[geocaching] Re: Green's Cave environs

most excellent info, thanks, 


Glenn

Exciting Info  is at: http://www.freelists.org/webpage/geocaching

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Earl and Lannis Hancock" 


> Hi All,
> 
> This post is some background on the area around Green's Cave.
> 
> Green's Cave is on Meramec State Park property, a legacy of the Green
> Family who generously shared their cave with floaters, and who lost it
> all to the Corps(e) of Engineers when the Army attempted to build a dam
> on the most cavernous piece of real estate in the state, perhaps, the
> country. Meramec State Park has 43 cataloged caves in it's 10.9 square
> miles.
> 
> There are three usual access points:
> 
>    * Float the Meramec from Sappington Bridge 2.6 miles upstream. 37 09'
>      13"  91 06' 55" (NAD27)
>    * Hike in from Hamilton Iron Works (listed on the cache page)
>      GEOCACHING - Details - Greens Cave Overlook by Butch
>    * Hike in from Hwy 185  (listed on the cache page) Same as above
> 
> The cave entrance is 90 feet high and 90 feet wide, being the largest
> cave opening east of the Mississippi. The overlook above the cave would
> have been a 10 foot drop into 95 feet of water had the dam been built.
> As it is now, it is one of the gems of the state, and the Crown Jewel of
> Meramec State Park. There is a gorgeous grove of cedar trees where you
> can pitch a tent at the edge of the bluffs! Almost a religious
> experience.
> 
> The cave should not be missed. A clear stream exits the cave, past a
> concrete picnic table built by the Greens for passing floaters. The
> dimensions get quickly smaller as you near the dark zone and climb a
> small waterfall into 6 foot wide by 10 foot high passage. Easy walking
> passage, formations are as good as in most show caves in this section, 5
> minutes from the entrance. Tennis shoes are good to walk in the ankle
> deep water, but with care you can keep your feet dry. This is a good
> turn around spot; because within a couple hundred feet the ceiling drops
> to a hands and knees crawl for 2200 feet to the end. (Did I say bitter
> end?)
> 
> Bring a camera and more film that you'll need! This place will bring you
> back.
> 
> Hiking the creek down Hamilton valley rarely involves more than a
> stepping stone ballet as you cross the creek twice. It drains very
> quickly, even after a downpour. I don't know anything about the hike in
> from Hwy 185. (I was trying to add a link to the River Gage at
> Sappington Bridge, but it seem to be down right now, along with the rest
> of the gov's sites.)
> 
> I'm looking forward to this one. Butch lives up to his reputation with
> this hike!
> 
> Earl and Lannis
> 
> 
> Info for this list is at: http://www.freelists.org/webpage/geocaching
> 

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