29 August 2015, Saturday
After breakfast we return to Wind Cave, arriving for the 9:30 tour. The
caverns are huge and unlike the caverns we’ve seen in the East with
their stalactites and stalagmites. These caverns are noted for their
boxwork formations. Gypsum, which absorbs water, entered fissures in
the limestone which had been laid down in a huge inland sea. Calcite later crystallized in the fissures, and as the limestone gradually
dissolved, it left behind the “boxes” of calcite. Boxwork was
so-named because it reminded 19th century people of post
office boxes. On our tour the ranger also points out impressions of
sea creatures (?brachiopods) from 300-350 million years ago. The
formation of these caves preceeded the dinosaurs.
This formation contains hundreds of miles of caverns on three different
levels, all contained within approximately one square mile of earth.
The Sioux were long aware of the tiny vent opening discovered by the
Bingham brothers as they chased a wounded deer, but there is no
evidence that they ever used or explored the caverns. They referred
to it as “the place where the earth breathes” and believed their people
emerged from the opening. The first white man to explore the caverns
was Alvin McBride, who began his explorations at age 16 and managed
to map out 10 miles of cavern using only a candle and balls of twine!
After our tour of the caverns at a cool 54 degrees F we proceed to the
trailhead for Boland Ridge having both decided that we need some
exercise. Off we go in 90+ degree temperatures with a hot, dry wind
to “cool” us. We bring plenty of water and trail snacks of mixed
nuts, dried cherries and m&m’s. In this heat the m&m’s melt
in the bag, not in our mouths, and the water we are carrying tastes
like warm, weak tea.
The surrounding countryside is again beautiful, mixed grass prairie and
ponderosa pines. Speaking of ponderosas, it reminds us both of the
opening sequences of Bonanza. The only thing not quite right is the
haziness of the blue sky and of the mountains in the distance. Two
other campers who have camped here often told us the skies are
usually brilliant crystal blue. Apparently, the fires in the
Northwest are taking their toll. Even the weather service forecast
mentions the smokey haze. Flags at the national parks and forests
are at half mast for the fire fighters who have lost their lives
fighting these blazes.
We complete our 5 ½ mile hike and return to camp covered in our own
personal salt crystal formations. The showers at the state park are
delightful. The weekend “crowd” is present and the evening is
smokey with local campfires. Tomorrow, on to Devils Tower National
Monument in Wyoming and then to Billings, Montana.