The Timpanogos Cave National Monument

THE TIMPANOGOS CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT By Dana Parkinson, Forest Supervisor [In view of the completion and opening of the Timpanogos highway or Alpine Drive, from American Fork canyon to Provo canyon, Aug. 16, built by the U. S. Forest Service, and Utah county, the following description of the cave and national monument will be of interest. It is made possible now to motor by way of American Fork canyon to and down Provo canyon, under the shadow of Timpanogos, a one-hundred mile trip from Salt Lake City and return, in about four or five hours. From the Ranger Station in American Fork to Provo river is fourteen and one-half miles, and one passes the divide at an altitude of about 9,000 feet. The traffic is regulated, so there will be no trouble in passing cars. The illustrations of the cave and the trail herewith are especially beautiful. The scenery along the route and the new road is unparalleled in attractiveness, and the fullest beauty of the American Fork canyon, the North Fork canyon, and Provo canyon, is laid bare to the tourist. — Editors.] Our superstitions and horrors for the lower regions need no longer haunt us. The secrets of the inside of the earth were won- derfully and beautifully revealed by the recent discovery of Timpanogos Cave. In 1915 a miner, while prospecting among the precipitous ledges of American Fork canyon, was startled by the cry of his son. The boy climbing along a cliff, felt the loose rock give way and found himself engulfed in a small, dark cavern. The miner investi- gated and later with candles slid down a long chute just large enough to allow passage of a person prostrate. He entered a mass of caverns with many confusing and puzzling openings. The beauty and unique- ness of the cave soon became apparent and he immediately located it as a mining claim, proposing to keep it secret and later extract and sell the fantastic formations. The secret was well guarded for 5 years. In 1921, however, due to remarks dropped unwittingly by members of his family, rumors circulated about this wonderful cave. Vearl Manwill, the son of a former Forest Ranger, found the entrance carefully concealed so that an unsuspecting mind could not have detected its presence. A few days later he conducted the Alpine Mountain Club on an exploring expedition. They unwound twine as they progressed through the corridors, to facilitate finding the way back. The intense darkness together with the numerous caverns added to the confusion of one headed anywhere in particular. On the same day, Forest Ranger West and Supervisor Mann of the Wasatch National Forest, follow- ing the meager clues obtained from the rumors, found the cave with the Manwill party in it. They immediately set it aside as a Public

14 IMPROVEMENT ERA Photo by J. E. Broaddus The Heart of Timpanogos— A Secret of the Inner Earth

THE TIMPANOGOS CAVE 15 Photo by J. E. Broaddus Surprising and Wonderful Stalactitic Forms in the Cave

16 IMPROVEMENT ERA R . „ . Photo by J. E. Btoaddus Beauty and Uniqueness of the Formations in the Cave

THE TIMPANOGOS CAVE 17 Service Site, thus preserving it for public enjoyment for all time to come. The mining claims were investigated and found invalid. A guard was stationed at the entrance to keep all people out un- til they could be conducted through safely and without injury to the cave. Within a year the local people co-operating with the Forest Service, built a trail, installed electric lights with powerful reflectors, built a beautiful trail through the cliffs and evergreens, made a camp and picnic ground and opened it to the public. Over 10,000 people visited it last year and over 14,000 have visited it this year. A charge of 50c per adults and 25c for children is made to cover cost of operating. It is managed strictly by a non-commercial organ- ization of public spirited citizens co-operating with the Government and all receipts are devoted to maintaining and developing the cave and camp grounds in vicinity. Timpanogos Cave is two miles up American Fork Canyon, nine miles from the town of American Fork and forty miles from Salt Lake. Automobiles are parked at the picnic grounds below the cave. The remainder of the trip is made on foot up the mile of trail wind- ing through the cliffs and firs with an easy grade. The impressions received by a visit to the cave may best be ex- pressed in the words of a little old lady, 81 years old who repeatedly remarked, "Oh, my gracious me all over — to think I have lived so long and never seen anything so wonderful." The cave has recently been created a National Monument, by proclamation of President Harding, and the attendance this year is greater than ever. Thousands go in their private cars, and a stage leaves 35 West South Temple, Salt Lake City at 9 a. m. daily. Information on the cave can be obtained from the U. S. Forest Service, 219 Federal Building. Satt Lake City, Utah A DEDICATION This whole, sweet Sabbath evening fair I'll dedicate unto my God in sacred prayer. The essence of this Balm of Giliad tree, Mingled with lilac's sweet perfumery ; And these beneath the dome of heaven's soft blue Are all of church or incense sacred I would sue. How can my low and lonely heart Nearer to God aspire? How can my chaste and wearied soul More holy zeal require? Than these so tender thoughts I speed to God this hour When Prayer holds me spell-bound within her radiant power? Twixt scorning friends and God's companionship I now am forced to choose, I well can leave the thoughtless throng, but the love cjf God I cannot lose. Belteisle, N. B,, Canada Alan C. Reidpath