Nakimu Caves facts for kids

The Nakimu Caves are a fascinating cave system found in Glacier National Park in British Columbia, Canada. These caves stretch for about six kilometres in the middle of the park. Their name, "Nakimu," means "grumbling spirits" in the Shuswap language. The caves were created over a very long time by Cougar Brook. This stream slowly dissolved soft limestone rock, carving out the passages you see today. You can reach the caves by going through Balu Pass.

Discovering the Nakimu Caves

The Nakimu Caves were first discovered in 1902 by two explorers, D. Woolsey and W. Scott. Just two years later, in 1904, a man named Charles Deutchmann from Revelstoke explored them much more deeply. For a while, the caves were known by other names like Cheop's Caves or Deutchmann Caves, before finally being called Nakimu.

Early Tourism and Changes

Charles Deutchmann made an agreement with Parks Canada. This is the government agency that looks after Canada's national parks. His job was to run tours inside the caves. To make it easier for visitors, a small teahouse was built near the cave entrance. A road was also constructed from the Illecillewaet River valley.

In the early 1900s, a popular hotel called Glacier House brought many tourists to the area. During this time, Deutchmann added wooden stairs and walkways inside the caves. Many people visited, and the caves became a very popular attraction.

Protecting the Caves

Because so many people visited, some of the natural features inside the caves started to get damaged. The Nakimu Caves were once the only "show" cave in Canada's national parks, meaning they were set up for public tours. However, in 1935, the tours stopped because fewer tourists were coming.

After the tours ended, Parks Canada removed the old stairs and walkways that Deutchmann had built. To protect the delicate cave environment, the caves were completely closed to most visitors. Today, only experienced cavers with special permits are allowed to enter. This helps keep the caves safe and preserved for the future.

Unique Features of the Caves

The rocks inside the Nakimu Caves are a type of marble-like rock from the Cambrian period. This was a very ancient time in Earth's history, hundreds of millions of years ago. Many of these rocks have interesting wavy or scoop-like patterns called "scalloping."

What is Moonmilk?

One of the most unusual things found in the caves is a substance called moonmilk. It looks a bit like cauliflower and is made up of tiny clumps. Moonmilk forms when calcium carbonate, a mineral found in rocks, mixes with bacteria. It's a unique and delicate part of the cave's environment.