While Black Chasm Cavern was likely known about by the local Miwok people who existed in this area long before the gold rush, the first documented exploration occurred in 1854 when a group of explorers braved the unknown to discover the phenomenal beauty that exists below the surface including a bright blue lake and millions of sparkling crystals that seemed to twist from the cavern walls in every direction, we now know these unusual formations as 'helictites.

These amazing crystals seem to defy gravity as they twist and curl from the cave wall in every direction. Of all known caves on Earth, perhaps 5% contain helictites.