Nutty Putty Cave Map -
Nutty Putty Cave was discovered in 1960 by a group of geologists from Brigham Young University (BYU). Unlike the massive vertical pits or crystal cathedrals found in other caving systems, Nutty Putty was discovered to be a hypogenic cave—formed not by surface water erosion, but by hot, acidic hydrothermal fluids rising from deep within the earth.
Because of its unique "slickenside" clay (smooth, polished clay that looks and feels like chocolate frosting, hence the name "Nutty Putty"), the cave required extensive surveying. Over the next 40 years, the Timpanogos Grotto of the National Speleological Society (NSS) took on the Herculean task of mapping the complex.
The resulting Nutty Putty Cave Map is a masterpiece of by-hand surveying. Unlike a standard tourist map, a caving map uses a "plan view" (a top-down layout) and multiple "profile views" (side-cut diagrams) to show vertical stacking of passages.
Goal: Provide an interactive, educational map feature that visualizes Nutty Putty Cave's layout, history, hazards, and memorial information for safety education and remembrance.
Key components
Suggested minimal MVP
If you want, I can draft UI wireframes, a data schema for map layers/POIs, or a short user flow for the MVP—tell me which.
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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. nutty putty cave map
: 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.
The map of Nutty Putty Cave serves as both a historical record of a popular caving destination and a somber memorial to the tragic events of 2009. Originally drafted in 2003 by cartographer Brandon Kowallis, the map covers 1,355 feet of the cave's surveyed length, reaching a depth of approximately 145 feet. Understanding the Layout
The standard map is a plan view, showing the cave as if seen from above. Because the cave is "hypogenic"—featuring complex, three-dimensional passages that loop and overlap—the map uses specific markings to guide the viewer:
Dotted Lines & Gray Areas: Indicate where passages overlap on different vertical levels.
Cross-Sections: Small diagrams showing the physical shape of a passage at a specific point.
"tt" Markings: These denote passages that were too tight for surveyors to explore further.
The Legend: Explains symbols for various formations and survey stations used to measure the cave. Critical Locations on the Map
The map highlights several notorious tight squeezes that gave the cave its reputation:
The Big Slide: A steep descent near the entrance leading to the "Maze."
The Birth Canal: A famous, very tight horizontal squeeze that many cavers used as a rite of passage.
Ed's Push: The area where John Edward Jones tragically became trapped in 2009. Contrary to some early reports, he was not in the Birth Canal but in an unmapped, vertical fissure near Ed's Push. Accessing the Map Today Nutty Putty Cave was discovered in 1960 by
Since the cave was permanently sealed with concrete following the rescue attempt, the physical location is no longer accessible. However, historical and educational resources remain available:
High-Resolution Versions: Official high-res PDF maps can still be purchased from Brandon Kowallis's website.
3D Models: For those wanting to see the vertical extent not captured in the 2D plan, 3D reconstructions provide a rare view of the cave's steep, 45-to-70-degree drops.
Virtual Reality: Modern VR experiences like "Cave Crave" allow users to explore the layout digitally.
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.
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 Points of interest (POIs)
from the updated 2004 maps. This was done to discourage cavers from entering the most dangerous, tightest fissures. Hydrothermal Origins
: 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 —
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.
