Oregon Caves Celebrates 100 Years

Oregon National Monument: Actually 100 years is a relatively small amount of time in the "life" history of these fascinating caves located near the tiny southern Oregon town of Cave Junction. The 100 year celebration is a nod to President William Taft's 1909 designation of the Oregon Caves as a National Monument. Often referred to as "The Marble Halls of Oregon," these caves are worth preserving...and viewing.

Geologists say the cave's bedrock, originally limestone, likely formed around 240 million years ago, before being buried underneath thick piles of lava and mud. Pressure and heat from molten rock transformed the limestone into marble. In the last 1 - 2 million years, water has been the cave's patient architect, carving out hollow passages and building up striking formations shaped like parachutes, bananas, fancy draperies and gothic columns. There's also cave popcorn, formed in the direction of airflow, and moonmilk, composed of tiny calcite crystals, but with a look and feel of ricotta cheese. These crystals were once used medicinally by European peasants to heal livestock wounds.

The only way to enter the Oregon Caves is on ranger-led tours. The moderately strenuous, 90-minute standard tour meanders about a half-mile through sometimes low and narrow passages and climbs more than 500 stairs. Good walking shoes and warm clothing are necessities--the cave temperature is a nippy year-round 44 degrees. For those who can't take the tours--the first room of the cave is accessible.

For a full list of schedule activities, call 541-592-2100 or visit the Oregon Caves website. In an upcoming blog, we will highlight the beautiful Oregon Caves Chateau...a rustic Swiss-style, wood-framed building that is nestled in a forested ravine by the cave entrance.