The City of Neoso has evolved quite a bit Since its meager benining. I spent a large portion of my childhood in this town learning about the history of the town . The city has several nicknames, one of which is "The City of Springs"
One of the natural effects of a large spring in an area with a high amount of limestone is caves. This park by itself has caves that have become an intregal part of Neosho's history.
This Park has some rumorsbased in it fromy being used most likely by the Osage Indians as a trading ground, used by the Confedercy as a staging ground for attacks then blown up by the union which trapped soliders and (Rumored) Confederate gold stores inside.
Several attempts have been made to find the opening of the cave after the second time it was blasted shut. The mouth of the spring is unknown, it is rumored to be in the Stair Step Cave . Due to the amount of limestone in the area some Geologists believe the cave system in the area if found, would rival that of Carlsbad Caverns.
The Cave at this waypoint is commonly referred to as "Stair Step Cave" which is also rumored to be part of the entrance to Abbott cave but no one is for sure. While here, you can step down into the water that emerges from the earth and even in late august not stand but for a few seconds. If you would just like to cool off, the cave is also always 10-15 degrees cooler.
Stairstep cave was formed by means of an artesian well. As groundwater settles into an underground aquifer, excess water is being pushed to the surface. As it happens this pathway is going through a formation of limestone. The water which is slightly acidic softens the limestone and has slowly been eroding away forming the this large cavity in the Hillside. The spring in Stair step cave emerges, and then goes back under the cliff between the layers of rock, also known as a bedding plane. The spring then re-emerges, farther down in the park, at the iconic stone bridge .
This spring flows year round, so as the groundwater rises and lowers the Infamous caves in this hillside could still be growing. As noted by several people, the spring in stair step cave is always flowing clean and clear. However at the other end of the park where the iconic stone walk bridge is, the water is often seen emerging as murky or filled with sediment. This tends to make people think that the cave system is still growing.
To obtain a "Find" for this earth cache, please submit you answer to one ofthe following question to our account, or use the messaging feature. 1. How Many steps down does it take to reach the bottom water level of the cave. 2. Approximatley how wide is the opening to this cave .
Permission granted by the Neosho Parks Department . 203 E. Main Neosho, MO 64850 Ph: 417-451-8090
Also Thanks to Stearman5 for giving me the idea for this cache !
-Please post pictures.
-Write a caching memory if desired.
-Please be sure to replace the camo to ensure its not muggled.
-Permission was granted by the owner, Please be respectful of the property.
-Cache is able to be retrieved in flip flops if needed (Very little bushwacking).
