Quail Creekers await the Big Room Tour.
Bonnie Hyra
Sixteen Quail Creek residents toured the Big Room Complex at Kartchner Caverns State Park on Thursday, October 17 planned by the TRIPS Committee of Quail Creek. This area is closed from April 15 to October 15 each year to allow 800 to 1200 female bats to give birth, nurture and train their offspring for the trip south for the winter. Note: The Throne Room tour is available year round.
A movie and interesting exhibits tell the story of the discovery of the caverns in 1974 by two cavers who kept their amazing 200,000 year old discovery a secret until a final collaboration of agencies established the park. The living caverns and state of the art facilities were opened to the public in 2002.
“Wow!” “Amazing!” “Awesome!” were words heard as the Arizona Parks Ranger Guide highlighted the walls, formations, the discovery sinkhole and trail forged by the two cavers and other outstanding features. Cave Bacon was a new vocabulary word for the group. With much care this monument will stand forever.
Watch for future monthly trips in What’s Happening.