Wind Cave

It has been about 30 years since we toured Wind Cave in the southern South Dakota Black Hills. We did it then with two little boys in umbrella strollers, a five year-old and a nine year-old. Because it was a geocache destination, it was time to take the tour again, minus the children. 

385 steps down and 11 steps up: that was the description for the tour we chose. The cave was a very comfortable 53º that warm August day. Our ranger is holding a yellow ribbon in front of the natural entrance to the cave. Breezes out of the cave are blowing about 10 mph. Winds have been clocked at 70 mph at the cave entrance! Sure am glad we did not have to crawl through that little hole to enter the cave!

Yes, I was expecting stalagmites and stalactites. Not in Wind Cave. It is one of the driest cave systems and caves need moisture to grow the colorful pointed crystals. What Wind Cave does have and is best known for is its extensive boxwork. That is the fragile framed boxes in this photo.

This was a rare bit of color seen in the cave. Wind Cave is the fifth longest cave in the world. It is within a square mile on the surface but has explored passage-ways totaling 139 miles.

Jesse and Tom Bingham 'discovered' the natural opening to the cave in 1881. The cave and its unusual winds at the natural opening were known and sacred to the native people.

A young man, Alvin Mc Donald is the first person to explore the cave extensively and to leave a detailed diary of his explorations.  He and his family were sent to explore the mining possibilities of the cave in the late 1800s. Instead of mining potential, tourism developed. Alvin led tours into the Wonderful Wind Cave using candles and twine. I was most pleased to have electric lights, the railings and metal steps, and an elevator to take me back up and out.

This photo shows the button popcorn that is another feature of the cave. In 1903 President Theodore Roosevelt signed the bill making Wind Cave the eighth national park and the first cave to be protected by law. 

To learn more about the winds at Wind Cave click here: The Wind at Wind Cave

To read the story of the cave's discovery, click here: Wind Cave's Early Days