Grand Gulf, often referred to as Missouri's Little Grand Canyon, or Little Grand Canyon of the Ozarks, is a geological wonder. A spectacular sight, the gulf was created by nature some 10,000 years ago.
Grand Gulf, often referred to as Missouri's "Little Grand Canyon," or "Little Grand Canyon of the Ozarks," is a geological wonder. The gulf, which is a pretty big canyon, is a spectacular sight, and is a true chasm, meaning that it is deeper than it is wide.
The gulf was created by nature some 10,000 years ago when a roof of a cave system collapsed. The geology of this area is limestone and dolomite bedrock, very soluble rock in the midly acidic groundwater that percolates down from the surface. The water seeps into the nooks and crannies in the bedrock, over time enlarging them into caves. The steep walls of the chasm are covered with greenery, and from the upstream end down, the canyon gets deeper and deeper.
The result of of that collapse is a vertical-walled canyon almost a mile long. A surface creek that drains about 25 square miles, empties into the chasm. Then all of this water passes down the length of the chasm, under a 250-foot natural bridge and back into the canyon. This bridge is the uncollapsed remains of the original cave, and is 75 feet high at the upstream end, dropping to about ten feet on the dowstream side, and is one of the largest natural bridges in Missouri.. The floor of the chasm is strewn with tumbled dolomite blocks that were once part of the collapsed cave roof .
Finally, at the lower end of the chasm, the water enters the mouth of the remaining underground cave system, travelling nine miles, reemerging again at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas where it contributes to the nine million gallons of water per hour, that flow from the spring.
At the downstream end of the chasm is the mouth portion of the cave that has not collapsed, but it is blocked by mud and debris that still allows water to percolate through.
However the water makes it impossible for humans to enter. In the early 90's they sent in a robot vehicle, equipped with a digging tool and remote camera, and it penetrated quite a distance. But the camera showed a massive blockage that makes it impossible to go deeper in the cave.
This wasn't always the case. Early explorer Luella Agnes Owens, in her book Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, published in 1898, wrote about exploring the Grand Gulf. Using a boat to navigate the underground system, Owens wrote about "numerous, small, eyeless fish, pure white and perfectly fearless; the first I've ever seen, and little beauties."
They say acces to the deeper portions of the cave was possible until the 1920's. But then a severe storm washed many downed trees and other debris into the gulf, filling the cave. Today, heavy rains fill the gulf to depths of over a 100 feet, and it takes the water to several weeks to drain out.
Grand Gulf was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971, and it became a Missouri state park in 1984. This 322- acre park has numerous hiking trails and a recently installed boardwalk that descends down into the canyon. And descending into the canyon is a breeze, but climbing back up can be a bit more laborious! There are also numerous picnic sites on the rim of the canyon, and all in all, it is a breathtaking sight and a challenge to hikers. But if you love nature and the outdoors, a worthwhile challenge to be sure!
