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Weaving Our Way Through HistoryAt Colossal CaveBy Jane Cassie
The Colossal Caves situated in the Tucson valley is just an hour’s drive from our refined refuge, the Arizona Inn and, although they both share historical happenings, this jaunt to ‘down under’ also adds an element of excitement.
As well as home and way station to almost half the bat species in Arizona, we soon discover that the cavernous cocoon is also a regular hangout for foxes, badgers, raccoons, skunks and legends of the past. “In the 1800’s these craggy interiors were a favourite hideaway for train robbers and bandits,” Mickey reveals. “And well over a thousand years ago they were used by the Hohokam Indians for storage and shelter.” We check out the well-preserved artifacts that once bore ritual significance to the Hohokam tribe. They include prayer sticks, also known as Pahos, small-scale bows, and reed cigarettes that were supposed to have produced symbolic smoke formations. Recent studies of two arrowhead artifacts found in Colossal Cave indicates that Sobaipuri habitation happened long before the Hohokam Tribe settled here. The proto-historic Sobaipuri people were thought to have occupied this location from about 1440-1850 A.D. and these ancient remains, that are bound to wooden shafts, are the only known examples of Sobaipuri arrowheads that remain.
As we plod through the labyrinth of tunnels that trail into the bowels of the bedrock, the half-mile journey, spanning six stories, stimulates the best of our imaginations. We pass by a scene that resembles the kingdom of elves where the geologically molded king rules over a castle from his governing throne. There’s also a rock and roll room featuring Kermit the frog and a one-eared Pooh Bear who is busy playing the drums. Icicle-shaped stalagmites suspend from the cathedral room’s heaven bound ceiling and, like cave bells, can create acoustics that are three times more effective than most recording studios. If all were to come to life, it would be an unbelievable volume overload. Instead, the rocky formations, glazed over by crystals and boasting hues from their iron oxide deposits, emit a silence that is golden.
The enchantment continues, and like mice following the pied piper, we are led through more of the mystical maze. “The cave has thirty-eight fractures and one major fault line,” Mickey imparts, “and we are standing on it right now.” We can clearly see the crevice that severs the rugged foundation and feeling a sense of uncertainty we continue to plod on. Shimmering with splendor is the crystal forest and silent waterfall where a dazzling display of flowstone has been frozen in time. We pass by the cave’s largest stalactite that weighs in at two and a half tons and appropriately goes by the name of Fang. We shimmy around Bone Crusher, a stalagmite that attempts to block our path, and we veer into the bottomless pit without letting our curiosity get the best of us. The Living Room is seventy feet below the parking lot and the lowest point in Colossal Cave. According to legend, it’s also the location where the bandits set up camp when taking refuge. “It may be a dream home for fugitives, Fodor and even Disney’s seven dwarfs,” Brent mocks, before winding our way back to civilization, “but it’s sure not the Arizona Inn!” Colossal Cave Mountain Park Where to Stay Arizona Inn Images compliments from Colossal Cave Mountain Park |
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The physically fit spelunkers suit up
with hard hats and headlamps. They’re told to remove cumbersome backpacks
that may hamper their maneuverability through claustrophobically-confined
spaces. “Does anyone feel uncomfortable with crawling through narrow tunnels
in the dark?” the guide inquires. Although sticking like glue to the
neighboring group of less adventuresome scaredy-cats, my heart does a
flip-flop for those heading off in this Wild Cat Cave Tour. 
While the agile explorers scale obstacles
and lunge into unlit passageways, our group chooses the road more traveled
where paving stones direct the way through illuminated tunnels of limestone.
Our unexpected entrance generates the flit and flutter from at least two
sets of wings, and before we can focus, they are gone from our sight.
“You’re really lucky,” Mickey, our cave-loving guide, declares with
enthusiasm, “Not everyone is privy to the bat sightings.” In spite our good
fortune, I realize that my sudden body chill has nothing to do with a drop
in temperature, as this subterraneous grotto remains at a constant seventy
degrees year-round.
We come to a rounded glossy protrusion of
limestone that goes by the name of Old Baldy and are informed to rub it for
good luck. “It’s been a long standing protective measure for anyone who
enters and exits the caves,” Mickey jests. “After all, you wouldn’t want to
fall into the bottomless pit, lose your teeth, or any other body parts!” It
was obvious that most visitors had abided by this ritualistic task, as the
head of the promising prominence was as shiny and smooth as a crystal ball.
We discover that most caverns are formed
by the action of rainwater with carbonic acid, but not so with Colossal
Cave. The hot sulfur-laden brine has percolated from below to dissolve away
the hollows and passageways that are now part of this underground
wonderland. Instead of burrowing beneath to the deep, the tunnels recede
into the body of the mountain, and therefore, are always maintained at a
comfortable temperature. The cave stopped being formed about four thousand
years ago and for the past seventy has been as dry as a bone.