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Open Thursday - Monday
from
Memoral Weekend
Through
Labor Day Weekend
Tours are at
10 a.m., 12 noon,
2 p.m., 4 p.m.
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| Gardner Cave is named for Ed Gardner, a long-time resident and bootlegger in the areas, who discovered the cave around 1899. In 1921, William Crawford, a local Metaline merchant, acquired the land around the cave and deeded 40 acres of it to Washington State Parks later that year. For this reason, the park carries his name. |
Facilities
Crawford State Park is located 11 miles north of Metaline in the extreme northeast corner of Washington State. From the parking lot, a paved trail leads up a small hill about 200 yards to the cave entrance. Cave lights, stairways and walkways have been installed to provide safety for the visitor and protection for the natural resource. A few picnic tables and a comfort station are near the parking lot.
Cave Hours
Access to the cave is by conducted walk with park staff. Crawford State Park is open in the summer months from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For special group arrangements, phone Crawford State Park at (509) 446-4065, or Mount Spokane State Park at (509) 238-4258
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Geological Development
Gardner Cave, with a slope length of 1,055 feet, is the second longest limestone cave in Washington State.
About 500 million years ago, much of North America was covered by an ocean. As sea creatures died, their shells settled to the bottom, forming a limestone ooze. This ooze eventually turned into a rock called the Metaline Limestone.
About 70 million year ago, as mountains were forming, this rock was folded and faulted.
Limestone will dissolve in acid, such as the acid formed when rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide, mostly from the soil. This weak acid seeps into the ground, and over hundreds of thousands of years, small cracks are enlarged as the limestone is carried away in solution. Eventually this process forms a cave passage.
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Cave Decorations
Drops of water find their way through the surrounding limestone to the cave passage. When exposed to the air in the cave, the carbon dioxide in the water is released. a deposit of calcite remains which is chemically similar to the original limestone.
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Stalactites - form as water drips slowly from the ceiling of the cave, leaving calcite deposits.
Stalagmites - form as water drips to the floor, leaving calcite deposits.
Columns - form when stalactites and stalagmites unite.
Rimstone Pools, or gours - form when constant drips from the ceiling drill holes into the cave floor. The holes enlarge and merge together to form small basins filled with calcite-saturated water. Ceiling water falls into these basins, causing a disturbance. The water splashes and flows over the outer edges of the basin to deposit calcite and create a rim.
Flowstone - is created by calcite deposits as water flows over walls and other surfaces. |
Things to Remember
A light jacket or sweater is recommended, since the cave temperature is 41 - 43 degrees F.
Although the cave is lighted, a flashlight will allow you to peer into corners and add to you enjoyment.
Cameras are welcome, but remember a flash.
To keep the formations colorful and bright, DO NOT TOUCH THEM! Touching them leaves oil behind, causing them to stop growing, and to turn from white to gray. Smoking in the cave also causes discoloration.
Leave your pets outside the cave.
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Washington State Park and Recreation Commission Information Center 1-800-233-0321
Reservations NorthWest 1-800-452-5687
Or Write
Crawford State Park
General Delivery
Metaline Falls, WA 99153
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