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Springfield Plateau Grotto Caving Trips May 2006 |
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| Smallin Cave May 9 |
Jonathon Beard Jay Anger Dr. Bill Elliott Jim Kaufman |
Jay Anger
and Jonathon Beard hosted Dr. Bill Elliott and Jim Kaufmann of the
Missouri
Dept. of Conservation and the MCKC (Jim is prez). Bill and Jim were at the
cave to offer their opinions and suggestions regarding the old poorly
designed gate, recommendations for a new gate and to check for gray bats. Grays were not found, but measurements were taken at two possible new gate locations. Photo is of Jay Anger and Jim Kaufmann at the end of the concrete walkway, about 600 feet into the cave. |
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| Swartz Canyon Survey Trip May 27-29 |
Jonathon Beard Roy Gold Ben McCall Jack Rosenkoetter Bob Taylor |
It was the finale of Jon
Beard's 18-year survey project in Swartz Canyon. It is a 1.5-mile
steep-walled canyon with 56 gypsum caves ranging in length from 24 feet to
2,003 feet. The final cave was actually mapped last year, but there was
some surface tie-in work needed. Caves visited during the weekend
included McMoran Cave, Swartz Natural Bridge, Natural Bridge Cave,
Saturday Sinks Cave, Saturday Cave, Prickly Cave, Big Sink Cave, Parker
Bat Cave and Gypform Cave. The group also visited an area landmark known
as Swartz Mound, located near the mouth of the canyon. It was the site of
the original homestead by a Mr. Swartz. The only remains of the small
home are a few scattered bricks and a couple of dead trees. Photo of the mound with a small gypsum knob is called Swartz Mound and is found at the mouth of Swartz Canyon. Photo by Ben McCall. |
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