The Spanish Cave The Wichitas A.K.A The Mummy Cave

I've triapsed through the Wichita Mountains many times myself and always found the refuge peaceful and beautiful. I had no idea that one of the most sought-after cave finds in the Refuge is believed to have had such a tragic story behind it..

Have you heard about the mummy cave in the Wichita Mountains?

It isn't well-known that the Spanish Cave in the Wichitas served as a tomb when it was first discovered because, well, it was never documented.

But, according to Buford Morgan’s 1973 The Wichita Mountains: Ancient Oasis of the Prairies, locals knew and spoke about the tragic past hidden in this cave.

In 1902, Spanish explorers or settlers were said to have found a mummified body of a young boy, who could've possibly been a son of Chief or someone of high importance. They believed this because of the leather dress and moccasins he was wearing beneath the Navajo blankets, which were supposedly a lot nicer than what most other Native Americans were wearing.

The child was also found with coins, an ellaborated carved bracelet, beads, a pearl talisman and other items, according to the recounting from Go Wild History.

The cave is known as the Spanish Cave for the markings originally found on the walls, believed to have been made by Spanish settlers. According to Buford Morgan's work, "Three Spanish-type markings decorate the cave walls. Two are crudely drawn ‘Spanish Crosses’ while the third resembles a symbol of the sun, or perhaps a turtle."

How can you find the Spanish Cave?

Charon's Garden Wilderness is one of the more difficult areas in the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. Generally, the trails take visitors through and over several boulder-climbing routes and difficult inclines.

That being said - it's by no means impossible.

The Pemberton Boys recounted a detailed path to find the cave, saying that the most direct path starts by Oak Lake.

Ideally, visitors can park by Oak Lake, hike across the dam and head southwest toward a small guide boulder that sits on the southern rim just by itself.

There are a few other ways that may be more challenging for inexperienced hikers.

They also recommended to save this hike for the winter time, as the spring and summer make for high temperatures, thick vegetation and a variety of dangerous snakes and animals.

If you do plan on hiking this trail this summer, please accordingly as the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Officials have implemented an Emergency Closure Order - read more here.