Moaning Cavern
Encyclopedia
Moaning Cavern is a solutional cave
located near Vallecito, California
in the heart of the state's Gold Country
. It is developed in marble
of the Calaveras Formation. It was discovered in modern times by gold miners in 1851, but it has long been known as an interesting geological feature by prehistoric peoples. It gets its name from the moaning sound made by water dripping into small holes at the bottom of the "chocolate waterfall" flowstone formation, causing a drumming sound, which would echo off the cave walls and be carried by the wind out of the natural entrance of the cavern.
The portion of the cave developed for tourists consists of a spacious vertical shaft 165 feet tall, which is descended by a combination of stairs and a unique 100 feet (30.5 m) spiral staircase built in the early 1900s. It is open to the public for walking tours, rappelling
, and spelunking
. Including the off-trail areas, the cave reaches a depth of 410 feet.
Moaning Cavern is also an archaeological site, where some of the oldest human remains known in America were discovered. The cave has long been the resting spot for the bodies of prehistoric people who fell into its opening. The bones were preserved by the mineral-rich water in the cave.
Meat Grinder: a passageway that is full of small stalagmites so spelunkers have to be careful not to cut themselves on the needle-like stalagmites.
Godzilla's Nostril: a stinky sloping tunnel that is filled with mud
Santa's Nightmare: a 10 feet (3 m) chimney like vertical cave shaft
The Guillotine: a small hole in the wall connecting to the main chamber and other tunnels
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
located near Vallecito, California
Vallecito, California
Vallecito is a census-designated place in Calaveras County, California, United States. The population was 442 at the 2010 census, up from 427 at the 2000 census. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark #273...
in the heart of the state's Gold Country
Gold Country
Gold Country is a region in the central and northeastern part of California, United States. It is famed for the mineral deposits and gold mines that attracted waves of immigrants, known as the 49ers, during the 1849 California Gold Rush.-Geography:State Route 49 was built through the Gold Country,...
. It is developed in marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
of the Calaveras Formation. It was discovered in modern times by gold miners in 1851, but it has long been known as an interesting geological feature by prehistoric peoples. It gets its name from the moaning sound made by water dripping into small holes at the bottom of the "chocolate waterfall" flowstone formation, causing a drumming sound, which would echo off the cave walls and be carried by the wind out of the natural entrance of the cavern.
The portion of the cave developed for tourists consists of a spacious vertical shaft 165 feet tall, which is descended by a combination of stairs and a unique 100 feet (30.5 m) spiral staircase built in the early 1900s. It is open to the public for walking tours, rappelling
Abseiling
Abseiling , rappelling in American English, is the controlled descent down a rock face using a rope; climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend without protection.- Slang terms :...
, and spelunking
Caving
Caving—also occasionally known as spelunking in the United States and potholing in the United Kingdom—is the recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems...
. Including the off-trail areas, the cave reaches a depth of 410 feet.
Moaning Cavern is also an archaeological site, where some of the oldest human remains known in America were discovered. The cave has long been the resting spot for the bodies of prehistoric people who fell into its opening. The bones were preserved by the mineral-rich water in the cave.
Named rooms
Pancake Squeeze: a narrow small room that is so small that it earned its name.Meat Grinder: a passageway that is full of small stalagmites so spelunkers have to be careful not to cut themselves on the needle-like stalagmites.
Godzilla's Nostril: a stinky sloping tunnel that is filled with mud
Santa's Nightmare: a 10 feet (3 m) chimney like vertical cave shaft
The Guillotine: a small hole in the wall connecting to the main chamber and other tunnels