"Alabaster Caverns" Traditional Cache
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(regular)
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"Alabaster Caverns"
Alabaster Caverns State Park, the largest gypsum cave in the world open to the public, is 3/4 of a mile long. Its rock and mineral formations can be seen in few other places. Massive boulders of alabaster and a fine-grained mass of gyp is seen in pink, white, and even a rare black. Alabaster Caverns is also the home to five species of bats: Cave Myotis, Western Big-eared Bat, Eastern Pipistrelle, Western Big Brown Bat, and the Mexican Free-tail Bat. The cave tour requires about one hour to complete. Visitors should wear good walking shoes and a light jacket. The average temperature, of the cave, is about 50 degrees. Guided tours begin on the hour, 8am to 5pm, every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are also five undeveloped caves in the park that may be explored by having the required safety equipment and by obtaining a permit from the park office. This "wild caving" is only permitted March through September. The park also has hiking, camping, and picnicing. For information about Alabaster Caverns State Park camping and tour rates, please call the park office at 580-621-3381. Just west of Alabaster Caverns State Park is the "Selman Bat Caves" The 340 acre Selman Bat Cave Wildlife Management Area is home to one of the largest maternity colonies of Mexican Free-tail Bats. Approximately 1 million bats inhabit the caves in the late summer months. The caves are not open to the public, however, bat watches are scheduled for weekends in July and August. For information or reservations, please call the Oklahoma Wildlife Deptartment Wildlife Diversity Program at 405-424-0099. This geocache is available between 8:00AM and 5:00PM everyday except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The cache is a blue and clear plastic "tote" placed behind the counter in the park office. Just walk in and ask the person in-charge for the geocache. The staff is very friendly and helpful. This cache was placed here with the permission of the park manager, Mr. Mike Caywood. Mike is a good, personal friend of mine. Mr. Caywood is also the crew advisor for Venture Crew 393. I am also one of the advisors. Venture Crew 393 is chartered with Alabaster Caverns and the American Red Cross. This group of young people perform all kinds of public services and assist in all kind of emergency situations in northwest Oklahoma. They also assist in the Selman Bat Tours and giving guided tours of the "wild caves" for groups like churches, schools, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts. After finding this cache, please plan to stay and tour the "main cave". Spend some time in one of Oklahoma's most unique state parks.
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