The Nakimu Caves, Glacier Dominion Park, B. C.Canada. National Parks Branch
Science
The Nakimu Caves, Glacier Dominion Park, B. C.
Canada. National Parks Branch
Nakimu Caves (B.C.)
“The Subway is about 10 to 15 feet wide and from 7 to 2 feet high; the
roof is arched and covered by moisture drops, which are very unpleasant
when they find their way down your back. The floor is of broken rock,
rising to a ridge along the centre of the passageway.
“From the meeting of the ways, just beyond the Art Gallery, the passage
continues southeasterly, ever increasing in interest. In the next 200
feet, it varies in width from 15 to 30 feet with a height of 10 to 15
feet. On the right is a narrow twisting side-opening named ‘The Gimlet.’
On the left are two concave sections of old potholes, leading into the
most subterranean depths. They are profusely decorated by florescent
carbonate incrustations, the first one being named ‘The Dome’ from its
perfect formation. Minor passageways lead from them at a still greater
depth. The most southerly one connects with ‘Judgment Hall,’ to be
described further on (see map). In this section the underground course
of Cougar creek crosses the corridor, at a considerable depth below, and
the roar of the hidden waters is transferred from the left to the right
hand.
“A narrow opening, 1½ feet wide and 15 feet long, now leads to
‘Carbonate Grotto’ where are seen very fine calcium decorations. The
Cavern containing the grotto is about 60 by 30 feet, with a height
varying from 10 to 15 feet. For the next 130 feet the passage varies
from 8 feet wide and 5 feet high at the upper end to 20 feet wide and 5
feet high at the lower end. The sides are hung with rock shelves, and
spotted with lime incrustations; the bottom is much impeded by fallen
blocks. You now find yourself in a cul-de-sac and apparently at the end
of the series. Not so, however, for by squeezing through a narrow
opening on the right, barely noticeable in the darkness, you are enabled
to descend to probably the largest cavern of all, at a depth of 57 feet
below the corridor just left. The chamber, 200 feet long, 20 feet wide
and 40 to 50 feet high has been named ‘Judgment Hall,’ on account of a
pillar which might stand for the pillar of justice. The floor is
littered by blocks broken from the roof and sides which lie piled in
great heaps at the north end. The roof is roughly arched, and the sides
rise upwards in parallel ledges resembling shelves. Roof, sides, and the
rocks piled on the floor, are covered by the white calcite and, in many
places, present most beautiful patterns and beds of florescent
formations. The north end is connected by a rough passage with one of
the potholes referred to below the meeting of the ways.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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