The most widely circulated map of Nutty Putty (drafted by the Timpanogos Grotto of the National Speleological Society) includes:
Importantly, the map did not include "The Birth Canal" as a dead-end trap — because that’s not what it was. The fatal spot wasn't a named feature on earlier maps. The area where John Edward Jones became stuck in 2009 was a narrow, unmapped fork off "Ed’s Push" — a passage he likely mistook for the larger, more forgiving "Birth Canal."
While the Nutty Putty Cave map accurately depicts the distances and directions, a 2D piece of paper cannot convey the physiological demands of the cave.
The critical detail missing from most public versions of the map is the orientation of the passages. Nutty Putty is primarily a fracture cave. The passages are mostly narrow, horizontal slots. To navigate, you must turn your body sideways, or flatten yourself into a "caterpillar crawl" (belly-down, pushing with toes).
The map shows the "Main Branch" as a relatively straight line. In reality, that line represents a passage that in some places is only 10 inches high and 30 inches wide.
Surprisingly, the Nutty Putty Cave map may have contributed to the confusion. While accurate for its time, the map did not show every tiny offshoot or the subtle differences in passage size. In 2009, John Jones — an experienced caver but not a Nutty Putty expert — entered a section the map showed as passable, but which in reality had a sharp downward turn into a dead-end chimney. He descended headfirst and could not reverse.
Rescuers later noted that the map gave an impression of continuous passage where there wasn’t one. It wasn’t a bad map — but it wasn’t detailed enough to convey the three-dimensional trap hidden in plain sight.
The Nutty Putty Cave map is now a digital ghost. It serves three lasting purposes:
John Jones rests in the clay. His body is exactly where the map labels "Ed's Push," though today, that label is academic. The concrete that seals the cave does not just block the entrance; it buries the map's legend.
The next time you look at the Nutty Putty Cave map, don't see a puzzle to solve. See a warning that some doors, once opened, cannot be closed—and some arrows on a map are actually pointing to a grave.
If you are interested in safe caving, never explore alone, always tell someone your route, and stick to mapped, open systems like Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Nutty Putty is closed forever.
The Nutty Putty Cave map is more than a guide; it is a blueprint of a tragedy that changed caving in Utah forever. Originally known as an "easy" cave for Boy Scouts and families, the map details a 1,400-foot network of hydrothermal tunnels—warm, slick with clay, and deceptively tight. The Geography of a Tragedy
In November 2009, 26-year-old medical student John Jones entered the cave with his brother Josh. The official map, drafted by cartographer and rescuer Brandon Kowallis, shows the route they took toward the infamous "Birth Canal."
The Wrong Turn: John believed he was entering the Birth Canal, a tight but traversable squeeze. Instead, he entered an unmapped, downward-sloping fissure known as "Ed’s Push".
The Trap: As the passage narrowed to just 10 by 18 inches, John became wedged upside down at a 70-degree angle, 400 feet into the cave and 100 feet below the surface. nutty putty cave map
The Rescue Effort: For 27 hours, over 135 rescuers struggled to free him using a complex pulley system. A pulley failure caused John to slide further into the crevice, and he ultimately passed away from cardiac arrest and positional asphyxia. A Sealed Memorial
Because his body could not be safely removed, the cave was permanently sealed with concrete on December 3, 2009. The map now serves as a historical record of his final resting place.
Today's Access: While the physical cave is closed, a digital restoration has been created by 3R Games in the VR game "Cave Crave." This allows for a respectful, authentic exploration of the cave's layout using Kowallis's original data.
Safety Legacy: The incident led to stricter regulations and a shift in how "easy" hydrothermal caves are perceived by the caving community.
The Nutty Putty Cave map is a detailed representation of approximately 1,355 to 1,400 feet of complex, hydrothermal tunnels located west of Utah Lake. Created primarily by cartographer Brandon Kowallis in 2003, the map captures a maze of tight squeezes and vertical drops that characterized this popular spelunking destination before its permanent closure in 2009. Key Layout and Passages
The cave's structure is often described as a capital "L" on its side, split into two primary routes after a 15-foot initial drop from the entrance:
The Maze (Left Route): A series of overlapping passages and unusual forms sculpted by rising superheated water. It is recommended to use a map here to avoid looping back to the start.
The Big Slide (Right Route): A long, 45-degree sloping chamber that leads deeper into the cave.
The Birth Canal: One of the most famous and tightest sections, known for its extreme narrowness before widening into larger rooms.
The Aortal Crawl: A grueling, body-tight crawl spanning 115 feet, located past the Big Slide.
Ed's Push: A remote area where the tragic 2009 incident occurred. Reading the Map
The official survey map utilizes specific symbols to convey the cave's challenging topography:
Plan View: The map provides an overhead "top-down" look at the system.
Cross-Sections: Small diagrams illustrate the specific shape and height of passages at various points. The most widely circulated map of Nutty Putty
"TT" Markings: These denote passages that are "too tight" for further exploration.
Underlined Passages: Indicate where one tunnel passes directly beneath another. The John Jones Accident Location
The map gained global attention following the death of John Edward Jones in 2009. While he intended to find the Birth Canal, Jones mistakenly entered an unmapped, 70-degree downward chute in the Ed's Push area. He became wedged upside down in a crevice measuring only about 10 inches wide and 18 inches deep. Because the area was too narrow for recovery equipment and human intervention, the cave was permanently sealed with Jones' remains still inside, serving as a natural memorial. The Nutty Putty Cave Rescue & the Death of John Jones
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.
: 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.
Nutty Putty Cave in Utah is permanently closed and sealed following the tragic death of John Edward Jones in 2009. Physical entry is no longer possible, as the entrance has been filled with concrete to serve as a final resting place and memorial. Accessing Maps and Virtual Tours
While you cannot visit in person, several resources allow you to study the cave's complex layout: Importantly, the map did not include "The Birth
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
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.