Figura del Mamut

The ecological site off Grutas del Mamut or Mammoth caves is about 7 km from the central historic area of San Cristobal. The main attraction here are the caves but the park also includes palapas with picnic tables, a pavilion for special events, snack bars, a soccer field,  a  river with canoe rentals, and a mountain top vista. The caves  have several dimly lit rooms with some impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The stalactites are the formations that hang from the ceilings of caves while the stalgmites look like they emerge from the ground. Both are collectively referred to as drip-stones because they are formed through deposition  of calcium carbonate and other minerals, which is precipitated from mineralized water solutions.The color of these drip-stones is determined by what minerals are dissolved in the formation process. The images  below include both kinds of dripstones and other photo’s of this ecological site.

stalactites also called icicles

Both stalactites and stalagmites.

This swing bridge leads to the soccer field

a combination of dripstones

A river for canoeing and palapa’s with picnic tables

a wall of icicles

The park’s pavillion