Notes and Correspondence. 



59 



The Josephine County caves take rank with the natural wonders of 

 the world ; they have never yet been fully explored ; nobody knows what 

 future exploration may reveal; yet such investigation as has been made 

 establishes the fact that these caves are greater, not only in size, but 

 in geological interest, than the renowned Mammoth Caves of Kentucky. 

 A large mountain is honeycombed by the caves, and the lobbies, cham- 

 bers and galleries contain marvelous specimens of stalactites and stalag- 

 mites. Joaquin Miller, "The Poet of the Sierra," has visited the caves. 

 He pronounced them wonderful, and names which he conveyed still 

 exist, such as "Dante's Inferno," "Ghost Chamber," Bridal Chamber," 

 and "The Thorne." 



These caves lie in township 40 south, range 6 east, and are accessible 

 through Grants Pass. The Mazamas contemplate visiting the caves in 

 the spring or early summer — probably for a three-day stay the week-end 

 beginning Memorial Day, May 30th, the trip being the outgrowth of 

 correspondence with the Grants Pass Commercial Club. The caves are 

 about thirty-five or forty miles from Grants Pass, and can be reached 

 only by automobile or stage routes. However, citizens of Grants Pass 

 have agreed to furnish free automobile transportation for the Mazama 

 party to the end of the wagon road, six miles from the caves. More 

 than one hundred Mazamas are expected to make the trip (the expenses 

 will be nominal, for we expect to have our own commissary), and we 

 shall welcome any and all members of the Sierra Club who would care 

 to visit the caves along with us. Let this serve as an invitation to all 

 of you. 



Perhaps mountaineering organizations are not directly interested in 

 caves ; yet the purposes of the Mazamas are to explore mountains "and 

 to aid in the preservation of all features of mountain scenery in their 

 natural beauty." If the Sierra Club feels disposed to assist in this 

 matter of giving governmental protection to one of the wonders with 

 which the Creator has so singularly blessed the great Pacific Coast, the 

 Mazamas will appreciate it. 



Wishing your members continued good health and prosperity and 

 with the greetings of the Mazamas to the Sierra Club, I am. 



Yours very truly, 



E. C. Sammons, 

 Corresponding Secretary. 



