Searches for the land of Aztlan have spanned from Western Mexico all the way to the deserts of Utah in hopes of finding the legendary island. ![]() Others believe it to be a true, physical location that will someday be identified. Some believe it is a mythical land, similar to Atlantis or Camelot, which will live on through legend but will never be found in physical existence. Many consider the missing island of Aztlan to be the ancient homeland where the Aztec people began to form as a civilization prior to their migration to the Valley of Mexico. While much is known about their empire located where today’s Mexico City can be found, less is known about the very start of the Aztec culture. The Aztec people of Mexico created one of the most important empires of the ancient Americas. Is Aztlan the ancient homeland of the great Aztec civilization, or is it just a mythical land described in legends? The Cave Entrance ~ Source: From the National Parks Service. ~ Source: From the National Parks Service. Look Down from the Top: “Last Chance” restrooms near end of hike. Forest Ranger Outlined Against Stalactites ~ Source: Photograph by author. Cave Bacon ~ Source: From the National Parks Service. Stalactite in Timpanogos Cave ~ Source: Photograph by author. Great Heart of Timpanogos ~ Source: Photograph by author. “Timpanogos Cave: Martin Hansen,” available at. Media Images Martin Hansen stands at the natural entrance to Hansen Cave, which he discovered in 1887. Mining claims and previous land disputes threatened the existence of the three caves, and only through the valiant efforts of local citizens, and an appeal to the president of the United States, did it become possible to protect and establish these three caves as the national monument that they are today. When the people of Utah Valley began to recognize the significance of the caves and the potential for tourism, protecting the caves became a higher priority. The three caves are now connected by tunnels to allow tour groups to pass through. This third discovery eventually became known as Middle Cave. While on the opposite side of the canyon, facing the two previously discovered caves, the pair spotted a potential third opening between the two other entrances. The last cave was discovered in 1921 by Heber Hansen and his nephew Wayne as they were hunting. Surprisingly, they rediscovered the entrance to Timpanogos cave and subsequently formed the Payson Alpine Club dedicated to protecting the cave from the thieves and vandals that had destroyed Hansen Cave. Returning from the summit of Timpanogos, this group of friends decided to visit Hansen Cave in the hope of finding the new cave mentioned in the article. In 1921, a group went to find it once again. Though the entrance was covered, rumors of its discovery were perpetuated by an article in the American Fork Citizen. ![]() This discovery was eventually lost after being covered by a landslide. After becoming stuck and taking an alternate route back to their group, they stumbled upon an opening to another cave. Two young men, James Gough and Frank Johnson, became bored while on a tour of Hansen Cave and went exploring. The next cave, Timpanogos Cave, was not discovered until 1913. Inside the cave Martin discovered colorful and beautiful formations, which unfortunately were removed by visitors and miners over time. His discovery came to be known as Hansen Cave. Mountain lion tracks near where he was working led to the entrance of a cave high up the canyon wall. The first of these caves was discovered in 1877 by logger Martin Hansen as he was cutting wood in the canyon. Each cave is filled with exceptional varieties of stalactites, stalagmites, frostwork, flowstone, and other unique cave structures. Settlers in Utah Valley discovered three separate caves in American Fork Canyon, seemingly undisturbed. Thousands of people climb to the top of Mount Timpanogos mountain every year, but many miss so-called the “heart” of the mountain, the Timpanogos Caves.
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