Following the 2009 accident, authorities permanently sealed Nutty Putty Cave. The map is now a historical artifact — studied not for navigation, but for lessons in humility and risk. Modern cavers use it to discuss:
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.
The official map clearly shows The Crack as a blind passage—it goes nowhere. However, Jones and his brother mistakenly believed it connected to a larger area called The Big Slide due to an old, informal hand-drawn map. This error led him to enter a passage that was less than 10 inches high, with a ceiling that sloped downward, trapping him in an inverted position.
The Nutty Putty Cave map is a reminder that in caving, a few meters and a wrong turn can mean the difference between adventure and tragedy. If you’re a caver, study maps carefully. If you’re an armchair explorer, respect that some places are best left sealed—and remembered.
Do not attempt to locate or enter Nutty Putty Cave. It is closed by landowner and law enforcement order.
Sources: Utah Geological Survey, Timpanogos Grotto NSS, official rescue reports.
You can still find the Nutty Putty Cave map in old caving guidebooks, online archives (like the Wayback Machine’s cache of Utah caving sites), and in accident analysis reports from the NSS. It’s often shared alongside a diagram of the rescue attempt — a somber pairing of cartography and consequence.
Would you like a simplified or annotated version of the map description — or a separate piece on the rescue timeline?
The Nutty Putty Cave map represents a complex, hydrothermal labyrinth located west of Utah Lake in Utah County. Once a premier destination for local hikers and Boy Scout troops, the cave is now permanently sealed following the tragic death of John Edward Jones in 2009. Today, the map serves as a historical record of the cave's approximately 1,355 to 1,400 feet of chutes and tunnels. Historical Survey and Cartography
The cave was first explored in 1960 by Dale Green, who named it for the unique, putty-like clay found in its passages. Modern maps are largely based on a detailed survey conducted in December 2003.
Survey Team: The primary map was created by Brandon Kowallis, with survey data collected by Jon Jasper, Spencer Christian, and Chuck Acklin.
Dimensions: The surveyed system extends roughly 1,355 feet (413 meters) in length and reaches a depth of 145 feet (44 meters) from the surface.
Geology: As a hydrothermal (hypogenic) cave, it was formed by superheated water rising through limestone, creating a maze of domes and three-dimensional overlapping passages. Key Areas and Features on the Map
The standard Nutty Putty Cave map is typically presented in a "plan view" (looking down from above) and includes several notorious named sections:
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!
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!
Nutty Putty Cave Map and Guide
Located in the heart of Utah, Nutty Putty Cave is a popular tourist destination known for its unique geological features and fascinating history. The cave, which was discovered in 1962, is a massive underground limestone cave system that stretches for miles. Here is a helpful map and guide to help you navigate this natural wonder:
Cave Map:
The cave map is divided into several sections, including:
Key Features:
Guided Tours:
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, visitors are required to take a guided tour of the cave. These tours are led by experienced guides who will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the cave's history, geology, and features.
Tips and Reminders:
History:
Nutty Putty Cave was discovered in 1962 by a group of hikers. The cave was originally explored by a team of cavers, who mapped out much of the cave system. In the 1970s, the cave was opened to the public for guided tours.
Geology:
Nutty Putty Cave is a limestone cave, which was formed over millions of years through the dissolution of limestone rock by acidic water. The cave features a range of geological formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones.
By following this map and guide, you'll be able to navigate Nutty Putty Cave with ease and enjoy a memorable and educational experience.
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. nutty putty cave map
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.
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.
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.
On December 3, 2009, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the private landowner, the Jones family (no relation to the victim), made the unprecedented decision to permanently seal the cave.
Crews drilled holes and pumped concrete into the entrance. Then, they backfilled the entrance pit with dirt and rocks. A small memorial plaque was placed at the site, but the cave itself is now inaccessible.
Why seal it? Because the map still existed.
Officials realized that even with the entrance closed, cavers would eventually dig it open or find a secondary entrance. The only way to prevent another death was to destroy the cave's geometry. By filling the entrance with concrete, they rendered the map useless. No matter how detailed your Nutty Putty Cave map is, you cannot enter a solid block of 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. Would you like a simplified or annotated version