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Tips for Mammoth Cave?

PostPosted: Mar 12, 2017 10:47 pm
by tmazanec1
In August (along with the eclipse and other attractions) I plan to visit Mammoth Cave.
Any tips on touring the cave?

Re: Tips for Mammoth Cave?

PostPosted: Mar 13, 2017 12:32 pm
by CaverScott

Re: Tips for Mammoth Cave?

PostPosted: Mar 13, 2017 12:32 pm
by CaverScott
Once you decide which tour or tours, perhaps we can assist with some suggestions? :cavingrocks:

Re: Tips for Mammoth Cave?

PostPosted: Mar 14, 2017 8:22 am
by graveleye
We did the Frozen Niagara tour and it was very impressive. The stairway down from the dug entrance just about blew my mind. We've all rappelled pits, but to just walk down one on a stainless steel staircase is just crazy. Once on the bottom, you get to see a few larger breakdown rooms which are mostly featureless - still impressive though. Then as the cave gets closer to the surface, the formations start showing up and getting larger. Among those features is the Frozen Niagara, which is a a large white flowstone.
My only complaint was the lights around the formations have facilitated the growth of mold and algae on the formations, which is pretty ugly. I'm sure they clean them periodically though.

Re: Tips for Mammoth Cave?

PostPosted: Mar 14, 2017 8:27 am
by graveleye
It appears that the Frozen Niagara tour that we went on is now called the "Domes and Dripstones" tour.

Re: Tips for Mammoth Cave?

PostPosted: Mar 14, 2017 11:27 am
by ohiocaver
If you want pretties, Frozen Niagara (Domes and Dripstone) is your best option. The historic tour is just that - along with big passage. The Wild Tour gets off the usual tourist routes. Note that there are some odd requirements (like boots with laces) for that trip. I'd suggest taking the longer versions of any of the tours since a lot of the time is eaten up on the bus ride to the entrance. It is quite possible to book multiple tours (say one in the morning and another after lunch) on the same day - and, if you're going to be there for any length of time, I'd recommend doing that.