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Hiking
Timpanogos Cave Pictures
And Story By K Webb Of SLC Back
To American
Fork Canyon Hiking Trails 
Click
For Larger Picture
Wow it has been a long time since I have been
to Timpanogos Cave; I had forgotten what a neat little place it is. One
Friday after the kids got out of school early we decided to head down to
Timpanogos Cave. We really hadn’t planned the adventure very well, but
we lucked out. We arrived at the visitor center, at the base of the trail
around 3:00. They don’t allow any one to head up the trail after 3:30.
Now forgetting what a hike it is, I was thinking that was kind of
ridiculous because the last tour through the cave starts at 5:00. That’s
an hour and a half to hike one and a half miles. I feel I am in pretty
good shape so I thought I would fly up that trail. Oh boy was I wrong,
this hike is not for the week at heart. It did take us about an hour and
ten minuets. However I do have to admit once at the top it is so worth it.
Be sure and bring water for the hike you will need it!
Picture
Of Us On The Trail
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For Larger Picture
Picture
Of The Trail Below
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For Larger Picture
Finally
Made It To The Top
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For Larger Picture
The caves are incredible. The tour starts with
Hansen cave, which is the smallest of the three, but houses one of the
larger flowstones.
Picture
Of The Flow Stone
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For Larger Picture
We then went through a narrow passage to middle
cave, which is comprised of a couple of rooms. The largest room is covered
with cave bacon (or draperies), stalactites, and stalagmites, and
flowstones. There is also a canal, which looks as if it was once an
underground riverbed. There is still water there but it is only a couple
of inches deep.
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For Larger Picture
Picture
Of A Flow Stone In The Large Room
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For Larger Picture
The separation between middle cave and Timpanogos
cave is not much more than a door. Timpanogos is the home of the famous
heart of Timpanogos, which is the larges stalactite in the caves. It is
5.5 feet in length and is estimated to weigh over 2 tons. Considering the
hundreds of years it takes to form a Stalactite that is incredible.
Picture
Of The Heart Of Timpanogos
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For Larger Picture
Timpanogos cave offers the view of more stalactites,
stalagmites, and bacon. But also has popcorn, and helicites, which look
like straws, or string fries all over the walls, and ceiling. There is no
way to describe the beauty of these caves; they are something you have to
see for yourself. However the tunnels and passageways that you have to
navigate while on the tour can be a bit difficult at times. In some areas
they are very low, and very narrow almost to the point of crawling
through. The park rangers ask that you carry your backpacks in front of
you so that you don’t bump into the walls. The cave is approximately 45
degrees year round so be sure and take a jacket, and maybe even wear long
pants. The cave is open to the public from mid-May to mid -October.
Directions To The Cave
Timpanogos Cave is located off I-15 up American Fork
Canyon. Take exit 287, turn east onto State Highway 92, and go 10 miles to
the monument.
For more photos of Timpanogos Cave visit the scenic
photo gallery.
For more information on the Timpanogos Cave
National Monument Click
Here.
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