 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
|
||||||||||||||
 |
|
|||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
|
|||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crystal Ball Cave
Millard County, Utah
On Gandy Mountain in 1956, a curious rancher crawled through a hole in the side of the mountain and discovered what was later named Crystal Ball Cave. This large cavern is filled with several "rooms" of hidden treasures. Calcite crystal forms the ceiling of the cave, and spectacular stalactite, stalagmites and columns adorn the cave throughout.
Jerald C. Bates is the owner of Warm Creek Ranch. He is also the caretaker of Crystal Ball Cave. He charges a $5 fee for tours through the cave--well worth it. Not only is Jerald about the nicest, kindest cowboy we've ever had the pleasure to meet, he also knows everything there is to know about this remarkable cavern in Gandy Mountain. Jerald gave us a wonderful tour of the cave and rattled off technical terminology we wish we could remember... In the process he also entertained my boy, Will, and my nephew, Christopher. The tour was fantastic in every way and I recommend it to everyone.
Jerald was as interesting to me as the cave, itself. He is a mild-mannered, genuinely good-natured man of Utah's west desert. His ranch is adorned by spectacularly tall poplar trees, rising from the desert floor like a beacon that is visible for miles. Historical interpretation at work here... Jerald's great grandfather founded the ranch and planted the trees. He also discovered the Warm Springs and was the first to utilize their water for farming. He shared the water with other nearby farmers. In an altercation over water rights, he was shot. He managed to make it back to his trees before he died.
Jerald carries on with the ranch, keeping a patch of land in the Snake Valley a lush shade of green, and occasionally taking a curious traveler through the treasures of Crystal Ball Cave.
Jerald Bates
The Poplar trees
on the Bates' ranch are over 100 years old. These are some of the oldest
living poplars in the West...preserved by the rich waters of Warm Creek.
A colony of
bats on the ceiling of Crystal Ball Cave.
My son, Will, being
loved by Jerald's dogs at the ranch.
Jerald's driveway.
Jerald C. Bates
© desertislands.org | All Rights Reserved.