Crazy Horse Redux and Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota

By Glen Bruels
This is part of a series called National Park Slam 2015
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Hey! The sun came out and it was an amazing day out there today. We circled back on the Crazy Horse Memorial to actually see the sculpture and then headed to Jewel Cave National Monument. We even got to use our Crazy Horse Memorial Rain Pass from the previous day (I think that is the first time in my life I actually got to use a Rain Pass!)!  Jewel Cave was radically different than the Wind Cave that we went to yesterday. Wind Cave is more complex, with very narrow, winding passageways. It is also dry. Jewel Cave is much larger — whether in length or in the huge caverns that are part of it. It is both dry and wet, so small stalagmites (and stalagtites) are in evidence. It seems there is a friendly rivalry between these two National Park Service units, but both are beautiful! Tonight we are in Belle Fourche, SD, getting ready to head up to North Dakota and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Slowly, but surely, wending our way to the West!

So we finally got to see Crazy Horse. He is so much larger than the figures on Mt. Rushmore and, with only a handful of workers, it will take decades to finish this project.
So we finally got to see Crazy Horse. He is so much larger than the figures on Mt. Rushmore and, with only a handful of workers, it will take decades to finish this project.
Crazy Horse's face is largely done. Next to be done is the arm and hand that is pointing to the land where his people are buried.
Crazy Horse’s face is largely done. Next to be done is the arm and hand that is pointing to the land where his people are buried.
Next we were off to Jewel Cave. Lots of stairs in this cavern -- nearly 720 of them (60% down, 40% up!). It is truly cavernous and was amazingly beautiful.
Next we were off to Jewel Cave. Lots of stairs in this cavern — nearly 720 of them (60% down, 40% up!). It is truly cavernous and was amazingly beautiful.
Unlike Wind Cave, Jewel Cave was formed by the gradual dissolution of limestone by stagnant, acid rich water. Hence, it dissolved a lot of the limestone that was there, causing big caverns -- some of which collapsed as the water evaporated.
Unlike Wind Cave, Jewel Cave was formed by the gradual dissolution of limestone by stagnant, acid rich water. Hence, it dissolved a lot of the limestone that was there, causing big caverns — some of which collapsed as the water evaporated.
There are lots of different calcite crystals throughout the cave. While much of it is dry, you get to see some good examples of wet cave features.
There are lots of different calcite crystals throughout the cave. While much of it is dry, you get to see some good examples of wet cave features.
Clearly, the wet cave features aren't as dramatic of those at Carlsbad or Luray, but they are still very attractive.
Clearly, the wet cave features aren’t as dramatic of those at Carlsbad or Luray, but they are still very attractive.
Baby stalagtites!
Baby stalagtites!
Stalagtites meeting stalagmites.
Stalagtites meeting stalagmites.
There are a number of places where this iron oxide stains the rocks. It is thought that these areas might actually predate the formation of the cavern.
There are a number of places where this iron oxide stains the rocks. It is thought that these areas might actually predate the formation of the cavern.
Gooey!
Gooey!
Some amazing crystal seams throughout -- in this case with manganese.
Some amazing crystal seams throughout — in this case with manganese.
It's bacon! Well, cave bacon in this case.
It’s bacon! Well, cave bacon in this case.
There was so much to look at. So many different formations.
There was so much to look at. So many different formations.
Wish it was more in focus, but I love this picture.
Wish it was more in focus, but I love this picture.

 

This entry was posted in South Dakota, Travel
Glen Bruels

I am a traveler and sometimes clay sculptor, following a long career working in consulting. My work allowed me to travel the world extensively and I was hooked. Today, I travel with my wife/best friend to explore new places, meet new people, and learn new things.

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