Carlsbad Caverns

March 26, 2012

After the Guadalupe Peak hike we were exhausted, however, this was our chance to see the caverns. We did our normal routine; visitor center, Jr ranger book, watch park movie, check out the gift shop, and experience the park.

We hiked the natural cavern entrance rather than taking the elevator.  If you ever go, take the time to use the natural entrance.  The feeling of entering a large whole in the earth and descending deeper and deeper and deeper is surreal. I can only imagine the excitement and fear felt by the 1920's National Geographic team that used this wire and wood ladder for cavern exploration. It is preserved because the cave environment encourages preservation and slows down decay.  It is essential not to litter in the cave.  

The Cavern trails are paved, well marked, signed, and designed to keep you from damaging the rock and yourself.  But initial tours we very different.  Tours that now take 3-4 hours used to take all day! Visitors had to follow Jim White, the initial cavern explorer. He found the cave as a 16yr old cowhand and by the time he led tours he knew it like the back of his hand. Visitors hoped he didn't die in the cave on their tour because no one would know how to get out.  Nowadays handrails and lights mark the big features but back then a small handheld lantern was all a visitor had.  Even though visitors walked through and over the rock formations to move around the cave, they may have missed huge cavern features simply due to their light not shining far enough.

James took some amazing photos.  We saw draperies, stalagmites, stalactites, cave popcorn, and many other formations.  It is awe inspiring and a testament to the advantages of preserving natural wonders.