Angel Wings and Coral Trees: Caverns of Sonora

'The most beautiful show cave on the planet' celebrates 50 years of inspiring awe

Some caves scatter their treasures over many miles of underground passageways. Not so the Caverns of Sonora in southwest Sutton County, which displays its beautiful, varied crystalline formations in a compact setting. Once you’re inside the “decorated” section of the cave, the space envelops you like a giant, sparkling geode. “It’s internationally recognized as the most beautiful show cave on the planet,” says George Veni, Executive Director of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

The Caverns’ beauty lay concealed from human eyes for many years, even after its initial discovery in 1905 on the Mayfield Ranch by a sheepherder and his dog. Over the next half century, many a cowboy and local youth explored the dusty, 500-foot passageway that led to the brink of a seemingly impassable, deep pit.

In mid-August 1955, a trio of experienced cavers from Abilene—brothers Bob and Bart Crisman and their friend James Estes—stopped by the Mayfield Cave, as it was called then, after spending most of the day exploring another Sutton County cave. Unlike those before them, they spied a way around the pit, via a high ledge. Pressed for time, they didn’t proceed any farther. However, they shared their discovery with other cavers, and about two weeks later, five daring young Dallas men breached the chasm.

See the full article in the September 2010 issue.

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