Carlsbad Caverns is an awesome place. It is 750 feet deep in some places, and the "Big Room" is as large as 14 football fields. The entire cave system spans over a hundred miles, but the part that visitors enter is less than one percent of the entire cave system. Not all of the cave has been explored, and scientists are still studying the creatures that live there. We were hoping to see the bats, but it is still too early in the year, they haven't returned yet. We walked down the natural entrance, and were soon in near darkness, our way lit only by dim electric lights. There were stalagmites, and stalactites of every size imaginable, as well as giant columns and ceilings over a hundred feet high. Mini caves led off in all directions; park rangers frequent the trail to make sure no one gets off the trail and gets lost. After 4 hours of gawking, walking, and taking pictures, we made our way to the end of the trail and took the elevator up, a distance of 75 stories.
Guadelupe Mountains, location of Carlsbad Caverns - who would guess that underneath this bland countryside, a fairyland of caves lies hidden!
Natural opening of the caves as seen from the aphitheater
The view looking back up from where you come down the trail
Two huge columns
This explains how the columns, etc. are formed. (double click on the picture to enlarge)
This stalagmite called totem pole is 38 feet tall. (see above info)
Check out the ladder made from barbed wire and slats of wood - this was actually used to explore the cave by National Geographic scientists in the 1920s!
If you look carefully you can see Ron in the foreground - gives some perspective on the size of the column
This thing was huge!
A desert cactus in bloom
Ranger Judy
Ranger Ron
Cool gate to the campground where we stayed 2 nights
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