Rocky Mountain Caving
@rockymtncaving.bsky.social
News and information about caves, caving and cavers in the Colorado Rocky Mountain West. https://rockymountaincaving.com/
Colorado cavers are greatly saddened by the unexpected passing of Colorado Springs caver Mike Frazier on December 6. A veteran caver, Mike was active in Colorado and Mexico cave exploration. With his wife Donna, he was the owner of the Defiance Cave Preserve at Glenwood Springs.
December 7, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Colorado cavers are greatly saddened by the unexpected passing of Colorado Springs caver Mike Frazier on December 6. A veteran caver, Mike was active in Colorado and Mexico cave exploration. With his wife Donna, he was the owner of the Defiance Cave Preserve at Glenwood Springs.
If you are a biologist with an interest in bats, Bat Conservation International has a salaried full-time position for you. Based in New Mexico or Arizona, the successful candidate will work to conserve and protect bats in a highly collaborative position. Apply today: buff.ly/i1imAwK
November 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
If you are a biologist with an interest in bats, Bat Conservation International has a salaried full-time position for you. Based in New Mexico or Arizona, the successful candidate will work to conserve and protect bats in a highly collaborative position. Apply today: buff.ly/i1imAwK
Thinking about Christmas? @MTStateParks is once again offering candlelight tours of scenic Lewis and Clark Caverns near Bozeman during late December. Tickets will be available online starting December 1: buff.ly/IRbCrjv
November 9, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Thinking about Christmas? @MTStateParks is once again offering candlelight tours of scenic Lewis and Clark Caverns near Bozeman during late December. Tickets will be available online starting December 1: buff.ly/IRbCrjv
Interested in learning about Colorado caves? Glenwood Caverns' Khloe Everett is presenting a free talk about caves and caving the morning of November 8 at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library. The talk is sponsored by the Glenwood Historical Society. buff.ly/E1xsOia
November 7, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Interested in learning about Colorado caves? Glenwood Caverns' Khloe Everett is presenting a free talk about caves and caving the morning of November 8 at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library. The talk is sponsored by the Glenwood Historical Society. buff.ly/E1xsOia
From the late 1920s to mid 1930s, Col. Thomas Boles served as the superintendent of New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns National Park. He often led tours into the Lower Cave, where he showed visitors a column known today as the Col. Boles Formation. Interesting history: buff.ly/8ZHDPmo
November 6, 2025 at 5:18 PM
From the late 1920s to mid 1930s, Col. Thomas Boles served as the superintendent of New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns National Park. He often led tours into the Lower Cave, where he showed visitors a column known today as the Col. Boles Formation. Interesting history: buff.ly/8ZHDPmo
Even though unseasonably warm weather and low snowpack allows access to the high country in Colorado and other Rocky Mountain states, several federally-owned caves like Fulford Cave near Eagle are closed for bat protection. Be informed before you go cave exploring: buff.ly/RfWbnFY
November 5, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Even though unseasonably warm weather and low snowpack allows access to the high country in Colorado and other Rocky Mountain states, several federally-owned caves like Fulford Cave near Eagle are closed for bat protection. Be informed before you go cave exploring: buff.ly/RfWbnFY
Montana's Rocky Mountain Grotto has released the tentative schedule for 2026 survey trips into the Bighorn-Horsethief Cave system near Lovell, Wyoming. Trips to this multi-mile cave begin in late April. Learn more about the project: nrmg.org/bighorn-hors...
November 4, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Montana's Rocky Mountain Grotto has released the tentative schedule for 2026 survey trips into the Bighorn-Horsethief Cave system near Lovell, Wyoming. Trips to this multi-mile cave begin in late April. Learn more about the project: nrmg.org/bighorn-hors...
Wyoming's Boulder Choke Cave in Sinks Canyon State Park near Lander offers seasonal wild caving tours for agile visitors. Water from the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River, which disappears into a mammoth cave entrance, can be seen along the tour route. buff.ly/A5y4CPv
November 2, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Wyoming's Boulder Choke Cave in Sinks Canyon State Park near Lander offers seasonal wild caving tours for agile visitors. Water from the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River, which disappears into a mammoth cave entrance, can be seen along the tour route. buff.ly/A5y4CPv
It's been three years but there's no sale yet for the Cave of the Chimes property on Iron Mountain above Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The $2.45 million cost for this unique cave house and 25 surrounding acres represents a serious investment. buff.ly/SkHhM3c
October 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
It's been three years but there's no sale yet for the Cave of the Chimes property on Iron Mountain above Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The $2.45 million cost for this unique cave house and 25 surrounding acres represents a serious investment. buff.ly/SkHhM3c
Montana’s Legislative Fiscal Division analyzed the 2026 federal budget impacts to state and local government. Their report shows that the proposed budget will reduce or eliminate federal grants, including the national response to the deadly white-nose syndrome for bats. buff.ly/wGIU0Bw
October 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Montana’s Legislative Fiscal Division analyzed the 2026 federal budget impacts to state and local government. Their report shows that the proposed budget will reduce or eliminate federal grants, including the national response to the deadly white-nose syndrome for bats. buff.ly/wGIU0Bw
For at least 100,000 years, wild animals have abruptly fallen 100 feet to their deaths in Wyoming’s Natural Trap Cave. Since the 1970s, university scientists have excavated perhaps 1 percent of the bones in this important Bureau of Land Management cave near Lovell: buff.ly/jUk07sS
October 23, 2025 at 10:08 PM
For at least 100,000 years, wild animals have abruptly fallen 100 feet to their deaths in Wyoming’s Natural Trap Cave. Since the 1970s, university scientists have excavated perhaps 1 percent of the bones in this important Bureau of Land Management cave near Lovell: buff.ly/jUk07sS
The passing this week of Tom Aley, the founder of Missouri's Ozark Underground Laboratory, recalls Tom and his wife Cathy's work at Wyoming's Spirit Mountain Caverns in 1979. Their report helped build public access to this BLM cave. Read more about Tom: buff.ly/6EqeDsk
October 22, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The passing this week of Tom Aley, the founder of Missouri's Ozark Underground Laboratory, recalls Tom and his wife Cathy's work at Wyoming's Spirit Mountain Caverns in 1979. Their report helped build public access to this BLM cave. Read more about Tom: buff.ly/6EqeDsk
Tours of South Dakota's Wind Cave and Jewel Cave remain shuttered owing to the continuing federal shutdown. There are no amenities or services available at the parks, though roads and trails should remain open for public access. www.doi.gov/shutdown
October 17, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Tours of South Dakota's Wind Cave and Jewel Cave remain shuttered owing to the continuing federal shutdown. There are no amenities or services available at the parks, though roads and trails should remain open for public access. www.doi.gov/shutdown
Utah's Nutty Putty Cave has been sealed since 2009, following the tragic death of John Jones. A new computer simulation provides an opportunity to explore this formerly popular cave. Utah’s Brandon Kowalis helped with the project. buff.ly/6YbefUa
October 14, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Utah's Nutty Putty Cave has been sealed since 2009, following the tragic death of John Jones. A new computer simulation provides an opportunity to explore this formerly popular cave. Utah’s Brandon Kowalis helped with the project. buff.ly/6YbefUa
Colorado caver Dave Jackson is well-known for his innovative CaveSim, a realistic cave simulation experience popular with students. The team at McCallum High School in Austin, Texas recently featured Dave and his artificial cave: macshieldonline.com/23885/featur...
October 14, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Colorado caver Dave Jackson is well-known for his innovative CaveSim, a realistic cave simulation experience popular with students. The team at McCallum High School in Austin, Texas recently featured Dave and his artificial cave: macshieldonline.com/23885/featur...
Colorado's Glenwood Springs or Rifle may host the 2027 National Caves and Karst Management Symposium. Defiance Cave Preserve owner Mike Frazier is seeking caver volunteers to coordinate the biennial session. A bid is planned soon.
October 12, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Colorado's Glenwood Springs or Rifle may host the 2027 National Caves and Karst Management Symposium. Defiance Cave Preserve owner Mike Frazier is seeking caver volunteers to coordinate the biennial session. A bid is planned soon.
Colorado's Defiance Cave Preserve at Glenwood Springs is among the numerous presenters at the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium at Ely, Nevada. The gathering of cave owners, management, conservationists, and scientists begins today. ely2025.nckms.org
October 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Colorado's Defiance Cave Preserve at Glenwood Springs is among the numerous presenters at the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium at Ely, Nevada. The gathering of cave owners, management, conservationists, and scientists begins today. ely2025.nckms.org
Nevada's Great Basin National Park is replacing the electric lighting system in beautiful Lehman Caves this fall. Cavers are invited to travel to the park to spend three day sessions to join in the project. Lodging options are available. Learn more and register: buff.ly/I2U2hyg
October 1, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Nevada's Great Basin National Park is replacing the electric lighting system in beautiful Lehman Caves this fall. Cavers are invited to travel to the park to spend three day sessions to join in the project. Lodging options are available. Learn more and register: buff.ly/I2U2hyg
The Grand Canyon Cave Research Project, founded by Montana caver Jason Ballensky, has explored, documented and studied numerous significant caves in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park. Colorado's Stephen Eginoire shares details of these underground wonders: buff.ly/BbKT6Ij
September 28, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The Grand Canyon Cave Research Project, founded by Montana caver Jason Ballensky, has explored, documented and studied numerous significant caves in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park. Colorado's Stephen Eginoire shares details of these underground wonders: buff.ly/BbKT6Ij
Western Colorado's spectacular Glenwood Caverns is in jeopardy owing to $205 million award for the tragic death of 6-year--old child in 2021. Ownership reports the multimillion dollar award to an immigrant family puts jobs at the popular natural attraction in peril. Details: buff.ly/D5CFAF6
September 25, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Western Colorado's spectacular Glenwood Caverns is in jeopardy owing to $205 million award for the tragic death of 6-year--old child in 2021. Ownership reports the multimillion dollar award to an immigrant family puts jobs at the popular natural attraction in peril. Details: buff.ly/D5CFAF6
Researchers led by Dr. Julie Meachen of Iowa's Des Moines University discover a nearly complete articulated mammoth skeleton in Wyoming's Natural Trap Cave. It's Meachen's last season at the remote cave, which has a rich collection of Late Pleistocene animal remains. buff.ly/ei5TG96
September 7, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Researchers led by Dr. Julie Meachen of Iowa's Des Moines University discover a nearly complete articulated mammoth skeleton in Wyoming's Natural Trap Cave. It's Meachen's last season at the remote cave, which has a rich collection of Late Pleistocene animal remains. buff.ly/ei5TG96
It's been 50 years since researchers from the University of Kansas undertook the first major paleontological dig at northern Wyoming's Natural Trap Cave. A 2009 post by Catherine Sherman reports on the dig at this nationally-significant cave managed by the Bureau of Land Management. buff.ly/7gmrgNt
September 1, 2025 at 3:53 PM
It's been 50 years since researchers from the University of Kansas undertook the first major paleontological dig at northern Wyoming's Natural Trap Cave. A 2009 post by Catherine Sherman reports on the dig at this nationally-significant cave managed by the Bureau of Land Management. buff.ly/7gmrgNt
Colorado cavers planning summer trips to the eastern White River Plateau should consider the Derby Fire. This growing wildfire has led to evacuations on Sweetwater Creek and a ready designation for Deep Creek, meaning evacuation may soon come. Keep up to date: buff.ly/1Jh4Owi
August 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Colorado cavers planning summer trips to the eastern White River Plateau should consider the Derby Fire. This growing wildfire has led to evacuations on Sweetwater Creek and a ready designation for Deep Creek, meaning evacuation may soon come. Keep up to date: buff.ly/1Jh4Owi
Western Colorado's scenic Glenwood Caverns has a long history of supporting local community organizations, including caving-related groups. Since its 1999 opening, the National Natural Landmark regularly gives back to Coloradans: buff.ly/pU1JB2K
August 21, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Western Colorado's scenic Glenwood Caverns has a long history of supporting local community organizations, including caving-related groups. Since its 1999 opening, the National Natural Landmark regularly gives back to Coloradans: buff.ly/pU1JB2K
In July, Jason Ballensky and other skilled cavers continued exploration of Bobsled Cave in Montana's remote Bob Marshall Wilderness. Surveying the cave found it to extend to 1,842 feet deep - the second deepest known cave in the United States. buff.ly/9l8TQpY
August 15, 2025 at 12:05 AM
In July, Jason Ballensky and other skilled cavers continued exploration of Bobsled Cave in Montana's remote Bob Marshall Wilderness. Surveying the cave found it to extend to 1,842 feet deep - the second deepest known cave in the United States. buff.ly/9l8TQpY