Cherney Maribel Caves County Park

Cherney Maribel Caves County Park
Manitowoc County Park
Cherney Maribel Caves County Park
Country United States
State Wisconsin
County Manitowoc
Location Manitowoc
 - coordinates 44°17′12.0474″N 87°46′30.3708″W / 44.286679833°N 87.775103000°W / 44.286679833; -87.775103000Coordinates: 44°17′12.0474″N 87°46′30.3708″W / 44.286679833°N 87.775103000°W / 44.286679833; -87.775103000
Area 75 acres (30 ha)
Founded 1963
Management Manitowoc County Park System
Location of Cherney Maribel Caves County Park in Wisconsin
Website: http://www.maribelcaves.com/

Cherney Maribel Caves County Park is a county park located near Maribel, Wisconsin in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. The park occupies 75 acres along the West Twin River. Cherney Maribel Caves consists of seven caves along a rugged cliff line that runs parallel with the West Twin River.

History

Cherney Maribel Caves was formed primarily by glacial activity during the last ice age. Glaciers wore down the surface of the land and exposed a layer of rock called Niagara Dolomite, forming the naked crags and cliff line in the park. Since then, the rock has broken down and decomposed, causing caves to form. Around 1892, the first of the caves were discovered on the property of Judge Henry A. Alrich, and was soon purchased by Charles Steinbrecker, who, in 1900, built the nearby Maribel Caves Hotel. Over the next several decades, many tourists made their way to see the caves. In 1931, Adolph Cherney bought the property, including the nearby hotel. On 5 November 1963, Cherney sold the cave property to Manitowoc County for $16,200, becoming the very first Manitowoc County park.[1]

Caves

Coopers Cave

Coopers Cave is located about midway along the park bluff, and is easily reached by a trail. The cave has a large rectangular entrance, and also has a small crevice looking entrance. It is a square tube solutional cave that is quiet and dry. About nine feet below the entrance is a natural spring that flows year round into the West Twin River.[2]

Staircase Cave

Staircase Cave is a small cave that is relatively not accessible because of its small size.[3]

Pancake Cave

Pancake Cave is difficult to reach as there are no trails that lead to it. The cave goes in about eight feet, and is shaped like a pancake.[4]

Tunnel Passage

Cave entrance at Cherney Maribel Caves County Park

Tunnel Passage was discovered in 2005. The cave goes in about 20 feet, and is approximately three feet tall.[5]

Spring Cave

Spring Cave is a small cave that is not accessible since it is on adjacent private property. A natural spring flows from the cave, which was previously used by the nearby Maribel Caves Hotel.[6]

New Hope Cave

New Hope Cave is one of the largest caves in the park. There are several examples of stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, and cave bacon. The cave is still being excavated. Many college professors use this cave as a living laboratory to help teach their students.[7]

Tartarus Cave System

The Tartarus Cave System is a large system of caves in the park, and is still being excavated. It has three entrances: Tunnel Passage Entrance, the Tartarus Cave Entrance, and the Split Rock Cave Entrance.[8]

Amenities and Features

The park offers a playground, along with a picnic area and hiking and biking trails. There are temporary bathrooms located near the picnic area. Among the cliff line, there are several varieties of rare ferns, along with creeping plants and wild flowers. The beauty of the area made it a popular tourist destination even before Manitowoc County acquired the property in 1963.[9]

2013 Tornado

In August 2013, a tornado ripped through Cherney Maribel Cave County Park. The tornado destroyed over seventy-five percent of the trees, along with the picnic shelter and the restrooms. The park will be closed for several months to allow for clean up. The park will reopen on 1 June 2014.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Wisconsin Speleological Society". Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "Coopers Cave". Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "Staircase Cave". Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "Pancake Cave". Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Tunnel Passage". Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Spring Cave". Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  7. ↑ "New Hope Cave". Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "Tartarus Cave System". Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "Manitowoc County Recreation Department". Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  10. ↑ "NBC 26". Retrieved 30 May 2014.

External links

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