Mitchell Caverns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mitchell Caverns |
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| Location | San Bernardino County, California, United States |
| Elevation | 4,300 feet (1,300 m) |
| Geology | Permian limestone |
| Access | Show cave, Open Fri-Sun |
| Visitors | 15 People Per tour |
| Website | http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=615 |
| Designated: | 1975 |
Mitchell Caverns is a cool place with two amazing caves found inside the Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve. These caves are made of limestone and are located high up in the Providence Mountains, about 4,300 feet above sea level. You can find them in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. They are part of the Providence Mountains State Recreation Area.
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How the Caves Were Formed
The Mitchell Caverns are found within very old limestone rock. This rock was formed a long time ago, during the Permian period, from ancient sea creatures.
The caves started to form even before the Pleistocene Ice Age. This happened when groundwater, which had a lot of carbonic acid in it, slowly dissolved the limestone rock. Over millions of years, this process created the large spaces we see today.
Inside the caves, you can see amazing cave formations. These include stalactites (which hang down from the ceiling) and stalagmites (which grow up from the floor). They are made from calcium carbonate, a mineral left behind by dripping water.
A Look at Cave History
Scientists have found many interesting things in and around Mitchell Caverns. They have discovered bones of prehistoric animals, like the Shasta ground sloth. This shows that these animals once lived in the area.
The caves were also very special to the Chemehuevi Indians. They called the caves "the eyes of the mountain" because the two entrances could be easily seen from a distance. Many tools and other items from the Chemehuevi people have been found here.
Who Were the Mitchells?
The caves are named after Jack and Ida Mitchell. They owned and managed the caves from 1934 to 1954. During this time, the caverns were a popular tourist spot and a rest stop for people traveling on U.S. Route 66. The Mitchells also searched for minerals in the area. You can still see some of the holes and tunnels they dug.
Becoming a State Park
In 1956, the area around the caves became a state park. Later, in 1994, the land around the park became part of the National Park Service's Mojave National Preserve. However, the Mitchell Caverns themselves are still owned and managed by the state of California.
Taking a Tour of the Caverns
The two main caves, named "Tecopa" and "El Pakiva," are connected by a tunnel that people made. You can explore these caves on guided tours led by California State Park rangers. These are the only limestone caves in the California State Park system that you can tour!
Temporary Closure and Reopening
In January 2011, the tours were stopped, and the Providence Mountains State Recreation Area closed down. This happened because of budget problems in California. Sadly, during the closure, the visitor center and other parts of the caverns were damaged.
After a lot of hard work and major upgrades, Mitchell Caverns finally reopened on November 3, 2017. It had been closed for almost seven years! Now, visitors can once again enjoy guided tours and explore these amazing underground wonders.
