Art Pettit, Larry McAtte, and I met at the DQ at 10:00 am EST. It had been awhile since we had been to Wayne, so we sat and discussed options. We chose to do a final day of good ridge-walking for the year (the vegetation was becoming thick). We opted for a valley of some interest to the east of Monticello due to a few karst features shown on the topo maps. We hiked several miles and only found one cave; all of the karst features shown on the maps were filled with organics or rocks.
Larry’s Quickie - A small cave on a hill slope at the Pennington - Bangor contact. Only a single 15 foot climbable pit with a organic slope and two receding domes (left and right). Total length of cave is less than 100 feet.
The spring wildflowers were in full force on the hike. We encountered jack-in-the-pulpits, three species of trillium (red, white, and toadstool), bloodroot, wild ginger, rattleweed, rue anemones, and several colors of violet (purple, confederate, white, and yellow). In addition, the redbuds and dogwoods were in bloom. It truly was a colorful day.
After eating at Subway in town, we used the last few hours of light to return to Shiloh Hollow to visit Alan’s Promise (a cave from a previous trip). This cave was rumored to have lots of air and need vertical work. We did find the cave and do agree that it is indeed worth looking at again, but found it to be less than expected. Thus the name was changed to broken promises.
Broken Promises - Located on the slope of a narrow ridge in Shiloh Hollow.
The entrance is located in the Pennington just below the massive sandstone
caprock in a small sink. Large house-sized boulders litter the sink. The
entrance is located below one of these boulders. The entire cave (thus
far) consists of a vertical shaft filled with collapse and sandstone boulders.
Art and I penetrated into the Bangor Limestone, but never reached the end
of the collapse and fill. We reached a point at approximately 60 feet below
the entrance where some digging would need to occur to allow further access.
Wind was noted leaving the cave at this constriction (50 degrees outside
at the time). If this cave would open beyond this collapse feature, a large
system may await.
Saturday, January 16 1999
Well, I am home after a wonderful day...
The temperature in Wayne County was 60 with oh so wonderful blue skies. Larry, Art, and I made a day ridge-walking in Rice Hollow. We hiked about 5-6 miles (maybe much more, can't tell on map), and found some tremendous karst features. Here is a summary with names given to them:
Rice Waterfall Pit - The first cave we came across. A large spring sprays out of the Bangor ls. cascades over the 15 feet thick Hartselle fm. and plunges 30 feet into a moss coated pit. The cave at the bottom was only pushed 400 feet and would need somewhat dryer weather plus full gear. Far upstream in valley at contact.
Several springs were found downstream and another similar waterfall pit on a smaller scale. All were very wet and small.
Mystic Bridge Cave - A superb find. On the toe of a ridge we found another Bangor spring. The water was heard plunging nearby. Within moments we found where the water plummeted 15 feet into a small passage which immediately drops another 30 feet into a very large room with two very large entrances separated by a natural bridge. After negotiating a the breakdown slope (another 25 feet down) we found passage which tried to become real going cave but soon broke down. This still has some good potential.
Lee's Rice Cavelet - On upstream in the other main branch of this valley, I found what appeared to be a pit. Upon closer examination, it was a pit. 15 feet to a ledge, then another 15 feet to the bottom in which canyons diverged. Upstream, more dome pits; and downstream, low cobble crawl with water.
And the biggest cave of the day!!!
Edwards Mountain Cave - On the hike back to the truck, we were walking on top of the mountain along the bluffline when we noticed a void in the cliff face. The void became a sizable joint enlargement in the Rockcastle conglomerate (a very massive sandstone composing the bluffs at the tops of the mountains on the Cumberland Plateau). This enlarged joint narrowed then opened into a very large room (75', 60', 40') with multiple leads along joints. Daylight streams in from a second and larger entrance. In all, about 400'-500' of Sandstone cave. There seem to be several of these along this mountain top and would be worth a days trip to investigate.
Saturday, Jan 23 1999:
The day started with a drive to Monticello through a large scale flood event.
Over 4 inches of rain were dumped on the county during the previous night.
I met up with the Erismans and the Buckeyes at Hardee’s at 10:00 am
EST. Members present for the day included: Lee Florea, Pat, Greg, and Doc
Erisman, Bill, and Katie Walden, and Kevin Toepky. The goal for the day
was to push the lead with great air at the back of the paleo insurgence
cave (a saltpetre cave), in Redmond Hollow. On the drive to the cave I was
barely able to stay on the road due to the amazing springs which revealed
themselves, especially around Slickford.
We parked in the bottom of the valley (which was a lake today) and hiked
to the cave well equipped. Ohio cavers come more than prepared. The work
for the morning work consisted of setting bolts to attach a come-a-long
so that breakdown blocks could be yanked out of the choke. Three bolts were
set it total, and two were sheared off by stubborn breakdown. After much
prodding and breaking of rocks, a small breakdown room was found with no
obvious leads out and more work to be done to make it go.
So we then tuned to high level stuff. After the previous weeks sandstone
cave find on Edward’s Mountain (which Pat told me he had already surveyed),
I wanted to see the rest of that cliff line. So we all set off around the
mountain. Only Bill and Myself made it all the away around, and only just
barely. Nothing else at all! Well, I learned my lesson and don’t plan
on hiking any cliff lines in the near future. All told, nothing of great
import was found. Considering the weather conditions; however, we did well
to get in a cave at all.
Sunday, Jan 24 1999:
Another trip to Monticello; this time with lower water levels. I met up
with the group at the Dairy Queen at 10:30 am EST. Members present for the
day included: Lee Florea, Art Pettit, Alan Glennon, Michelle, Seth, Shane,
and Bill. We decided that the day would be best spent ridge-walking. So,
off to upper Shiloh Hollow to investigate a couple interesting features
on the map.
By the end of the day we finally found the two features of interest, but
neither one provided cave. Some cave was found. These caves were somewhat
wet, and not investigated very far. Here are brief summaries of those located:
Seth’s Canyon Cave:
A vadose canyon of walking dimensions rapidly decreasing in size to a hands
and knees crawl through a little water. Stratigraphically, it appears to
be a Bangor Cave perched on the Hartsell (as all passage was heading upstream
in a small side valley). About 200’ of cave were explored.
Mouse Trap:
A neat pit type entrance located 15’ feet above the surface stream
in the Bangor. In the pit, water emerges from a small tube 6" in diameter,
and cascades over the Hartsell into the Monteagle. Below this, the water
continues to fall for an undetermined depth, but may need rigging. Named
mouse trap due to the mouse that was clinging to the wall to keep away from
Shane.
Alan’s Promise:
Upon returning to the vehicle, Alan indicated that he had finally found
a cave. This was after finding the sinkhole on the map which had eluded
us the entire day (because of being on the wrong ridge), which ended up
turning into a dud. The next sinkhole over (not on the map) had an enterable
cave in the bottom (right at the contact with the overlying sandstone).
He noted that air was blowing leaves 15’ feet away and that he climbed
down 30’ feet with another 30’ below at least. This cave is in
a great location to open into something.
Art’s keyhole spring:
Art finally discovered the other sink of interest on the map. Crops and
tended fields in the bottom made the discovery of anything likely, thus
Art continued downstream in Shiloh Hollow and found what could be the resurgence
for the sinkhole, a keyhole shaped tube of reasonable size with much water
and another nearby spring.
In all, not a very impressive valley for karst (at least on the surface).
A few leads with potential; but with many leads of great interest nearby,
these are not high on the list. Recent logging made hiking annoying and
eventually drove us off of the slopes into the stream bed. I could only
imagine the annoyance factor involved in the summer. If and when I do go
back, I will try to climb the fire tower which was right next to where we
parked.
Saturday, Jan 31 1999:
Art, Larry, and I met again in Monticello at 10:00 EST in the DQ. We had
a couple goals for the day. One to scout out a concentration of springs
just outside of Monticello on Beaver creek next to Hwy. 200. Second, to
begin investigations and land owner conversations in Missouri Hollow just
south of Monticello.
The springs along Beaver Creek are located in proximity to an old forge.
These springs flow all year and during the recent wet weather have shown
to have considerable discharge. We first stopped and spoke with landowners
at the foot of a large cliff-line in which several holes of interest, a
concentration of tubes with one sealed with masonry, were seen. They indicated
that these cave entrances did not go far into the cliff-line and that it
would not be worth our investigating. He did give us several leads on other
caves in the area. Of particular interest were caves in Meadow Creek north
of town (contact Mike Adams) and a large pit on the knob behind his house
(on his property). The springs turned out to be emerging from bedding plane
conduits smaller that human size at the contact of the St. Louis and the
Salem-Warsaw below. Impressive flow for the sizes of the springs.
So up to Missouri Hollow. We drove to the sink complex at the top of the
valley and spoke with the land owner and his son (Brian Dean). They gave
us permission to drive out behind their house and walk around for a while.
He also gave us a lead or two (caves in the cliff up on the ridge). We investigated
the sinkholes in the fields (one blew a large amount of steam in the winter
according to Art) which were all filled with trash and rock. The leads on
the cliff were merely small sandstone shelters. The next place we stopped
at was an interesting crevice in the epikarst exposed on the road just downstream
from the saddle. The old woman who owned the land would not let us look
at it because of electric lines in the entrance which led to an old water
pump installed to proved water for four families living nearby. The pump
was inactive and she couldn’t get KU in Monticello to disconnect the
lines. Very interesting feature though.
The last stop was at the end of the valley near the intersection with Hwy.
167/200. We were given permission to walk the hillside to look for a pit
Dave Beiter had marked on Art’s map. The three of us set out looking
for cave. Limestone outcrops were everywhere; is had the "feel"
of cave. None were found. Somewhat disappointed, we set out in the other
direction. That was when our luck changed. I intersected some trails which
led me to a ravine. Small animal trails (skunk, I think, since I saw a small
black animal scurrying ahead of me) were everywhere. I found several potential
pits, one with a breath of air on this mid 50’s temp day, but no pits.
About that time Art caught up and the two of us proceeded down the ravine.
Within moments we found our first pit. By the time Larry had caught up,
Art and I were livid with excitement and merrily tossing rocks to measure
depth.
We hiked back to get gear. As we were suiting up, the land owner’s
son pulled up and asked if we were looking for caves. " I’s know
where a pit is for ye." He intoned in his mid-teen/Appalachian tone.
"Hike on up this here mountain on my lawnamore trails to the second
flat and goes right. That trail will take you right pass a good hole."
"lawnmower trails?" We all looked at each other quizzically.
"Yup! My lawnamore will go as fast as you wana go thru these woods."
He smirked eerily.
"Sure thing." We agreed, withholding mirth.
Back to the pit and to look for the other. By the time the day was over,
three caves were found:
Yeller Dawg Pit:
Named for the land-owners dog which hiked around with us and waited out
of the cave for us. This was the first pit found and is a crevice like opening
20’ above the stream bed of the ravine. It is a dead-bottom double
pit 56.8 feet in depth with a window at the top and the bottoms connecting.
A lead at -30 feet looks as if it has some potential to connect to other
pits. Little air, but it was a bad day for air.
Super Bike Pit;
Named for the brand of bike located in the debris pile at the bottom. This
cave is a significant find. The entrance shaft is a 49.7 feet drop. The
cave is thus far entirely composed of a retreating dome shaft of gargantuan
magnitude. From the bottom of the pit, the breakdown slope falls into the
blackness where a waterfall can be heard. The slope becomes almost all flowstone
and huge flowstone and draperies (60-70 feet high) compose part of the walls.
The slope drops another 70 feet to the lip of another 30 foot drop. This
is where we had to stop because of a lack of rope. We could see that the
base of the shaft has a diameter of at least 50 feet, and the height to
the top is at least 150 feet. We did not see around the corner to the waterfall,
and therefore do not know if the pit is a dead-bottom. This is one of the
largest dome-shafts I have seen north of TAG.
Garbage Pit:
The last cave of the day found nearby under a rock outcrop. I was not explored,
but Art noted that after a short crawl a 30-40 foot pit was encountered
with bags of garbage in the bottom. Why anyone would hike up the mountain
with their trash to throw it away in a hole remains an enigma, especially
after seeing the state in which people live (the sides of the roads contain
more trash than vegetation).
The latest trip in Whetstone Valley was into Trash Mountain or otherwise called Saltpetre Pit. This was an overnight camping trip which was meant to test our ability to camp in a cave.
Camp was set in the second joint room and exploration from there pushed at least 200' beyond the edge of the 1974 DASS map. The cave splits in three directions beyond here and requires further study. The middle branch was found to open into a room with a possible climb down into it.
Camp was cold but durable, but it was almost too quiet. Once asleep I stayed asleep, 6 hours beyond our expected departure time! I heard some flack from that one.
Party members: Lee Florea Chris Ping Brian Barnes Clayton Stogsdill I liked this trip, but little exploration was accomplished. Therefore I give it three salamanders.
11-4-95
Wells Cave Scrambles: A series of very pleasing trips were made in Wells Cave over the summer. One was made with a number of members from the Green River Grotto. This trip included Lee Florea, Karl Niles, Russel Connor, Steve Capps, Kevin Downs, and John. A second was a lead checking trip with Lee Florea, Chris Ping, Howard, and his son. Another was a push trip in the Left River consisting of Lee Florea, Kevin Downs, and Jenny Downs.
The latest trip to the Obey River Gorge area was conducted on the weekend of Oct. 14.
Art Pettit and myself met in Albany Ky. around 10 AM EST on Sat.. From there we traveled to Jamestown Tn. and proceeded to the gorge area from the north.
The objective was simple. We were to descend into the Lost Creek Valley to investigate and possibly map a rumored 3000' cave in the headwater regions. The problem was getting to the location. The only way in was by old jeep and logging roads which proved both hard to find and virtually impossible to travel due to the rain which was falling at the time and had been falling the entirity of the previous night.
We entered through Indian Creek Valley around 11 AM EST and exited through Bill's Creek Valley around 3:30 PM EST.
Bill's Creek Sucks!
Three caves were explore along the banks of the Obey River, but none of these extended beyond 100'. A large Boling spring was observed which is thought to be the discharge point for Piney Creek to the south.
I hate giving this trip a full salamander; however, I cannot find an way right now to split a gif.
Tho Obey River Gorge is not giving up easily. This last trip that was taken into the gorge was even less fruitfull than the previous Bill's Creek fiasco. The first mistake I made was to go on this trip after being ill. This plus the fact that the weather outside was bitter cold made for an interesting day.
Art Pettit and myself hiked along the hillside near the highway 82 bridge looking at a few sinkpoints indicated on the topo-sheet. Then we proceeded to The Lot-Dean entrance of Mountain Eye cave system to check it out. The resurgence spring for this cave was tremendous. We could not figure out where the water had been coming from, because there had not been any rain recently. We did not penetrate far into the cave, because everywhere we went, we were presented with fast flowing, high volume rivers that reqired wading. It would have made a exciting kyack ride. Anyways, I became rather sick for the next few days. Another one salamander trip.
