The Discovery and Saga of King Solomon's Cave, Nevada

I wiggle myself into a hole, just big enough for a single body. I immediately find a room opening into a triangular passage. The years of work and research came to an exhilarating discovery — the reality that discovering new caves is still very much at the forefront of modern times. Helmet on, eyes wide open, walking down a passage headed into the earth, I continue into what has become one of the most unique cave discoveries in the United States and potentially the world.

I looked right and noticed an amber-like blob — crystals. Octagonal in nature, six inches to over a couple feet in length, translucent — large selenite crystals! Blood starts pumping. A wooden torch was lodged in the wall above. I am not the first visitor. A crystal figurine bigger than me — possibly twice my height — one solid selenite crystal with a rounded feature like a throne. Ancient Puebloans sat here.

The next room: hollowed-out tube-like formations on platforms — the Organ Room. Scabbards — octagonal hollow crystal castings up to 4+ feet — the selenite crystals they once held must have been massive. The crystal highway came next: a passage 40-50ft long × 15ft tall of solid crystal. We walked inside a crystal. Then the Tanzanite Terrace — a dry paleo pool with black oxide crystals, calcite rafts, and crystal chandeliers up to 3 feet long.

The survey team included David Harris, Laura, Jason and Tamara Ballensky, and Randy Paylor. The cave was surveyed and documented before protection efforts began. Over 10 people knew of the cave — trust became a critical concern. We prepared a BLM presentation for cave gating and management when I was contacted by a criminal investigator. An informant within our group had breached confidentiality. The saga of King Solomon's Cave had begun.