![]() ![]() ![]() This story did not just spark a great legend to tell tour goers it also gave the cave a nickname, Robber’s Cave. Even today, people are still looking for the treasure hoping to stumble across it. The survivor never revealed where the loot was hidden, which is how the legend got its name. It is speculated that the train robbers hid the loot they stole somewhere in the cave before their deaths or capture. The lone survivor was sent to prison where he spent almost 2 decades. Once the Sheriff and the deputies found the bandits a shootout occurred, killing 2 of the train robbers. The bandits were then tracked by the Sheriff to one of the entrances of Colossal Cave. They were only found because they bragged about their accomplishments. The train robbers would likely have gotten away, even though they had left a blood trail out of the cave. It is rumored that the train robbers took upwards of $60,000, though Wells Fargo did not confirm how much money was stolen. They succeeded in stealing thousands of dollars, as well as gold and silver. The story tells of three men who robbed the Southern Pacific train twice over four months. In 1887, the cave system played a major role in a story now called the “Legend of the Lost Loot”. While the cave today is known for being a great tourist spot, in the 1800’s it was known for being a hideout frequently used by bandits. Though it was not always called Colossal Cave, when Lick first discovered it he named it “The Mountain Spring Cave” since it was discovered on Mountain Springs Ranch. While going around his property he discovered what he originally thought was a mine, that mine as it turns out was actually the cave system, we now call Colossal Cave. The cave was then “discovered” in 1879 by Solomon Lick who owned the area. Archeologists found evidence of the Hohokam using the cave as a temporary shelter. They created a highly advanced and successful network of irrigation canals that stretched for more than 150 miles that was used for farming. They were the earliest inhabitants and were the Hohokam. Then in circa 900 AD a civilization lived and thrived in this region that is now known as the state of Arizona. About 300 million years ago much of American Southwest was covered in water eventually the water began to recede throughout the years or eons of water erosion the cave dried out and became one of the largest dry caves of located in North America. The cave was first created over a millennia ago. Though in the summer months if you choose to go hiking it is highly recommended to bring a lot of water, a hydration pack would be a good investment if you are planning to hike in the summer, as heat stroke can be deadly. There are also other activities around the Colossal Cave area, including gem mining, a petting zoo, five miles of scenic trails, camping, and picnicking. Wagon Rides: 7.50 per person ($75 minimum) Pricing for the Trail Rides are as follows as of April 2022 (Rates via ): RV and Horse Trailer Camping: $15 per vehicle/night Pricing for Tent Camping is as follows as of April 2022 (Rates via ): If you enjoy other outdoor activities, you can also rent a camping area, or go on one of the various trail rides that are available. Only for the physically fit, able to scale obstacles and go through tight spaces Must be 12 or older and minors must be accompanied by an adultġ6 or older and minors must be accompanied by an adult The tours for the more adventurous people, include much more difficult terrain, but explore deeper areas of the cave that the Classic Tour does not cover.Īs of April 2022, the pricing for tours are as follows (Rates via ): There are several tours around the cave that are guided and there are a variety of tour options, catering to both the casual tourist as well as the avid adventurer. The cave also has a humidity of around 60%. Ĭolossal Cave Mountain Park is considered a great tourist destination, especially in the summer months as the temperature inside the cave system is typically around 70 degrees, even during the hottest parts of the summer. The 2 miles that are fully documented took 2 years to map and fully explore given the complexity of the cave system. It is estimated that there are over 39 miles of tunnels inside the cave system. Even though the cave has been known about for over 100 hundred years it is still not fully explored. Being a dry cave system means that the formations, such as stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and draperies are no longer actively forming. The cave is one of the largest dry caves in the United States. The address is 16721 E Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641, USA. Today the cave system can be visited as a part of the National Register of Historic Places. Colossal Cave is a large cave system that is located near Vail, Arizona. ![]()
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