Hidden Agenda
 Exact "addresses" for caves can be tricky to locate unless they are a tourist attraction and want to be found. Oftentimes they are situated far back from roads, set into sides of mountains and cliffs or have obscured entrances. Others have vertical shafts dropping as much as 1000 feet into the ground. The TAG area — Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia — is well-known for an abundance of vertical caves. To access most caves, it requires travel by foot, motorcycles or ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles).
For example, when approaching Antelope Canyon, there is no obvious clue as to its location. The trail seems to end at the base of a red sandstone plateau about 60 feet high, but the sight of an Indian
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Picture this fern grotto in its full setting. Glancing through trees, plants and vegetation, this entrance might not be so visible if it weren't for the handrail.
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jewelry stall soon indicates its position. The canyon is a narrow curved slit in the cliffs only a few yards wide. Once inside the entrance, the temperature drops 20 degrees as you enter one of the most beautiful of all natural formations. The sunlight filters down the curved sandstone walls forming magical, constantly changing patterns and shadows. You might have guessed, there is much more to Antelope Canyon than the picture indicates.
As with numerous government-owned caves, the entrance may be some distance from the actual cave to further disguise its location. Why, you might be asking.
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The Ultimate Bore
Another reason cave settings are secret has to do with national security and black ops — clandestine government activities. One of these projects involves drilling numerous, very wide tunnels that can provide enormous living areas. These are reserved for government officials, selected scientists, doctors and otherwise designated indispensable people should a major catastrophe strike. These areas have long been stocked with every conceivable necessity for sustaining life and a functioning government. Remember the 1998 movie Deep Impact? The only surprise is that they openly addressed these survival sites showing they can accommodate only a chosen few.
Other tunnel projects are relatively small like the 25 foot diameter drill used to excavate the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain.
In 2003, Germany drilled its massive Elbe Tunnel in Hamburg with this 46.5 foot diameter TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) named Trude (pictured right). It took Trude 29 months to drill their 8,400 foot underground tunnel.
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Reports from people around the U.S. recount tales of odd vibrations felt in the flooring of their homes. Perhaps this is due to the tunneling of the black ops machines rumored to be capable of excavating 100 foot diameter channels.
Reasons for these tunnels are varied including shelter from natural and man made disasters, underground military bases, transportation, storage, nuclear waste disposal and alternate command sites.
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Location, Location, Location
Pinpointing caves in your area will likely require some digging. Check the Caves map for locations in your county. If none are present, check surrounding areas for sites. Then you may want to visit your local library or bookstore. Each is likely to have geological information for your particular locale. Another place to check is your state's Geological Survey. Topographic and geologic maps may give you the needed specifics. Also, talk with old-timers and long-time residents, local historians, museum curators, hikers and trivia buffs in your area. They can provide a wealth of information and are often very willing to share their knowledge.
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