TIMPANOGOS CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT

national monument containing a limestone cave in American Fork Canyon, north-central Utah, U.S. The monument is on the northwestern slope of Mount Timpanogos (12,008 feet ), the highest peak of the Wasatch Range, north of Provo. Established in 1922, the monument occupies an area of 250 acres (101 hectares). The cave, which is lighted electrically, has three connected chambers noted for their pink and white, crystal-filigreed walls and their tinted stalagmite, stalactite, and helictite formations. One of the stalactites (the Great Heart of Timpanogos) is shaped like a human heart. Naturally excavated millions of years ago by an underground stream, it is reached by a steep foot trail that winds up the side of the mountain. The name Timpanogos is believed to be a Paiute Indian word meaning reclining woman. The average temperature within the cave is 42 F (5.6 C).