Colossal Cave

WONDERS never cease in Arizona. Above the earth is the sky, a wondrous canopy for a strange, surprising land. On the earth are mountains, deserts, valleys with everything of interest from the Grand Canyon to the Rainbow Cactus. But if you seek all the wonders of our state you must go at least into a certain mountainside in the Rincons of Pima County to have experienced all the tunes of wonderment Nature strums for you in Arizona. If you wish to add to your travel enjoyment and knowledge we refer you to Colossal Cave, which lies at the foot of the Rincon Mountains twenty-eight miles southeast of Tucson.

Colossal Cave carries the adjective handsomely, for “colossal” justly defines this rare piece of subterraneous scenery. The Cave, in some Stygian epoch of the past, was carved out of limestone by water for thirty-nine miles into the mountainside, and today the venturesome persons are discovering new depths and places of interest in its darker recesses. The waters that did the carving have long since gone to the sea, leaving a great dry void, of even temperature at 72 unvarying degrees, full of stalagmites, stalactites, rooms, caverns and passageways labyrinths in limestone countless obscurated objects in the blackest mood.

Under the guidance of the National Park Service, the CCC have built trails and stairways for about a mile and a half into the Cave. More timid persons will find these tours adequate in giving them a good view of the cave. The passages are lighted by indirect electric lighting so arranged as to augment the eeriness of the interior. Guides point out such figures as the “Elephant's Head,” “Praying Nuns,” “Devil's Head,” “Pipe Organ,” “Frozen Waterfalls,” “The Draperies,” and many others.

into the Cave. More timid persons will find these tours adequate in giving them a good view of the cave. The passages are lighted by indirect electric lighting so arranged as to augment the eeriness of the interior. Guides point out such figures as the “Elephant's Head,” “Praying Nuns,” “Devil's Head,” “Pipe Organ,” “Frozen Waterfalls,” “The Draperies,” and many others.

Stouter hearts may go beyond the area established by the tours but custodians rather they wouldn't. One turn of a passageway, and you never know where you'll find yourself—or where frantic searchers may find you days later. Exploration in a place like Colossal Cave is a high adventure not to be taken lightly—or without proper preparation. Then, of course, you might discover one or more of the other entrances that the Cave must have because that is the only way you can account for the fact that the air within is always fresh and circulating.

The Cave has much history wrapped up in its dark bosom. In 1884 four men held up and robbed a train in southern Arizona, escaping with $62,000. They fled to the Cave, with the sheriff pursuing them in best western fashion. Pursuit in the Cave being impossible, the sheriff figured he'd starve the robbers out by keeping constant guard on the main entrance. The guard was kept until the sheriff learned the men were in Willcox-having exited from the Cave by some entrance undiscovered even today. Later the men were caught, but the money was never recovered. A survivor, having served a prison sentence, is believed to have returned and recovered the money.

Whether he did or not is a secret, like many other secrets, held forever in the silent, moody depths of the dark Cave. To the traveler, historically-minded or not, Colossal Cave is in itself a remarkable work of art, a fantastic place full of darkness and shadow and appeal... R. C.

After an afternoon-entertainingly spent.

THE LAST CAMP OF HI JOLLY

HIGH STOOTIERE IN SYRIA ABOUT 1828 DIED AT QUARTZSITE DECEMBER 14 1903 CAME TO THIS COUNTRY FEBRUARY 20 1856 CAMELDRIVER - PACKER SCOUT - OVER THIRTY YEARS A FAITHFUL AID TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

ARIZONA HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT 1935