“Mysterious Cave” could refer to more than one thing, including a location in Wasteland 3. The best-supported historical match is Timpanogos Cave in American Fork Canyon, Utah: its entrance was lost after its discovery in 1913, then found again by Vearl Manwill on August 14, 1921. The National Park Service’s account describes how a search near Hansen Cave led to the rediscovery—and why the group tried to protect what it found.
Which “Mysterious Cave” is this?
The phrase is ambiguous, so it should not be treated as a unique name. Search results include unrelated uses, including a Wasteland 3 game location. For a real-world history, the strongest match is Timpanogos Cave, whose lost entrance became the subject of local rumors and a 1921 search. The National Park Service recounts the rediscovery in its Timpanogos Cave history.
How was Timpanogos Cave rediscovered?
The search near Hansen Cave
After Timpanogos Cave was first discovered in 1913, its entrance was lost. Rumors of a “mystery cave” later revived local interest, and a 1921 article in an American Fork newspaper helped prompt a search. Vearl Manwill asked Martin Hansen for advice. Hansen suggested looking near Hansen Cave, at a similar elevation.
On August 14, 1921, Manwill and a group went to Hansen Cave. After seeing damage to its formations, they divided up to search nearby. Manwill climbed east of the entrance and noticed what he described as “artificial masonry.” When he kicked at it, rocks fell into a hole. He cleared the opening and recognized it as the lost cave entrance.
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Inside the cave
The group explored the newly opened cave, including a place they called “Father Time’s Jewel Box.” The rediscovery was not just a solution to a local mystery: the condition of Hansen Cave had made the risk of damage to cave formations visible to the searchers.
Why did the discoverers organize to protect it?
That evening, the group formed the Payson Alpine Club to protect the cave. The NPS history names Vearl Manwill as president and his sister, Elon Manwill, as secretary. On a later visit, Forest Service officials met the group at the cave and designated the site a Public Service Site, according to the NPS account.
The concern was part of a broader local debate about caves and their formations. The NPS history describes worries about mining claims and the possible sale of formations. It also reports that Wasatch Forest Supervisor Dana Parkinson told James W. Gough, “It would be illegal to molest any of the formations in the cave.” That is a historical statement recorded by the NPS, not guidance on current law.
When did the caves become a national monument?
The Timpanogos Cave System was designated a national monument on October 14, 1922, about fourteen months after Manwill found the concealed entrance. The NPS history presents preservation concerns as part of the context for protecting the cave system.
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What is the Timpanogos Cave System?
The NPS describes three closely related caves—Hansen, Middle, and Timpanogos—at about 6,730 feet elevation. They lie along a fault zone roughly perpendicular to the nearby Wasatch Fault. The caves are known for formations including helictites and aragonite. Across the three caves, the NPS reports 1.2 miles (6,257 feet) of surveyed passages. These are figures published in the NPS monument overview; the page does not state a reporting year for the elevation or passage figure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can visitors tour the cave today?
The NPS overview identifies an interpretive cave tour as the main attraction and says the caves close from mid-October to early May because of heavy winter snow. Those are general conditions in the overview, not a confirmed schedule for a particular season. Check the NPS visitor information page for current dates and availability before making plans.
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