Easter Pit and the connection to Wyandotte Cave
Story and Photos by Glenn E. Lemasters
We stood in a place never before seen or touched by mankind, a place created long ago by the forces of nature and decorated with the beauty of earthly mineral deposits. We called it the Inner Sanctum. "This is what it's all about," I thought
Glenn E. Lemasters
It was an extraordinary discovery resulting from the determined efforts of four cave explorers. I was honored and humbled to be a part of the discovery.
Deep below the hills of Crawford County lay Wyandotte Cave. For centuries it has intrigued explorers with its depth and beauty.
It once was used as a valuable mineral source by Native Americans and early pioneers.
Parts of the cave later became a commercial attraction sporting guided tours for visitors from around the world. Those tours continue to this day, provided by Wyandotte Caves LLC, under contract from the DNR which manages Wyandotte Caves.
As a child I visited Wyandotte Cave. My infatuation with Wyandotte and other caves of the world has since become a never-ending passion.
I learned proper techniques for exploration, surveying and conservation of caves through 27 years of membership with the National Speleological Society. The NSS advances study, conservation, exploration, and knowledge of caves.
For years, cavers have walked the hills of Harrison-Crawford State Forest finding caves.
One such cave, Easter Pit Cave,was discovered by Leo Schotter about 1 mile northeast of Wyandotte Cave. In 1967, Leo showed the entrance to my good friend Ted Wilson.
The entrance, a 38-foot straight drop to the bottom, led to a passage extending for a few hundred feet. Below this passage, in an obscure lower level, they found another passage containing many tight canyons, pits and crawlways.
Due to the pristine and fragile nature of this area, and the physical hazards involved, the Easter Pit section of Wyandotte Cave is closed to the public, according to Tom Lyons assistant director for the Division of Forestry.
The general public only is allowed into other parts of Wyandotte during summer months, which helps protect the endangered Indiana bat.
Anyone entering any wild (non-commercial) caves anywhere on DNR property is required to fill out a daily caving permit which can be picked up at the property office.
People interested in recreational caving should contact the National Speleological Society at 256-852-1300 for information on their area.
Beckoned by strong air currents, a caver drops his legs into a slot leading to new discoveries at Easter Pit Cave.
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