We've all heard the rumors about mysterious caverns hidden around campus. Are they there for protection in case of a nuclear holocaust? Perhaps they are designed to allow campus personnel to travel great distances with little hassle? Or maybe they have some other, more sinister purpose. This seemed exactly the type of thing Y Secrets should be reporting on.
We found some good news and some bad news. The good news is there really are tunnels. The bad news is they are used mainly for pipes, wires, and other basic utilities- and students are not allowed down.
Si Min investigated the matter further, and this is what he found:
"First, BYU relies on steam and hot water for its entire heating system. Well over 100 buildings are heated from one central building (the Phys Plant) whose smoke stack is noticeable from quite a distance. These pipes run through tunnels which run under the sidewalks on campus. This explains why BYU is the only place in Utah County which has very few cracks in the sidewalks. The heat from the pipes keeps the sidewalks from freezing in the winter. This in turn attracts the skateboarders and rollerbladers who are forbidden from campus.
The real problem with getting down and exploring these tunnels is that they are still in use today and the campus police are serious about keeping people out. Rumours still persists of people who have figured out how to get down there, but no one knows anybody personally."
So it would seem that our mystery is solved, but is this information too convenient to be the truth? We will leave that for our readers to decide.
In high school I worked as a janitor in the MTC cafeteria. Below the cafeteria they store all their food and cleaning supplies (So I had to go down their a lot). Anyway, my coworker and I would occasionally get bored and explore the place a little bit and we found an entrance to the tunnels that run all over campus. Apparently the tunnels under the MTC also run up to the Temple. We didn't venture too far into the tunnels for fear of losing our jobs but the few hundred feet that we did go in to them, they were just full of pipes and wires. In a lot of places you had to duck or turn side ways to squeeze through, so my guess would be that they actually are for just that, pipes and wires.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the comment that you left on my blog earlier. I have been writing more about the same topics.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when I was in the MTC some of the missionaries in my district entered the tunnels through the MTC laundry room. They got in trouble for it.
Here's a secret.
ReplyDeleteAnd he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the Spirit; and if he repents not he shall be cast out. (D&C 42:23)
16 And verily I say unto you, as I have said before, he that looketh on a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit cadultery in their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear. (D&C 63:16)
By having a survey about NCMOing with a BYU cheerleader on your website, you bring out the worst in everyone. The moment the question is asked you invite them to lust after the cheerleaders. It is particularly disgusting and offensive that you would put "if I wasn't already married" as an option.
I know you may be doing this in good fun, but denying the faith, losing the Spirit, and potentially being cast out are not fun.
Let's represent the school and the Church with this site.
Thanks,
Andrew
I think that last comment would fit better under: http://www.ysecrets.com/2008/09/17/hot-air-for-a-cool-night/
ReplyDeleteI've been in the tunnels. There was an entrance in the bottom of the old cannon center when I worked there.
ReplyDeleteLast year I definitely got to go through the tunnels for my civil engineering class. We were studying the BYU heating system and the tunnels run all over and some of them even go south of campus. The heating system ends with the Widtsoe building but the tunnels keep on going south for a long far south of campus. We were not allowed to go down there but but it appeared that they accessed student housing south of campus. Why?
ReplyDeleteThe tunnels under campus are quite extensive. I personally have walked from the MOA, all the way to the SFH, underground. With the addition of the new library, motion sensors were added to the tunnels near it. The alarms are very effective.
ReplyDeleteThe tunnels go down as far as six stories. Most of the larger buildings, such as the HFAC, have their own tunnel systems that interconnect to each other. There are many locked doors separating each. Most of the tunnels are utility tunnels used for steam pipes, but some of them also connect to the storm drain system.
I have been in rooms under the new library that are three stories high and as big as a gym. The tunnel connecting the MOA to the main system is big enough to drive a semi through. All those metal "doors" in the ground you see in the side walks around campus? They lead to the tunnels. A good example of one can be found near the steam vents by the Kimbal tower. Another popular entrance is on the stairway leading down to the SFH.
There is a storage vault connecting to the tunnels between the Brimhall and the Maiser Building. Said to contain art. Some other notable features include a sloping tunnel that goes down hill to the SFH and a three story tube with a ladder that connects the new library to the tunnel system.
There is a utility building next to the engineering student buildings with several large garage bay doors that open to the the central steam control area. There, you will find several tunnel entrances. The garage doors are frequently open and accessible, but there are lots of employees there to notice interlopers.
I have found entrances to portions of the tunnels I could not access that lead to the MTC, Provo temple, Wymount, Wyview, and to several other out buildings. I have heard the stadium also connects. So I know the system is even more extensive then what I experience.
The campus is always changing. New buildings being made. Old ones being torn down. Isn't there and underground parking garage there now? Point is, the tunnels are always changing. No there are buildings there I have never walked into. I can only imagine security of the tunnels has increased drastically since my time there. When I left Provo, they had just started installing motion detectors. Had a few "close calls" which ultimately discouraged further exploration. Many have said the tunnels are dangerous, and I guess I could see why. But anyone with a flashlight, a decent sense of direction, some patience, and a modicum of common sense shouldn't experience any significant threat to their person.
But those days are gone. My guess is the place is SIGNIFICANTLY more secure today.
I have done much exploring in the tunnels, and know how of two ways to enter the tunnels. First, it should be noted that there are different tunnels throughout campus. The tunnels that go all around campus and up to the MTC, temple, and other dorms are not the same tunnels that run under the HFAC and Wilkinson Center, which supposedly contain food in case of an emergency. The extensive tunnels that run under campus and up to the dorms and MTC are blocked off by a cement wall just a little past the MOA and JKB, but the pipes run through. Also, there are sensors throughout the tunnels, most of which are located close to the hatches that lead up to the ground. Keep a lookout for these sensors. They are very easy to avoid tripping. The sensors basically send out an infrared signal going straight out to a reflector. So it sends out the infrared and has a sensor to make sure the infrared returns as well. As long as you don't walk through that laser shot you will not set off the sensor. I usually army crawl under the sensors. In some places (namely near the library and the JFSB parking structure there are actual motion sensors, and it is not possible to avoid setting those off. I have set off these sensors on several occasions, and I have never stuck around to see what would happen, but as far as I know, the police have never come.
ReplyDeleteThe utility tunnels have pipes that run hot water, and word at the police department is that at random times when more hot water is needed they pump it through those pipes at 1000 degrees. I have spent hours down there and have never experienced this. This, is supposedly why the tunnels are so dangerous. For this very reason the police department will not send officers into the tunnels unless there is confirmation from the coal plant that there will not be a burst sent through at that time, and so that means that they will likely not respond ever at night, despite knowing of your presence down there. I became familiar enough with the tunnels, though, that I was quite confident that I would be able to flee from anyone trying to catch me, being that I knew where the hatches were.
Some of you are probably wondering how you can get into the tunnels... I'll give one way, but not the other. The way I am providing is in a very open spot, very obvious to passersby, including the BYU police that pass by frequently. The other spot is much more inconspicuous, and a more convenient entrance, which is why I don't want to find that it gets shut off due to too many people getting caught going through there.
There is an entrance into the tunnels on the north side of the SFH, right in front of one of the main entrances. The hatch is not locked, but is very visible, so you would need to go very late at night and be very cautious to avoid getting caught. There is a ladder that goes down into a small room. At the opening of the room there are two large pipes that run across, and you can slip in between the pipes pretty easily, but you'll get dirty. From there you can only go left, because on the right there is a scissor fence that is locked up. The tunnel will go up Maiser Hill, and has very low clearance. you can see where the tunnel runs when it snows because the snow melts over where the tunnel is. Other than that, watch your butts, don't get caught. If you hear someone, just run, you'll probably be able to get out a hatch and run away.
Also, near a corner somewhere on the east side of the JKB there is a metal chair right next to some pipes with a chain there... This was there before I ever showed up, and your guess is as good as mine as to what it was used for. Pretty freaky.
-M : If you could possibly email me, I think I'd like to talk to you. I have some questions, and it sounds like you might have some answers.
ReplyDeleteAt the very least, it'll make for a good story!
Thanks,
Rich Fish
(fisherich@gmail.com)
I hate to double post, but my above comment stands for anyone who has been in the tunnel systems extensively. Please email me.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Rich Fish
(fisherich@gmail.com)
So i have also been down there several times...
ReplyDeleteI will not say anything about how i got down there, because i heard that they have been closing some of the entrances. I dont know if its true as i was just down there recently, but i am just going to stay quiet. There are a lot more interesting secrets about BYU though. No doubt about it. If you meet the right people, and keep your ears open, you might find some good ones like i have. :)
Please email me at chasehaddock1@gmail.com if you've been down in tunnels. I could share some stories and would exchange info with one another
ReplyDeleteIve been in the tunnels from helaman to heritage and to the MTC this semester. Currently trying to find a way into the campus ones. if anyone knows anything text me at 8179803304. id be glad to share and exchange info
ReplyDeleteI work as part of the Tunnel Crew, a division of the Specialty Crews department out of Auxiliary Maintenance at BYU. If you want to know more, hit me up! My email is najwinters @ gmail . com
ReplyDeleteCan anyone help me find the tunnel entrances at BYU- Idaho?
ReplyDelete