Hindman Cave Project
Project Chairman: Mike Wolf (mwolf@tcis.net)
Cave Background
A vast muddy maze formed within the Vanport Limestone underlying
Armstrong County, Pennsylvania’s West Franklin Township,
Hindman Cave is only partially explored. A current survey
depicts only about a mile of passageways, just a fragment
of what awaits future explorers. The cave is truly impressive.
Hindman is one of the most unique and significant caves in
Pennsylvania. Whenever serious surveying resumes, we fully
expect it to move rapidly up the list of the state’s
longest caves, possibly eclipsing Harlansburg Cave.
Cave conservation through landowner realations...
Hindman Cave is not owned by cavers or by a conservancy,
but it serves as an excellent example of how cavers can work
with friendly and supportive cave owners to keep a cave open
for continued exploration and studies.
Prior to September 8th 2001 Hindman Cave was in need of a
new safe and modern entrance structure to replace the functional
but semi-permanent corrugated metal pipes. Additionally, the
very cooperative owner has requested a lockable gate on the
entrance because it’s in his back yard and close to his
grandchildren’s residence.
Below: Old entrance structure.
New Entrance Construction
The new entrance has been installed making
the cave safe to enter. You can read an excellent article
on the entrance construction in Volume 15, Issue 1, Fall
2001 edition of the Loyalhanna Troglodyte. This issue
is availible in the Grotto Library.
Some photographs of Hindman Cave and the entrance
construction can be found in the "Photos"
section of this website.
Contributions
It’s not too late be become a Hindman Cave keyholder!
Checks can be made payable to:
Loyalhanna Grotto
Hindman Cave
P.O. Box 1204
Indiana, PA 15701
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