Exploring Lehman Caves in Nice Basin Nationwide Park is like moving into an underground wonderland full of dramatic rock formations, mysterious historical past, and breathtaking pure magnificence. On the Parachute Tour, guests can wander by way of beautiful rooms adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, cave shields, and historic inscriptions, all whereas studying concerning the cave’s discovery by Absalom Lehman and its significance to Native American cultures. Whether or not you’re planning a day journey or a multi-day journey in Nice Basin Nationwide Park, the Parachute Tour provides an unforgettable glimpse into one in all Nevada’s most fascinating and photogenic caves.
Do not miss in search of cave bacon within the Grand Palace
Lehman Caves Parachute Tour
My dad and I are spending just a few days exploring Nice Basin Nationwide Park, and earlier than I set off on the Wheeler Peak Summit Path this morning, we make a beeline for the Lehman Caves Customer Middle to hitch the ten:00 AM Parachute Tour. After grabbing our pay as you go tickets, we step outdoors for the ranger orientation. Ranger Victoria welcomes us, runs by way of the park guidelines, and covers some key security ideas. We’re fascinated to be taught that Lehman Caves has thus far averted the devastating white-nose syndrome that has impacted so many cave methods throughout the nation. To assist hold it that approach, we dip our sneakers in a particular decontamination answer earlier than heading in.
A brief stroll brings us to the cave’s new entrance. After receiving just a few extra security ideas and our trusty lanterns, Ranger Victoria collects our tickets and we descend into the cave by way of a clean concrete tunnel.
Under, a concrete path guides us by way of a sequence of rooms adorned with stalactites and stalagmites in all styles and sizes, completely lit up for viewing.
Our first pause is transient, after which we press on to the Lodge Room, the place Ranger Victoria introduces us to a number of the cave’s most intriguing options. Right here—and all through the tour—we see cave shields, giant, spherical speleothems that proceed to puzzle geologists. With over 500 shields, Lehman Caves has excess of some other cave within the nation—Carlsbad Caverns, for example, has simply 4.
The Lodge Room is steeped in historical past. Throughout Prohibition, locals from Ely would courageous the hour-long drive down bumpy filth roads to assemble right here, prone to talk about vital issues—and possibly sneak just a few bottles of booze.
Subsequent, we descend a small staircase and traverse an extended tunnel often known as the Panama Canal, rising into the Inscription Room.
Because the identify suggests, the ceiling is roofed in historic graffiti—names and initials etched by cave explorers and vacationers, some relationship again practically a century. Ranger Victoria factors out FS and USFS inscriptions, doubtless left by Forest Service personnel many years in the past.
On this room, we additionally discover Fats Man’s Distress, a decent squeeze above a slope that hints at much more hidden chambers past.
A couple of minutes later, we enter Cypress Swamp, named for the small, year-round pool to the facet. The room is adorned with fascinating cave popcorn formations, a cool sight that by no means fails to impress.
Lastly, on the tour’s turning level, we step into the Grand Palace, the most important room on the tour. Right here, stalactites and stalagmites nearly contact, leaving gaps no wider than a sheet of paper.
The room dazzles with formations like cave bacon, a wishing effectively, and, in fact, the tour’s star attraction: the Parachute Defend.
My dad and I snap picture after picture, mesmerized by the dramatic formations as Ranger Victoria shares fascinating tales concerning the cave’s discovery by Absalom Lehman and its wealthy historical past.
Curious concerning the cave’s Native American connections, we ask Ranger Victoria, who tells us the tales should wait till we exit. As soon as daylight hits our faces, she explains that a number of Native American cultures, together with the Western Shoshone, as soon as explored the cave. As soon as the daylight hits our faces, she shares that a number of Native American cultures, together with the Western Shoshone, traditionally explored the cave. Human stays discovered many years in the past had been respectfully repatriated close to the pure entrance, and inside the cave, talking of the deceased is taken into account disrespectful—based on the Shoshone, it could even summon their spirits. She tells us that we are able to go go to the pure cave entrance with a brief uphill stroll. We do, and discover that it is now only a small, caged-off gap within the floor, a humble reminder of the cave’s lengthy historical past.
Finally, this ends our tour. It’s been an unimaginable introduction to 1 facet of the park—an expertise I’d extremely advocate to anybody spending just a few days exploring Nice Basin Nationwide Park. Now, I am off to summit Wheeler Peak.
