January 19, 2010 - Kartchner Caverns, Benson, AZ

Between these two peaks is a `live` cave that was discovered by two young cavers in 1974 at the base of the Whetstone Mountains. In the bottom of a sinkhole they found a narrow crack leading into the hillside. Warm, moist air flowed out, signaling the existence of a cave. After several hours of crawling, they entered a pristine cavern. During four years of secret exploration, the discovers realized that the cave`s extraordinary variety of colors and formations must be preserved. In 1978 the discovers told the land owners about their amazing discovery and the cave`s exsistence became public knowledge in 1988 when it was purchased by Arizona State Parks. Extraordinary precautions have been taken during developement and operations to protect the cave`s natural environment. This live cave is host to a wide variety of unique minerals and formations. Water percolates from the surface and calcite formations continue to grow, including stalactites dripping down like icicles and giant stalagmites reaching up from the ground.  

http://www.explorethecaverns.com/cave-tour.html