Blowhole Cave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blowhole Cave |
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| Location | Utah County, Utah |
| Depth | 340 feet (100 m) |
| Length | 1,165 feet (355 m) |
| Elevation | 5,293 feet (1,613 m) |
| Geology | Limestone |
| Entrances | 1 |
| Difficulty | Vertical |
| Hazards | Slippery surfaces |
| Access | Restricted |
| Cave survey | Call & Rod Horrocks, 1989 |
Blowhole Cave is an amazing cave located in Utah County, Utah, United States. It's found west of Utah Lake. This special cave is owned by the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA). It is managed by a caving club called the Timpanogos Grotto, which is part of the National Speleological Society.
To help protect the cave, a special gate was put in place on April 25–26, 2006. Blowhole Cave is quite unique because it's very warm, often over 80 °F (27 °C), and very moist inside. The cave has been carefully measured. Its total length is 1,165 feet (355 m), and it goes down 340 feet (100 m) deep. This makes Blowhole Cave the 9th deepest cave in all of Utah!
Exploring this cave requires special skills. You need about 400 feet (120 m) of rope to get through its vertical sections. One of the most famous sights inside the cave is called the Navajo Blanket. This is a beautiful wall of rock with many colors. You can see shades of brown, tan, red, white, and gray all mixed together.
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What Makes Blowhole Cave Special?
Blowhole Cave is not just any cave; it has some very interesting features. Its warmth and moisture create a unique environment. This kind of setting can be perfect for certain types of cave formations.
The Warmth of the Cave
Most caves are quite cool, but Blowhole Cave is different. It stays warm and humid all the time. This constant warmth is unusual for a cave in Utah. Scientists study caves like this to understand how they form.
Exploring Its Depths
Getting into Blowhole Cave is a true adventure. Because it's a "vertical" cave, you need ropes to go down. This means cavers don't just walk through it. They use special climbing gear to rappel down into its deep sections. This makes exploring it a challenge.
The Navajo Blanket is a highlight for anyone who visits Blowhole Cave. It's a large rock formation that looks like a colorful blanket. The different colors come from minerals in the rock. Over thousands of years, water has deposited these minerals. This creates the stunning patterns you see today. It's a natural work of art deep underground.
Protecting Blowhole Cave
Caves are fragile natural places. They can be easily damaged by human activity. That's why Blowhole Cave is carefully managed.
Why a Cave Gate?
The gate at the entrance of Blowhole Cave helps protect it. It stops people from entering without permission. This keeps the cave safe from vandalism. It also helps protect the delicate formations inside. The gate ensures only experienced cavers enter. These cavers know how to explore without harming the cave.
Who Manages the Cave?
The Timpanogos Grotto is a group of caving enthusiasts. They work hard to look after Blowhole Cave. They make sure the cave is kept safe and clean. They also help organize trips for experienced cavers. Their goal is to preserve the cave for the future.
