours, conducted regularly throughout the season. Mystery, history, and beauty await adventuresome individuals with their new Introduction to Caving Tours, conducted only twice daily.
Offering a change from the cayon traffic below, these unique adventures provide excellent opportunities for families to view 42 types of formations and will help friends learn more about the caves and each other.
This journey takes visitors through caverns, unavailable to the general public for decades, following the footsteps of the original cave tours. Recent excavations have recently re-opened these grottos, with 382 tons of mining debris removed to make these tours possible.
For thousands of years, delicate and beautiful mineral formations have been developing, waiting to be discovered, one drop at a time. Special treasures in this section include the longest column of the Timpanogos Caves and the largest lake, which once fed the water fountain near the cave entrance. You may also see the names of your ancestors scrawled on the cave walls when regular tours covered this area.
Andy Babcock, Park Ranger, reported, "We are still making, new, spectacular discoveries each time we visit." Researchers are still looking for several survey markers, placed in the caves as it was originally explored. These tours will lead to conversations for weeks following your mini-adventure.
Visitors will learn more about the sport of caving, including equipment, techniques, safety, conservation, and ethics. Although this is not a wild caving experience, this tour will require bending, crawling, and passing though relatively tight places. Participants should be physically fit and be without claustrophobia or other limitations.
Also plan on getting a little dirty. Parts of this cave can only be reached by crawling on your belly, climbing ropes, and having a little fun. This tour is very different from the standard tours, following the paved path.
One tour highlight includes the tradition of turning off the lights and resting in total darkness. For approximately 15 minutes, caving enthusiasts can listen to the cave sounds and become more aware of this fragile environment, previously overlooked, with the lights on.
Kit Mullen, Park Superintendent, remarked, "People love these tours and enjoy seeing new parts of the cave system. These tours are presented in a very intimate setting and can provide excellent information about the caves in a relaxed atmosphere." Since July 1st more than 230 have enjoyed this tour and future reservations are filling fast. Best times to schedule are weekdays, although a few weekend time slots are still available.
This adventure awaits for only $15/person, with group size restricted to 5 people. Tours typically last 1 hour 30 minutes, with the round trip lasting approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. Participants must be at least 16 years of age. Tickets may be purchased up to 30 days in advance with Visa or MasterCard by calling 756-5238, but tours will be over when the snow flies and the trail becomes impassable.
What to Bring?
The following list includes necessary items for the tour. Items are not optional and ill-prepared visitors will need to reschedule.
Clean gloves to protect the formations from oils on your hands
Old long sleeved clothing that can get dirty
Ankle-high, lug soled boots (no tennis shoes)
1 unopened pack of 4 AA batteries for head lamps, provided by the guide
Drinking water
Jacket or sweatshirt
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Triathelons/Marathons
The Utah Runner Triathlete --Utah's Premier Multi-Sports Race Organizers!
Salt Lake City Track Club-- The site has information on weekly runs and track events in Salt Lake City.
Desert Sharks Triathlon Club--A club interested in group training for triathletic competitions.
Team in Training-- The Desert Mountain States Chapter of team in training which helps athletes train for endurance races and raises funds for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
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