[geocaching] Green's Cave environs
- From: Earl and Lannis Hancock <earlannis@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Geocaching List <geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002 16:40:08 -0600
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
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