5 Caves of Spring Mill State Park (Mitchell, Indiana)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2024
- Truly, Spring Mill State Park is one of the most amazing parks in Indiana, and a jewell in southern Indiana. It has a space museum, nature center, a place to rent paddle boats, a restored pioneer village, grist mill, 3 story museum, tons of hiking trails and five caves! You can even take a boat tour through one of them. Beautiful streams are everywhere and photography opportunities are abundant. Absolutely a must see if you’re visiting southern Indiana.
In this video, you'll see highlights of what Spring Mill State Park has to offer, hints on how to find the caves, and a short exploration of Donaldson (Shawnee) Cave.
Back in the 1960's when I was growing up, my family went there from Louisville at least once each summer. Some of the very happiest times of my childhood! The current day Nature Center was a bath house for the swimming lake back in the day. LOTS of the park buildings and improvements were built in the 1930's by FDR's "C.C.C." (Civilian Conservation Corps, a "New Deal" jobs program). Indiana made the decision decades ago not to maintain the lake, let it naturally fill in with sediment. Was sorry to see it go, but understandable. That lake was spring-fed, ICE COLD!!!
THANKS so much for the memories!!!
My pleasure, Jason! Any day I can bring back good memories is a good day! 🙂 My Mother took me to Donaldson, the village, and nature center after Dad died, and it was a good outing for both of us. I’ve since brought cousins here, dates here, and continue to come back and remember. 🙂
There used to be a wooden platform that would allow people to get into the "dry" side of Donaldson Cave, but it was removed around the time the white nose syndrom issue arose in bat populations, and because the wooden structure was falling apart. You could still find the concrete supports in the ground along the trail leading up to the cave. Now there is a new ramp that runs along the creek all the way up to the cave. It does hamper the appearance, but makes it more accessible. I prefer the old wooden one, as it seemed less out of place than the new metal ramp.
I have a mixed opinion about that new ramp. It’s really nice, but I remember all those years when it looked exotic and wild without it. I did another video showing the new ramp, in my Indiana caves video.
I had never heard of that park. I'd like to take my kids there this summer. Thanks.
The pioneer village is super nice and a nice walk along a stream
Back in 2007 they had a walk way that allowed entrance to the portion of Donaldson that you explored
They are currently building another, should be complete by spring 2023
I've been to Spring Mill State Park many times. Well worth visiting.
My favorite state park!
The hat shop in the pioneer village is an ancestral home from my Edwards family. Young Edwards from North Carolina built it and my Great-Great Grandmother Catherine Edwards was born in it at its original location in Bono Township. Loved caving there in my teens really cool to see those caves again...
They are putting a formal steel walkway into Donaldson now, should be complete by summer 2023. I liked it completely wild, but it will introduce some people to wild caves for the first time.
Used to go there every year, there's a pioneer graveyard close by as well. A lot of history to study there!
I almost included the Hamer Cemetery, but thought it might make a good segment later on. There’s a lot of history under those graves! I was back again, last weekend, getting in a few miles in perfect weather.
@@AdventureswithRoger good 👍 idea it would make a good segment love your videos!
@@robertholt6499 Thanks Robert! Some of these places have so much to offer, that it takes weeks to pull everything together. But, once it’s done, I can sit back and visit them anytime I want! It makes me happy that other people enjoy them, too!
Yup
Been there many times as I grew up close by
Wow that’s so beautiful and I’m very impressed to see what you can make out of that, very cool indeed
So many memories here! Thanks for creating and sharing!
I've been many places, but Spring Mill is still my favorite park! I'm always surprised when I meet people who've never heard of it.
Grow up in the 60s a great place to grow up, a lot of adventures.
Been their I think, saw mill was a big attraction. Had a big family picnic there.
That’s the place! Spring Mill is my favorite park.
Here’s the video about the village
th-cam.com/video/f6GzIVRIAGU/w-d-xo.html
@@AdventureswithRoger Thanks! It was so long ago. I vagly remember it. I was only 18 or19. Don't laugh I'm 71 now. I just remember haw nice it was and all the fun we had.. indian has lots of small creeks. My husband and I were baptized in the creek at Commiskey. In Oct. Had to break the ice to get in it. Commiskey is next to Vernon and North Vernon.close so of those other towns you mentioned.
@@patriciaberry4630Very familiar with Vernon and North Vernon! Most of my family live in Columbus, and my wife grew up in the country, north of there. I did some filming in Vernon, a few months ago, for a segment about Morgan’s raid. I’ve always liked the Vernon courthouse.
I’ve heard stories about breaking the frozen creeks open, for baptisms: a sure fire way to know a person’s serious! I heard a pastor say, “we used to break the ice to baptize people. Now people complain if the baptismal is under 98 degrees.” 🙂
9:35 looks like where water would drain through, for a reason from above
I've been wanting to go to that park real bad! Not to those caves though. Thank you that was really good. I just told another utuber about your lost river. He's in British Columbia and found a river missing with the foam an an water line but no water. He wants a answer. Destination Adventure i think. Hope your lost river provides him with a answer to his Ghost river. I'm gonna tell some other utubers ( Pin in the atlas) about you too. They are from out west an want to know more about Indiana. They live in their truck an go all over making videos. Really good people. I was supposed to get them information about Story Indiana but don't know how to send it to Email. I think your videos will help them alot for the next time they come to Indiana. Happy Halloween
Lost River has a bunch of stovepipe sized siphons that drain the river to the subterranean level. I wanted to get video of that, but it’s on private property.
I’m actually working about a segment that goes through Story. Hope to have it out this week.
@@AdventureswithRoger That's great then my friends can just watch your video and get all the info they need. I love Story. Thanks
I've walked down to Donaldson cave (im in ok shape not perfect) on a hot day and it felt WONDERFUL! I love the caves down there,.
It’s a truly beautiful area, one of Indiana’s gems.
@@AdventureswithRoger Sure is! I like it better than the UP of Michigan.
When I was younger, in probably about 1990 some friends and I went in Bronson cave and came out Donaldson I believe but I can't really remember for sure, it took a few hours and had to swim through part of it. We were very fortunate to make it out alive. Was a stupid thing to do but an older guy that was with us assured us he had done it before and knew the way. Our flashlights were starting to get dim by the time we made it out
Bronson to Donaldson is correct. People that have done it suggest a floatation device, you were blessed to make it out alive!
In the March 1986 issue of Readers Digest, ther was an article that caught my eye: "Caught in a Flooding Cavern". I did a double-take when I turned to the article, because the first four words were "Spring Mill State Park." On Monday, July 1, 1985 two guys tried going from Bronson to Donaldson. It had been raining for several days before they went in about 10am that morning, and while they were in there it started raining again, and the water rose on them. They were only wearing shorts and tee shirts and had only 1 flashlight apiece. One of the pair got washed out the Donaldson entrance and made his way up to the parking lot, where the park manager found him. His friend was stuck in the cave until Wednesday evening. The article made it sound like they were two hapless adventurers caught by natures fury, instead of a couple of dummies who were victims of their own stupidity. @@AdventureswithRoger
@imshadowinga The story made it to TV, on an episode of William Shatner’s “Rescue 911”. I’ve covered the caves of Spring Mill several times, warning people to follow the rules, that include getting training and registering your group, so they know if you’re not out in time. Those guys were blessed to make it out alive.
I remember when that happened, at least when we did it we knew the water was low and there was no chance of rain that day. It was stupid but I don't regret it, it was an adventure I'll never forget
We recently visited there. It’s a really cool place to visit. We hiked to two of the caves, Hamer and Donaldson.
If you hiked Donaldson, you are both in great shape! Tough trail but few places like it in Indiana.
@@AdventureswithRoger we were definitely pooped when we were done. Our video of it goes up on Friday 👍
That trail “cleanses the pores”. 😀
I swam in one... had 2 friends following me. It was fun. For a while. It was cold but enjoyable during summer. The cold was enjoyable because it was an air conditioner.
The day I made this video, it was pretty hot outside, think it was 90’s and very humid. By the time I got within 100 feet of Donaldson, it was like someone left a refrigerator door open! 🙂
@@AdventureswithRoger Cool. Mammoth Caves are really awesome for anyone who doesn't know. I recall going there years ago. I really want to go back sometime with friends or family.
Have been to Mammoth several times, it’s something everyone should do! When I last visited, they’d shut down the boat tour, as people were dropping gum wrappers in the water and upsetting the balance of nature. I’m not sure they’ll ever bring it back.
@@AdventureswithRoger 1:10 Do they grind wood and corn? I recall a friend buying products there.
I also recall a blacksmith, a person shaping iron, and a person shaping pottery. It was very pretty.
If you ever go back there are actually 5 more caves than you described, blacksmith cave is a cool cave and down in a massive sink hole. Directly behind pioneer village spring. Also hammer lower, whistling cave with a real neat climb down to it, Playground sink cave, is super sketchy and dangerous but neat to see.
Yeah, I only covered the published ones. The place is riddled with caves, gotta love southern Indiana. 🙂
Hey! I would love to know how to find these other caves! I’ve been spring mill countless times but didn’t realize there were others than what they have listed!!
Easiest way: join a grotto. Not only can they find them, they also have gate keys and maps!
@@KodeyWilliams hey kodey, I, along with 8 other guys from the IKC an others from around the country will be at springmill the 10th to the 16th, I would be more than happy to meet you if your local, and introduce you to the guys, and if you wanted after I meet you I can show you around some of them. Your more then welcome to come hang out and camp with us. We have different caves and permits for different days. We will be hitting up around 30 throughout the week if you want to join in.
Last time I went to Spring Mill I counted the steps to/from Donaldson cave. 210 stairs
It’s definitely a workout! The last time I came up to the parking lot, I told myself it was the last time! But, who knows
There was a time in my childhood when I knew every single one of those stairs. It's a hell of a scramble to get up the hill without using them (although I have cheated by using the superstructure of the stairs, in places). LOVE Spring Mill, a million childhood memories there.
It truly is quite a hike
There was a time when the entrance to Donaldson was dammed. You could take a boat ride to the waterfall and back...
I once saw a picture, with a deck going into Donaldson, and up to the right side, and another where the decking was broken and in the water. Park managers have went through a ton of ideas over the years!
When I was 35 years younger, my Mother took me to Donaldson, and watched as I climbed up the right side and into the much smaller opening. Apart from the climb up, it’s a much easier way into the big room. I used that entrance for many years as I brought neighbor kids to the park.
Oh, that's RIGHT! I had forgotten that. There are notches in the bedrock below the entrance that I think might have been there to anchor the dam. If I recall correctly: I haven't been there in 20 years.
Neat video
Thank-you, Edward!
The way the walls and walkway into donaldson Cave look, they hold characteristics of being hand built.
Water has smoothed a bunch of rough edges over time. It looks a little like entering an ancient temple though
@@AdventureswithRoger interesting
@@AdventureswithRoger so like an alter and congregation room type thing? The angle of the camera is a completely different perspective than actually being there, so I can see how it could have been like that.
The two walls as you walk in, are maybe 20 plus feet tall, and remind you of Egyptian temples. You can only go so far before you reach a waterfall and have to swim. They are currently building a way to easily walk into the right side of the cave. I have mixed feelings, one part of me is glad families can safely take a look inside a wild cave, the other part of me wishes they’d left it completely wild.
@@AdventureswithRoger bro if you ever want a tagalong I would be honored to go with you to these places. I am ex-military, and knowledgeable in many things. This stuff fascinates me to no end after my experience with the Toltec Mounds. And I live in Indiana
Rock pile still there was just there last weekend. Going in the middle part this weekend just a bit no permit... Shhhhh. I gotta see the water fall inside
Two guys were the subject of a rescue show where they got trapped somewhere near the waterfall. Do be careful!
@@AdventureswithRoger all was good! It was very cool 😎
Glad to hear you made it back! Quite a ditch to climb out of though! Thinking about filming Cave River Valley before it gets too cold.
Wow I'm from Indiana and me and my friends we used to drive over from scottsburg and Madison to Mitchell Indiana just to go in the caves in spring Mill Park never knew they were that dangerous the things we do when we're kids we were real young I remember we had just got our driver's license
I remember being a kid, my Mother taking me to Donaldson, and saying she’d wait for me to go take a look! Some Indiana caves are just shallow holes that go in ten or so feet, no drops, solid wall. And some are absolute death traps with unexpected pits, up to 100 feet deep, or strong water that can drown you in a hurry. I have a healthy respect for caves.
Theres a lottttt of history down there haha. Cave writings in bronson crack me up. I didnt grow up here. But i can definitley appreciate the small town memories that live down there. Whoevers leaving the used rubbers though can chill
I remember the 2nd time I visited Donaldson cave. We found this narrow tunnel with water running down the center, thought that was awesome and started straddling it as it got smaller and smaller and we descended into darkness. “We must really be back farther than anyone else,” said the neighborhood kid. Well we then started finding toothbrushes and other stuff until it terminated at a small hole on the wall. 😀
Fun fact about condoms: survival training classes suggest taking them on hiking trips as an emergency canteen. Not making this up. I’ve never seen them used as an emergency flotation device, but there’s always a first time for everything! 😁
Some of our best work
This video has received more hits than anything I’ve done for the last two years. Surprised me! I filmed a small cave today, and plan to do more this spring, especially at a fairly unknown area that is filled with caves. Stay tuned! 🙂
Several more than 5 caves on that property 😉
It’s definitely Karst country! You may know this: Cave River Valley is managed by Spring Mill now! I’ve been wanting to get down there and film. My cousin used to go with his stepson and they loved it. Just know it’s copperhead heaven in the summer, particularly around the abandoned buildings. Many of the caves are now gated I hear. And if you’re a folklore guy like me: many Bigfoot stories about Cave River Valley!
@@AdventureswithRoger CVR is loaded with caves. Loaded! I broke my heart when the nature conservancy bought the property. Thankfully S/M took purchase of it. I've been many of the caves there years back. Endless cave is now gated (River cave is not). Permits are granted during the summer. If you plan a trip in love to join up. We could have interesting conversations about folklore and caves!
@@AdventureswithRoger I do love reading Bigfoot stories also. Yellow wood forest has been having a lot of activity I see
I'm definitely taking the kids here, almost did a few months back. Have you visited Morgan Monroe state forest yet? I didn't see a video about it so far. That area is beautiful but those woods are truly, truly spooky
Spring Mill is hands-down my favorite state park! The path to the village is a wonderful walk, and they have a Christmas village once a year, with live music. If you visit next year, they should have the finishing touches complete on the new Donaldson Cave bridge, allowing an easy walk into the cave. However, the climb back up to the parking lot is pretty steep!
Have not done a video about Morgan Monroe State Forest. It’s much like Clark State Forest, in that you don’t really see the grandeur unless you do a long hike into the interior. Both are outright spooky, but for different reasons. Morgan Monroe is a hotbed for Bigfoot sightings and vocalizations, Clark was the setting for a serial killer, a mystery that has never been solved! 😧
That tunnel doesn't terminate at a wall was just in it last weekend.
Damian its a small tunnel where you have to straddle a small stream. Absolutely terminates at a wall with a little water coming from it
What happens?
6:27 featured on #rescue911floodedcave #rescue911107, the Donaldson Cave sign was the only sign shown in that segment.
Gregor Krause: Yep, saw that one. For a fact that water is freezing, even during the summer. Yet, people put on wet suits and go through it anyway
I've read that the lower twin cave is off limits, and you said something about a "water trap". What might that be, and why is it so dangerous?
I’d heard that the water shoots down a sump, that requires you to close your eyes, hold your breath, and hope for the best, as you’re shot through. You can easily bounce your head off rock, as you can’t see where you’re going, or drown outright, as you’re underwater and get disoriented.
@@AdventureswithRoger That makes sense. Thank you.
@@AdventureswithRoger Wow, the big sump in Mammoth is the one in upstream Logsdon River (Roppel Section) and I have assisted in a dive into that. In low flow conditions, I don't think the current in Logsdon is ever an issue: by contrast, I've stood at the entrance to Lower Twin Cave and marveled at the amount of water pushing through there. I can't imagine anyone freediving a sump under those conditions.
@@AlanCanon2222 It’s really cool cave country in Lawrence County, and cave openings are easily accessible, especially along the trails at Spring Mill State Park. I try to warn people about venturing in without training, as anyone can get their selves knee-deep in trouble, quickly!
A few weeks ago, I hiked out to southern Indiana’s only natural arch. Caves were all around that place, and very tempting to peek inside. But, good caving principles say “never go alone.” And in these parts, it’s not uncommon to have a pit that drops anywhere from 6 feet to over 100!
@@AdventureswithRoger I've read many issues of "American Caving Accidents", and those pit accidents in southern Indiana are the most heartbreaking to read, simply because I live nearest to them (Louisville). There's no pit in the Mammoth Cave country that's that treacherous (though there are some caves that have serious drops not far inside their entrances).
I attended Spring Mill Bible Camp across the road, and was baptized in Mitchell for that reason (same baptistry as Gus Grissom, as it turns out). Even before that, Spring Mill State Park was a favorite family destination, and I love it so. Along with Mammoth Cave National Park, which by later happenstance I know more about now, Spring Mill State Park is my caver Eden.
I have studied the geology of sub glacial southern Indiana. I got randomly obsessed by it in June because a friend of mine bought land in Crawford (I think) county. To me, learning about the formation of caves as I grew up was a warm-up to now learning the reason all those layers of rock are there, and how they came to be there, far earlier. At the same time, one lesson I learned around CRF people (Mammoth) was the far smaller timescale of how human beings interact with a karst area, both pre-contact Native Americans and modern people, such as the farmers of both Hart County, Kentucky, and Lawrence County, Indiana.
As an aside, I did also in those church camp years go back in Hamer Cave a distance which I would now estimate as 150'-200', but which at the time seemed far more epic. That cave was impressively active. I was 13 and being led in by a 16 year old who was trying to impress a girl. I don't do that kind of trip anymore. ;)
I've wanted to explore caves but was unsure of whether cave exploration was for me.
Try a show cave first, it’ll give you an idea if it’s something you like, and they’re totally safe. In southern Indiana we have Bluespring Cavern Park (seasonal), Marengo Cave Park, Indiana Caverns, Squire Boone Caverns and Wyandotte Caves (seasonal). If you really like a show cave, look up “grottos” for your state. They will teach you how to safely explore wild caves, and you can sign up for group tours.
When I was a youngster we didn't need a damn permit to explore these cave's...just a flashlight, some common sense and a hardy appetite for adventure. People today want to bubble wrap everything. Pathetic. ...plus we had to walk up hill barefoot in the snow just to get to them! 😉
I use to be more carefree when a bloody knee magically healed in two days. Ah, good times! 😀 I now go to caves and cliffs and look for mossy/glossy areas that will put the hurt on me!
@@AdventureswithRoger lol. I stumbled upon your channel today....just finished watching the Evansville dream car museum. Makes me wish I lived closer to the southern part of IN... up between Fort Wayne and Indy along I-69... i guess we do have a few small nature preserves and wetlands to explore but it's nothing as beautiful as the landscape south of Indy. Well, back to watching your videos.
I’ve been all over Indiana, but from South of Seymour on, the hills get taller and the nature settings get a lot more dramatic, particularly west of I-64. I’ve been filming sites along the Ohio River all summer, still have a few to go!
According to the Harrison County museum, there are over 600 caves in Harrison county alone. In Lawrence County: over 1200. One is even downtown!
Those regulations are in place to protect both the wildlife and the public. Some areas in those systems do sump making it impossible to exit if water rises. Unfortunately common sense is anything but common but permits are available and two trips are usually taken a year lead by professionals.
Cave permits, didn't know they existed. I've went where I wanted to go WHEN I wanted to go. To hell with your permits
In Spring Mills case, the passage from Bronson to Donaldson is a somewhat dangerous trip, requiring swimming or a floatation device. They want to make sure the group has good training and equipment to make the journey safely. Lots of amateur cavers have had to be rescued.
@@AdventureswithRoger I'm sure they have. If you use a little common sense, those caves don't pose a problem. I've explored every cave there. Haven't died yet and I'm a semi-fat 50 something y/o.
@@AdventureswithRoger isn't some danger a part of the fun of exploring? If you are "exploring" a cave and someone else sets it up as a tourist attraction, isn't that...a tourist attraction?
Thing about caves is seeing daylight and getting out of them alive. They're nice place to visit but i wouldn't want to visit. And I wouldn't want to live there.
Caves aren’t for everyone, and being a fairly good-sized guy, I’m not for crawling in tight spaces. I tell people to try a show cave, if they’re the least bit interested. The paths in show caves are paved concrete, have sturdy handrails, bridges, and the entire place is well lit with electric lamps. It’s like walking through an ancient shopping mall. In summer, the caves are still no warmer than 54 degrees, so the “air conditioning” is always on.
There is actually 6 if you count Whistling cave, probably more... Thought Technically Twin/Bronson/Donaldsons are one cave - those are mostly the names for the entrances.
I later found out about “the one behind the blacksmith shop”: 3 miles long I’m told. Gated though.
Fun fact: Upper twin Cave can be entered through another opening that’s not on the Spring Mill Property. You have to get a Spring Mill cave permit and pay the gate fee if you plan on exiting at upper twin, where they offer the boat ride.
If the roof to Twin caves and Bronson had not collapsed long ago, it would all be Donaldson or “Shawnee Cave”.