We took a slight detour south off US 50 to see Great Basin National Park and to tour the caverns. The park is really for hikers and people in cars as the road to the highest peak, Wheeler, was not recommended for any vehicle over 24 feet as the road is so narrow and curvy. Even the parking lot at the cave entrance was small. Tours are limited to 20 people. The guide talked about the original entrance which was a 20 some foot drop on a rope then a tall ladder then some rock steps down into the tunnel to the main cave. He told us about the locals having dances down there and the Boy Scouts having camp outs. The fires they had to have darkened the walls somewhat. The Park Service took it over in the 1950's and even then allowed the Scouts to camp.
The guide also pointed out that the drapery stalactites made a sound and that the Park Rangers would demonstrated the different tones until someone finally realized that this was damaging the stalactites. I told him about the Luray Caverns organ which he had never heard of.
