Please read this link about White-nose syndrome in bats. This is a serious problem that I'm sure everyone would like to help stop.
First and most importantly, about this earthcache, do not enter the cave with out the proper approval from the Michigan Karst Conservancy. Contact them at mkc@caves.org for details. The MKC has rules that concern the entry into the cave for your safety.
Karst is a term that was first applied to a plateau region of the Dinaric Alps in Yugoslavia. It is now used to describe similar regions throughout the world that have features formed largely by underground drainage. Karst terrains are characterized by caves, steep valleys, sinkholes, and a general lack of surface streams because drainage is underground. A consequence of this is not only a very interesting landscape (caves have fascinated people for millennia) with unusual habitats for plants and animals, but special problems in water supply, waste disposal, construction, and other land uses.
What does this have to do with Michigan, a land literally scoured by glaciers, a land covered with glacial clay, sand and gravel? Surprisingly, Michigan contains some areas of true karst. They are limited in extent, but this rarity increases their interest and importance. There is also considerable variety in Michigan karst areas: gypsum karst is found in Kent and Iosco counties; a significant amount of surface drainage goes underground in Monroe County, and reappears at "blue holes" in Lake Erie; spectacular sinkholes and earth cracks are found in Alpena and Presque Isle counties; and the broad band of outcrops of the Niagara Escarpment in the Upper Peninsula hosts a number of karst sinks, springs and caves.
The Fiborn Karst Preserve was a limestone quarry from 1905 through 1935. Check out this link for more history of this area. The cave is 650 feet long and ends at the West Branch Hendrie River. It also has a water fall of about 6 feet.
When walking this area stay on the trail. The area has many sink holes of various sizes. You wouldn't want to fall into any of them. The cave opening is an opening in the flat ground. You could easily walk into it if you were not paying attention. Besides, the MKC does not want any one to enter any sink hole as this action causes soil to be pushed farther into the sinks that nature can allow for.
To log your find please email the cache owner the answers to the following questions:
1.) Southeast of the cave’s entrance there are some land bridges (or arches), tell me how many?
2.) Estimate the distance of the cave floor from the soil’s surface. Don’t enter this area, either use a string or give me a good guess.
Not required but always a pleasure to see, please post your photographs too.
To email your answers please click here to open a new email.
This cache is located within the Fiborn Preserve, which is owned and managed by the Michigan Karst Conservancy. All of the preserves managed by the MKC are free to visit. Parking is allowed only in the designated areas. Always practice Cache In, Trash Out.