Exploring Nutty Putty Cave: A Comprehensive Guide to the Map
Nutty Putty Cave, a popular tourist destination in Utah, offers a unique and fascinating experience for visitors. The cave features a massive, moldable clay that can be manipulated and shaped, making it a favorite among families and adventure-seekers. To help you navigate and make the most of your visit, we've put together this guide to the Nutty Putty Cave map.
Understanding the Cave Map
The Nutty Putty Cave map is a vital tool for exploring the cave's vast network of tunnels and passageways. The map is divided into several sections, each representing a different area of the cave.
Key Features of the Nutty Putty Cave Map
Tips for Navigating the Nutty Putty Cave Map
Additional Tips and Reminders
By following this guide to the Nutty Putty Cave map, you'll be well-prepared to explore this unique and fascinating natural wonder. Enjoy your adventure!
The Legend of Nutty Putty Cave
Deep within the heart of Utah's rugged landscape lies the infamous Nutty Putty Cave, a massive underground network of tunnels and caverns. The cave system has been fascinating explorers and adventurers for decades, but its complex passages and hidden chambers have also led to many getting lost.
One day, a group of brave spelunkers stumbled upon an ancient map that had been hidden away for years. The map, etched on a worn leather parchment, revealed the secrets of Nutty Putty Cave's vast underground world.
As they unfolded the map, they noticed that it was divided into several sections, each representing a different part of the cave system. The map showed:
The map also highlighted several Danger Zones, including areas prone to rockfalls, hidden pitfalls, and treacherous terrain.
Armed with the map, the spelunkers set out to explore the cave system, carefully navigating its twists and turns. As they made their way deeper into the earth, they discovered hidden wonders, including glittering crystals, ancient fossils, and even an underground waterfall.
But they also encountered unexpected challenges, such as navigating through the Maze of Reflections and avoiding the treacherous terrain of the Danger Zones.
In the end, the spelunkers emerged from the cave system, exhausted but exhilarated by their adventure. They realized that the map had been more than just a guide – it had been a key to unlocking the secrets of Nutty Putty Cave.
Here's a simple map to help you visualize the cave system:
+---------------------------------------+
| Entrance |
| Chamber --------------------------- |
+---------------------------------------+
|
|
v
+---------------------------------------+
| Squeeze Tunnel |
| ( narrow passage ) ------------------ |
+---------------------------------------+
|
|
v
+---------------------------------------+
| Great Hall |
| ( vast cavernous space ) ------------ |
+---------------------------------------+
|
|
v
+---------------------------------------+
| Maze of Reflections |
| ( mirrored tunnels ) ---------------- |
+---------------------------------------+
|
|
v
+---------------------------------------+
| Underground Lake |
| ( massive body of water ) ---------- |
+---------------------------------------+
Nutty Putty Cave , located in Utah County, Utah, was a popular hydrothermal cave system known for its extremely narrow, maze-like passages . Following the tragic death of explorer John Edward Jones in 2009, the cave was permanently sealed with concrete, turning it into a natural memorial . Cave Map & Layout Overview
The cave consists of approximately 1,355 to 1,400 feet of interconnected chutes and tunnels, reaching a maximum depth of 145 feet from the surface . The Nutty Putty Cave Rescue & the Death of John Jones
Nutty Putty Cave , located west of Utah Lake in Utah County, was once a premier destination for local spelunkers before its permanent closure in 2009. The cave's unique "hypogenic" structure and viscous, sound-active clay walls—resembling "Nutty Putty"—made it both a geologic marvel and a high-risk maze. 🗺️ Mapping & Cave Dimensions
The cave was surveyed extensively in 2003, providing a detailed blueprint that is still used today for educational and virtual purposes. Total Mapped Length: Approximately 1,355 feet (413 meters). Depth: Roughly 145 feet (44 meters).
Entrance: A funnel-shaped hole leading to a 15-foot vertical drop.
Temperature: A constant 55°F (12.7°C) year-round due to its hydrothermal origins. 🧗 Key Landmarks
The cave is split into two primary sections, each known for specific challenges:
The Big Slide: A 45° sloping chamber where high traffic eventually wore the rock smooth, making it slippery and dangerous.
The Maze: A complex web of passages where a map was essential to avoid looping back to the start.
The Birth Canal: A notoriously tight, horizontal squeeze that required cavers to suck in their stomachs and pull through.
The Aorta Crawl: A grueling, body-tight crawl spanning 115 feet. 🛑 The Permanent Seal
The cave was permanently sealed in 2009 following the death of John Edward Jones. nutty putty cave map
The Incident: Jones became trapped upside-down in an unmapped fissure known as Ed’s Push, which he had mistakenly entered believing it was the Birth Canal.
Outcome: Despite a massive 27-hour rescue effort, Jones could not be extracted. Authorities sealed the entrance with concrete to serve as a final resting place and to prevent further tragedies. 🥽 Modern Exploration: Virtual Reality
While the physical cave is inaccessible, it has been meticulously recreated for digital exploration.
Nutty Putty Cave map serves as a vital historical record and a digital guide for a site that has been physically inaccessible since 2009. Most modern references to the map originate from the work of caver and rescuer Brandon Kowallis
, who drafted the comprehensive 2D survey of the cave in 2003–2004. Key Features of the Map Plan View:
The primary map is a 2D "plan view," showing the cave from above. It provides a detailed layout of the cave's narrow passages, including major landmarks like the Birth Canal The Big Slide Vertical Complexity:
While the 2D map is standard, the cave is known for its extreme vertical drops and tight squeezes. Newer 3D models have been developed to better illustrate these vertical transitions. Historical Accuracy:
The map was crucial during the 2009 rescue attempt of John Jones, helping rescuers pinpoint his location in an unmapped fissure near , rather than the Birth Canal as commonly misreported. Accessing the Map Today
Since the cave is permanently sealed, the map is primarily used for educational and virtual exploration purposes: Digital Downloads:
High-resolution versions of the official 2004 survey map can be purchased for a fee on Brandon Kowallis's website Virtual Reality:
The map has been meticulously recreated in 3D for the VR game Cave Crave
, allowing users to explore a digital version of the cave that is approximately 80% accurate to the real site. Educational Guides:
Video tutorials are available that explain how to read the map's symbols and understand the orientation of the cave's many levels. Geographic Context The physical entrance (now sealed) is located on top of Blowhole Hill in Utah County, Utah. Coordinates: N40° 05' 51", W112° 02' 13". USGS Reference: The cave appears on the USGS 7.5' "Allens Ranch" map. detailed breakdown of the specific passages leading to the 2009 incident site?
Nutty Putty Cave , located west of Utah Lake, was a popular hydrothermal cave known for its tight, slippery, and clay-lined passages
. Formed by superheated water forced upward through limestone, it featured complex 3D structures including domes and extremely narrow squeezes. The cave was permanently sealed in 2009 following the tragic death of John Edward Jones
, who became stuck in an unmapped, vertical fissure. Today, the cave remains a sealed tomb and a memorial to Jones. The Cave Layout and Features
The cave spanned approximately 1,355 feet (413 meters) in length with a total depth of about 145 feet (44 meters). Key areas identified on historical maps include: The Entrance
: A 6-foot wide opening on Blowhole Hill with an initial 15-foot drop. The Big Slide
: A steep, slippery descent that cavers could take shortly after entering.
: A complex network of passages to the left of the main drop. Famous Squeezes : Notable tight passages included the Helmet Eater Scout Eater , and the notorious Birth Canal Hydrothermal Origins
: Unlike most limestone caves formed by surface water, Nutty Putty was a "hypogenic" cave created from the bottom up, resulting in its unique maze-like and vertical characteristics. The John Jones Incident Map
The most famous "maps" or diagrams of the cave today focus on the location of the 2009 accident.
Nutty Putty Cave is permanently sealed and closed to the public
It serves as the final resting place for John Edward Jones, who became fatally trapped in a narrow, unmapped passage in 2009. This guide is for historical and educational purposes regarding the cave's layout and the 2004 map updates. Overview of the Nutty Putty Cave
The cave's mapping history is critical to understanding its complexity and the risks it once posed to explorers: The 2004 Update
: A revised map was released in 2004 to help cavers navigate more safely. Intentional Exclusions
: Interestingly, the section where John Jones eventually lost his life was intentionally excluded
from the updated 2004 maps. This was done to discourage cavers from entering the most dangerous, tightest fissures. Hydrothermal Origins Exploring Nutty Putty Cave: A Comprehensive Guide to
: As a hydrothermal cave, its passages are uniquely smooth and "nutty" (slippery), caused by warm water dissolving the rock from the bottom up. Key Locations on the Map
Before its closure, several notorious sections were marked on the Nutty Putty Cave Map The Big Slide : A steep, slippery descent near the entrance. The Birth Canal
: One of the most famous tight squeezes, requiring cavers to exhale to fit through. The Corkscrew
: A winding, vertical passage that challenged even experienced explorers. Bob’s Push : A section of the cave featuring extremely narrow crawls. The Unmapped Fissure
: The site of the 2009 tragedy, located beyond the "Birth Canal," where Jones took a wrong turn into an 18-inch wide, 10-inch tall vertical crevice. Brandon Kowallis Historical Access Information : The cave is located on Blowhole Hill west of Utah Lake in Utah County.
: Following the failed 27-hour rescue attempt in 2009, the entrance was sealed with concrete Virtual Exploration : Because physical entry is impossible, many now use VR simulations or 3D models to understand the cave's structure. Climb Utah Critical Safety Legacy
The maps and historical records of Nutty Putty Cave now serve as a cautionary guide for the caving community: Never Cave Alone : Always have a partner who can call for help. Know Your Limits
: Do not enter passages that appear smaller than your own body's chest size. Map Reliance
: Always use the most current map and acknowledge that "off-map" exploring is extremely high-risk. specific diagrams
illustrating the "Birth Canal" or the section where the 2009 rescue occurred? The Nutty Putty Cave Rescue & the Death of John Jones 23-Feb-2024 —
Exploring the Nutty Putty Cave Map: A Spelunker's Guide
Located in the heart of Utah, the Nutty Putty Cave is a popular destination for spelunkers and adventure-seekers. This extensive cave system offers a unique and thrilling experience, with its vast network of tunnels, passageways, and underground wonders. To help you navigate this subterranean world, we've put together a comprehensive guide to the Nutty Putty Cave map.
Overview of the Cave System
The Nutty Putty Cave is a massive limestone cave system that spans over 1,500 acres. The cave features a complex network of tunnels, shafts, and passageways, with over 6 miles of mapped routes. The cave's unique geology is characterized by its volcanic-ash-filled passages, stunning formations, and narrow crevices.
Key Features of the Nutty Putty Cave Map
Navigating the Nutty Putty Cave Map
To get the most out of your visit to the Nutty Putty Cave, it's essential to understand how to navigate the map. Here are some tips:
Tips and Safety Reminders
Conclusion
The Nutty Putty Cave map is an essential tool for anyone looking to explore this incredible cave system. With its vast network of passageways, stunning formations, and unique geological features, the Nutty Putty Cave offers an unforgettable adventure. By understanding the map and following safety guidelines, you can enjoy a safe and exhilarating experience in this natural wonder. Happy spelunking!
The Nutty Putty Cave map is a detailed representation of approximately 1,355 to 1,400 feet of complex, hydrothermal tunnels located west of Utah Lake. Created primarily by cartographer Brandon Kowallis in 2003, the map captures a maze of tight squeezes and vertical drops that characterized this popular spelunking destination before its permanent closure in 2009. Key Layout and Passages
The cave's structure is often described as a capital "L" on its side, split into two primary routes after a 15-foot initial drop from the entrance:
The Maze (Left Route): A series of overlapping passages and unusual forms sculpted by rising superheated water. It is recommended to use a map here to avoid looping back to the start.
The Big Slide (Right Route): A long, 45-degree sloping chamber that leads deeper into the cave.
The Birth Canal: One of the most famous and tightest sections, known for its extreme narrowness before widening into larger rooms.
The Aortal Crawl: A grueling, body-tight crawl spanning 115 feet, located past the Big Slide.
Ed's Push: A remote area where the tragic 2009 incident occurred. Reading the Map
The official survey map utilizes specific symbols to convey the cave's challenging topography: Main Cave Area : This section includes the
Plan View: The map provides an overhead "top-down" look at the system.
Cross-Sections: Small diagrams illustrate the specific shape and height of passages at various points.
"TT" Markings: These denote passages that are "too tight" for further exploration.
Underlined Passages: Indicate where one tunnel passes directly beneath another. The John Jones Accident Location
The map gained global attention following the death of John Edward Jones in 2009. While he intended to find the Birth Canal, Jones mistakenly entered an unmapped, 70-degree downward chute in the Ed's Push area. He became wedged upside down in a crevice measuring only about 10 inches wide and 18 inches deep. Because the area was too narrow for recovery equipment and human intervention, the cave was permanently sealed with Jones' remains still inside, serving as a natural memorial. The Nutty Putty Cave Rescue & the Death of John Jones
The tragedy of 2009 revolves around a specific spot on the map: The Big Slide (also called "The Chute"). On the map, The Big Slide is a yellowish-tan line branching off the main route, leading to a room called "Bob's Way."
However, the map also notes a smaller, unnamed passage near the top of The Big Slide. This passage leads to "Ed's Push"—a vertical chimney that goes down to an area called "The Birth Canal."
Here is where the map became a weapon of ironic tragedy. In 2009, John Edward Jones (a 26-year-old medical student and experienced hiker, though not a technical caver) was exploring with his brother Josh. They were using a laminated copy of the map.
The map legend indicated that "The Big Slide" was a large, open (though steep) decline that eventually led to a large room. Jones believed he was in "The Big Slide." In reality, due to a navigational error in the dark, he had entered the unnamed vertical chimney leading to "Ed's Push."
Because the map does not clearly label this chimney as a distinct, separate, and vertical passage (it looks like a slight bulge on the line), Jones mistook a 10-inch-wide vertical tube for a 45-degree sloping slide. He entered head-first.
For the uninitiated, the phrase "Nutty Putty Cave" might evoke images of a quirky theme park attraction or a brand of children’s modeling clay. For cavers (spelunkers) and internet true-crime enthusiasts, however, the name carries a weight of somber finality. Located west of Utah Lake in Utah County, Nutty Putty Cave was once a beloved hydrothermal maze of narrow passages and tight squeezes. Today, it is a sealed tomb.
The single most important document for understanding this cavern’s allure—and its ultimate danger—is the Nutty Putty Cave map. But this is not merely a topographical drawing. It is a historical record of a geologic wonder, a navigational challenge, and ultimately, a fatal trap.
In this article, we will dissect the history of the map, explain its key features (including the infamous "Birth Canal" and "The Maze"), analyze how the map contributed to the 2009 tragedy of John Edward Jones, and discuss why the cave was permanently sealed with concrete.
While the Nutty Putty Cave map accurately depicts the distances and directions, a 2D piece of paper cannot convey the physiological demands of the cave.
The critical detail missing from most public versions of the map is the orientation of the passages. Nutty Putty is primarily a fracture cave. The passages are mostly narrow, horizontal slots. To navigate, you must turn your body sideways, or flatten yourself into a "caterpillar crawl" (belly-down, pushing with toes).
The map shows the "Main Branch" as a relatively straight line. In reality, that line represents a passage that in some places is only 10 inches high and 30 inches wide.
On November 24, 2009, John Jones squeezed into the narrow fissure. He was 400 feet from the entrance. Because he thought the passage widened out, he kept moving forward until he reached a tight "S-curve" in the rock. Unable to turn around, he attempted to go head-first through the curve.
He became wedged upside down at a 70-degree angle. His feet were above his head.
The rescue operation is now a legendary case study in extreme rescue failure. Over 100 rescuers tried for 27 hours to extract him. They drilled anchors, set up rope systems, and even tried a "slide-board" technique.
At one point, the rescue team did free his arms and upper body. But when they pulled, his legs jammed tighter. The map showed that the passage narrowed to a "V" shape. The clay acted like a Chinese finger trap: pulling only made it worse.
Because he was upside down, blood pooled in his lungs and heart (orthostatic intolerance). His heart stopped due to cardiac arrest. The official cause of death was listed as asphyxiation/hypoxia due to chest compression.
Once he was declared dead, the rescuers faced a horrific ethical choice: recovering his body would require dismemberment, or blasting the rock. The Jones family decided the body should remain.
The Nutty Putty Cave map is now a digital ghost. It serves three lasting purposes:
John Jones rests in the clay. His body is exactly where the map labels "Ed's Push," though today, that label is academic. The concrete that seals the cave does not just block the entrance; it buries the map's legend.
The next time you look at the Nutty Putty Cave map, don't see a puzzle to solve. See a warning that some doors, once opened, cannot be closed—and some arrows on a map are actually pointing to a grave.
If you are interested in safe caving, never explore alone, always tell someone your route, and stick to mapped, open systems like Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Nutty Putty is closed forever.
Here’s a piece of content focused on the Nutty Putty Cave map — what it looked like, why it mattered, and how it factored into the cave’s tragic history.
Title: Mapping the Unforgiving: The Story Behind the Nutty Putty Cave Map
When you first glance at the Nutty Putty Cave map, it looks like an abstract doodle — a tangle of tight passages, sharp turns, and small, named chambers. But for cavers in Utah during the early 2000s, that map represented both an irresistible challenge and a silent warning.
Located west of Utah Lake, Nutty Putty was a hydrothermal cave, meaning its passages were carved not by surface water but by hot, acidic groundwater rising from below. That unique origin gave it a distinctive, smooth, and sometimes constricting layout — a maze of narrow, winding tubes that didn’t follow the predictable patterns of river caves.
