photos by Stephen Eginoire

Theres no shortage of pristine areas in Colorado. Our mountain ranges, rivers and canyons rank high among the very best of wilderness destinations. Perhaps the most spectacular, untouched, mind-bending wilderness of all, however, lies under our very feet. It is an unspoiled wilderness saturated in lore, secret passwords and gate-keepers. Welcome to the underground world, literally and figuratively, of Colorado caves.

Pete Tschannen, keeper of privileged information, leads the way to a locked entrance gate. Cave pearls growing in a small pool. These aragonite crystals have formed into a prismatic 7-foot tall bush. Pete Tschannen, of Durango, illuminates a beautiful formation. Aragonite, left, and gypsum, right, are some of the more common minerals found in caves. Mariah Eldrid, of Durango, sneaks past an ancient pillar. Caves are in a perpetual state of growth. The room seen here is literally alive with marmalade flowstone and stalactites.