Here are seven extraordinary naturally-occurring caves in Kentucky, plus two more of the man-made variety that we think are worth planning a trip for. Throughout recorded history, humans have flocked to such caverns for reasons ranging from the practical (shelter), to the spiritual (medicinal healing practices and burials) to the purely recreational-and today visitors can walk in the footsteps of these early explorers and marvel at ten million years of nature’s handiwork. Kentucky is home to such an incredible collection of caves thanks to its particular karst topography-rich in porous limestone-that facilitates the extended process of subterranean erosion. Miles deeper, in fact, with more than 130 known caves and caverns that punctuate the state’s rich soil. Derby hats are optional.īut beneath the verdant landscape that forms the backbone of such wildly popular attractions as the Kentucky Bourbon Trail ® and Churchill Downs, lies a jaw-dropping landscape waiting for nature-lovers and adventure-seekers who want to go deeper. To the right is a 360 picture of the Great Room at the bottom of the cave.For many, the mighty Bluegrass State conjures bucolic scenes of the American southeast: ribbons of pastureland speckled with herds of grazing thoroughbred spirited festivals and live music performances that capture the spirit of Appalachia finger-lickin’ homestyle flavors come suppertime and airy front porches that beckon visitors to slow down and savor a proper mint julep. Scott did much of the work himself, but many other people, including family and friends helped with the rebuilding of the cave. The wires are hidden, but the fixtures are visible, consequently, the cave is exceptionally well lit when compared to other caves. Scott has redone it with 207 LED bulbs using 1900 watts and putting out 155,250 lumens. The cave had been electrified with 279 floodlights, 27,900 watts total and 418,500 lumens. of steel I-beams, channel, angle, re-bar, grating etc, to rebuild stairs and bridges.Ģ,000 feet of electrical conduit and miles of electrical wire were installed. He also installed an additional 9,000 lbs. He installed 2,000 feet of hand rail, replacing almost all that was in the cave. The other half came in by wheelbarrow through the lower tunnel. Scott carried half of the concrete into the cave two 3 gallon buckets at a time, each weighing 65 lbs. Sara mixed 17 cubic yards of concrete weighing 68,850 lbs (34 tons). Hundreds of tons of rock, mud and dirt were hauled out by bucket and wheelbarrow. While in the cave, the buckets were filled with mud, dirt, rock and other debris and hauled back out. That is 1,080 trips into the cave with gravel. 54 tons of pea stone was carried into the cave by Scott, two 5 gallon buckets at a time, each weighing 50 lbs. He made concrete steps in some spots to replace steep trails. Scott lowered the trails so that there is more head clearance whenever possible. They have a great love of the cave and Scott feels it is his calling to rehabilitate the cave and share its beauty with his guests. It reopened on after being closed for nine years. He has also opened up new areas of the cave. Over the years Scott has replaced the stairs, bridges and railings, lowered and re-gravelled the trails and installed all new LED lighting. In 2015 they bought the campground and surrounding property. Then in 2014 they started working on rebuilding the cave. It took four years to sell their place in Michigan and get established in Cave City. They had the good fortune to track down the owners and buy the cave. Because of the nature of their business, they had been thinking of moving to Kentucky. They were disappointed to see that it was closed. Scott and Sara Sendtko had toured CRYSTAL ONYX Cave many times and in 2010 they returned for another visit. In 2009 it was sold to Cumberland Cellular, which has the towers atop of the Knob, and they closed the cave. It opened for tours in 1965 and was owned or operated by Ray Gossett, Wesley Odle, Ed Hay and Ed’s widow Karen. Cleon Turner found the cave in 1960, Ray Gossett financed the development and for five years they created trails, stairs and bridges.
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