Members: ToXiC & Glass
Pictures by: ToXiC
I have to admit, this was my third time through Chutes. I had previously endeavored to video trip the whole thing with Myth. It succeeded but I had never gotten any pictures really. So when Glass was down in Minneapolis for a few days I decided to see if he wanted to explore it or not. He had said he had never been in Chutes before even though he knew the area like the back of his hand. Shocking.
So I biked over to a street above of Chutes Cave and waited for Glass to come by. He ended up running a little late. I had heard Dr. Magnus was gonna come out but he got sidetracked into rappelling with another explorer.
Glass finally arrived 20 minutes late, but better late than never. We walked down into the park and put on our Waders. I must have gotten taller because I kind of had to hop down the stairs to get to the mouth of the Tailrace we had to enter in order to get into Chutes. On the way down Glass and me were kind of just chatting about our favorite places to explore in the Twin Cities area. He was very surprised when I said that Chutes was one of my favorites. He had asked me why and I told him various reasons, him being more of a lover of Industrial Decay and Myself having more of a desire of Urban Abandonment, where some argue they are same they have quite a few differences, however thats a different story.
(Left: Waterfall)
(Right: Hellcrack)
We entered the tailrace with our waders on, the cold november water going right through my waders, but I enjoy the cold so it was quite a refreshing feel from the hot bike ride I had had coming down. Walking into the large tailrace that used to power mills on the East bank, I went first since it was cold out and my waders were higher than Glass's, I had earlier mentioned a couple deep spots where his waders might flood, which would hinder the trip. His waders didnt flood so we proceeded to a dry cross beam to change out of the waders and take some photos of our current surroundings.
The old brick archways, the rotting timbers, the random rusted pipe, and the dirt piles all added to the atmosphere of a corroded and decaying tailrace. We decided it was time for the long and treacherous crawl of the Hellcrack.
We entered the small hole people use as an entrance, we dont really have much choice in the matter. Nonetheless, we had to do it. Me and Glass were discussing who should go first, since he enjoys having people pose for his Exposure Shots I Opted to go in first. I left my backpack, waders, and jacket behind because I knew what I was getting into, and I even warned glass but he took everything with him. He later regretted it.
(Left: Flow Stone with Mineral Formations)
(Right: Flow Stone with Mineral Formations)
The hellcrack is not for the bulky type. It requires a wet, dirty, and painful crawl through flow stone and pointy ceiling limestone. It is only 150 feet but when your crawling and taking pictures it can take quite awhile. As we were crawling along Glass noted that he had never encountered flow stone like this in the Twin Cities and was quite impressed. I had told him earlier that he was in for a surprise.
The flow stone, the Stalactites, the Stalagmites, the Bacon Ridges, the Naturally Forming puddles, the constant small water flows, and mineral deposits made it an impressive sight for anyone crawling through this hell hole. The memory, looking back and the glorious wonders formed over the years makes it worth it. Glass, however even enjoying the scene, wasnt as in shape as he used to be and was finding it a little difficult to keep up with me in tighter sections. He managed fine though.
After about 40 minutes of crawling, taking pictures, and chatting about the formations we finally made it through that long 150 feet. Emerging to the larger natural section of the cave where the road had collapsed long ago.
(Left: Flow Stone with Mineral Formations)
(Right: A Flow Stone with a Puddle)
The cave was beautiful. It had a nice muddy floor, beautiful sandstone wall, old timber posts that once supported the ceiling, more flow stone, and so many more things that I can't even begin to describe. The natural atmosphere of dripping water, the bats flying over head, and ambient light reflecting off the various pools made quite a site.
We hung for around an hour taking photos, tea light photos, and long exposure shots with our high output LED's. It was getting late and I had a feeling we would both want to take more photos on the way back through the Hell Crack.
We eventually arrived out, took a few more photos of the Tailrace Canal and parted ways. Chutes is one of my favorite caves in the metro, its low key, somewhat man-made and somewhat natural, and it has the coolest entrance. Kind of like the Movie "The Decent" entrance. Ya.
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Dont forget to check out Glass's Write up of the trip.
Glass's Chutes Cave & Tunnel
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(Left & Right: Tea Light Photos)
(Left: Chutes Tunnel)
(Right: Chutes Tunnel Long Exposure w/ Glass Walking Down the Tunnel)
(Left: Old & Broken Support Posts)
(Right: Flowstone in Chutes Cave)
(Left: Partial Collapse Shown)
(Right: ToXiC Posed Dancing with a Post)
(Left: Flow Stone in the Hell Crack)
