Post by jspiers on Nov 24, 2008 12:31:12 GMT -5
Success! We finally got into Robertson's Cave in Sevier County!
Robertson's Cave had been "lost," at least to our Grotto at the SMG, since 1970. Originally there were 2 caves listed "on the South side of English Mountain," but no location was given. In the latest copy of the TCS, they were listed as "destroyed due to development." However, Mike - cave finder extraordinaire - found them for us in one of his many conversations with locals from Sevier County. One of them had indeed been filled in with rubble, as the washout that the pit was in posed a danger to cattle and local teens who found it irresistible. However, the longest of the caves was still open.
We made several approaches to the manager of the farm where they were located, who is (fortunately) very protective of the cave that is left. After gaining his permission, Chris and I finally were able to visit the larger cave with the two teenage sons of the farmer.
The cave was exactly as described. There was a large passage to the left that includes several hundred feet of "stroll through" bore hole. This is not a very active cave, and does not appear to have ever been. There were a few formations, including some flow stone and soda straws, but for the most part, this cave had been dry for a very long time. The most interesting features appeared to be the absolutely wonderful erosion features, as well as the many names and dates on the walls. None were particularly old (earliest verifiable was probably 1880's) but the volume of female names made Chris suggest that this may have been an early 20th century site for church groups, as the cave has been easily accessible for a long time. We found some beer cans dating back to the 60's or 70's as well, which we decided were probably not from a church trip, but you never know!
The cave has formed along a seam between 2 types of limestone, and was pretty straight forward in it's development. There were some side passages that rapidly became too tight to crawl, but might be pushed in the future, with a really small person and a really big shovel.
The right hand passage was shorter, but had slightly more moisture. It has a very pretty flow-stone wall that is very bright white, and some more interesting erosion features. The end of this passage approaches very closely the end of the other (filled in) cave, but it is unlikely that a connection will be made due to the very small passage in the end, but who knows!?!
All in all, there is about 1000 feet of cave, but it travels like 300 feet in most East TN caves due to the ease of passage! We are hoping to return soon to update the map we have from 1970, and perhaps take some more pictures.
Anyhow, a good time was had by all!
JS
Robertson's Cave had been "lost," at least to our Grotto at the SMG, since 1970. Originally there were 2 caves listed "on the South side of English Mountain," but no location was given. In the latest copy of the TCS, they were listed as "destroyed due to development." However, Mike - cave finder extraordinaire - found them for us in one of his many conversations with locals from Sevier County. One of them had indeed been filled in with rubble, as the washout that the pit was in posed a danger to cattle and local teens who found it irresistible. However, the longest of the caves was still open.
We made several approaches to the manager of the farm where they were located, who is (fortunately) very protective of the cave that is left. After gaining his permission, Chris and I finally were able to visit the larger cave with the two teenage sons of the farmer.
The cave was exactly as described. There was a large passage to the left that includes several hundred feet of "stroll through" bore hole. This is not a very active cave, and does not appear to have ever been. There were a few formations, including some flow stone and soda straws, but for the most part, this cave had been dry for a very long time. The most interesting features appeared to be the absolutely wonderful erosion features, as well as the many names and dates on the walls. None were particularly old (earliest verifiable was probably 1880's) but the volume of female names made Chris suggest that this may have been an early 20th century site for church groups, as the cave has been easily accessible for a long time. We found some beer cans dating back to the 60's or 70's as well, which we decided were probably not from a church trip, but you never know!
The cave has formed along a seam between 2 types of limestone, and was pretty straight forward in it's development. There were some side passages that rapidly became too tight to crawl, but might be pushed in the future, with a really small person and a really big shovel.
The right hand passage was shorter, but had slightly more moisture. It has a very pretty flow-stone wall that is very bright white, and some more interesting erosion features. The end of this passage approaches very closely the end of the other (filled in) cave, but it is unlikely that a connection will be made due to the very small passage in the end, but who knows!?!
All in all, there is about 1000 feet of cave, but it travels like 300 feet in most East TN caves due to the ease of passage! We are hoping to return soon to update the map we have from 1970, and perhaps take some more pictures.
Anyhow, a good time was had by all!
JS