Cave of the Mounds trip

Let’s start with credentials. Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mounds is designated a “National

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Natural Landmark,” yet it may be easier to remember it as the “jewel box” of America’s major caves, named as such for the delicacy of its formations. The main cave began forming more than a million years ago as acidic water dissolved the limestone bedrock. A lower portion of the cave was formed by rushing waters of an underground stream. Every drop of water entering the cave carries with it dissolved calcium carbonate, which leaves calcite crystals on the cave ceiling, walls and floor. It can take upwards of 150 years to deposit one cubic inch of these crystal formations. The cave was accidently discovered in 1939 when workers removing limestone from a quarry blasted into rock, revealing this stupendous underground cavern with rooms, galleries and nooks and crannies. Today, more than 25,000 students visit the cave each year. Choose a hot summer day to visit – the cave has the same temperature every day of the year, a cool 50 degrees. General Manager Joe Klimczak noted they’re still discovering more passageways: “The cave is still unveiling itself to us and we’re just a blip on the geologic timeline.”