Timpanogos Cave is a family favorite in Utah. The hike to the cave is strenuous, but offers stunning views of American Fork Canyon, and the cave tour introduces you to natural wonders unlike any other.
Timpanogos, Hansen and Middle caves were discovered in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, thousands of visitors enter Timpanogos Cave every year, but that’s nothing new – visitors have marveled at the wonders inside the cave for more than 100 years. Check out these early photos of Timpanogos Cave:
The history of Timpanogos Cave actually starts with nearby Hansen Cave. It was discovered in 1887 by Martin Hansen. He built a rudimentary trail up the mountain and offered cave tours there from 1888-1891.
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Here’s an early photo of Hansen Cave. Many Utahns visited the cave long before Timpanogos Cave was discovered.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Two 14-year-old boys discovered Timpanogos Cave in 1913. Pictured here is James W. Gough on the left, and Frank Johnson on the right.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument The boys were exploring Hansen Cave with a larger group, and got bored and began exploring the cliffs outside the cave. While poking around, they dislodged a rock, which fell into the cave. James and Frank returned to the group at Hansen Cave to tell them of their discovery, and the group explored the cave. Not long afterward, a rock slide covered the entrance to the cave, and later explorers were unable to locate it.
The entrance to the cave was unknown for years, until 1921 when Vearl Manwill accidentally stumbled upon it while exploring nearby Hansen Cave. Manwill and his friends decided to do everything they could to preserve the cave…
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
…so they formed the Payson Alpine Club.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Building the trail to the cave was quite an endeavor. It involved lots of ropes and platforms…and dynamite to blast away part of the mountain!
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To further protect the cave, President Warren G. Harding established Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Visitors from all over the country began to visit.
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Here’s a photo of the Cave Keeper’s home, taken in 1930. Imagine living right at the park!
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In 1933, all the national monuments in the country were transferred over to the National Parks System, and rangers began to wear the National Parks uniform.
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Rangers have been offering cave tours since the 1920s…
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…and visitors have been in awe of the cave and its wonders throughout the decades.
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Field trips to the cave have always been popular with both schoolchildren and adults.
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At some point in the cave’s history, you could buy an ice-cold water or soda at the cave’s entrance…for just 10 cents!
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During World War II, soldiers came to Timpanogos Cave to hike its strenuous trail as part of training.
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A brand new Visitor Center was dedicated in 1963, and the American Fork High School Band was there to provide the music.
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Visitors around the same time period were often stuck on the canyon road while large herds of sheep were coaxed down the road.
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Sherma Bierhaus became the first female superintendent in the National Park Service when she came to Timpanogos Cave National Monument in 1974.
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Timpanogos Cave has always fascinated people, young and old. Today, the cave receives more than 100,000 visitors every year.
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For more information about Timpanogos Cave, visit its page on the national parks website. For the latest updates about Timpanogos Cave National Monument, make sure to follow its Facebook page.
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Timpanogos Cave National Monument
The boys were exploring Hansen Cave with a larger group, and got bored and began exploring the cliffs outside the cave. While poking around, they dislodged a rock, which fell into the cave. James and Frank returned to the group at Hansen Cave to tell them of their discovery, and the group explored the cave. Not long afterward, a rock slide covered the entrance to the cave, and later explorers were unable to locate it.
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Address: Timpanogos Cave National Monument, 2038 Alpine Loop Rd, American Fork, UT 84003, USA
