2011-58 Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Hello
All,
After staying home during the month of November we were ready for a trip. Our Thanksgiving holiday gathering consisted of just the two of us followed by a movie at the local theater. We were yearning to spend some time with family over the Christmas holiday. When Barb’s daughter Shana and family invited us to their house in Arizona for the holiday we jumped at the chance to join them.
Hopping in our car we started working our way west passing through Arkansas into Texas. Making it to west Texas we turned north and drove into New Mexico. Our first destination was Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The last time we visited the park was in 1996. On that trip we took the elevator down to the bottom of the caverns, and after spending a couple of hours, we rode it back to the surface. Wow, were we ever surprised to find 11 inches of snow on the ground when arriving back on top! It was a hectic drive back to the campground where we had our motorhome parked.
Since there was no forecast of snow this time around, even though it was mid-December, we chose to take our time and enjoy the caverns. We decided to walk through the natural entrance, explore the caverns, and then take the elevator back to the top.
American Indians have known about the entrance to the caverns for untold years, but they may not have ventured very far into the cave. There is telling evidence, however, that they inhabited the area. Yucca scandals, arrowheads, stone tools, and pottery have been found nearby.
The first Anglo settler to find the natural entrance or enter the cave is unknown. However, Jim White is widely recognized as the premier explorer. He most likely entered the cave in 1898 through the natural entrance by fashioning a ladder of sticks and wire.
Each evening in summer, Mexican free-tailed bats exit Carlsbad Caverns in search of food. It is estimated that the population of bats in the cave is more than 750,000 during peak season. By late October to early November all the bats have migrated to Mexico. Prior to the evening bat flight, a program is given at the cavern entrance by a park ranger. The best bat flights normally occur in July and August. At this time baby bats, born in early summer, join the flight along with migrating bats from colonies further north. The daily pre-dawn return of the bats is different from the evening exit flights--but, purported to be equally impressive. Early risers can see the bats as they re-enter with spectacular dives from heights of hundreds of feet. Individual bats diving in from every direction may reach speeds of 25 mph or more. The park service has built an amphitheater at the natural entrance for watching the “bat show.”
After staying home during the month of November we were ready for a trip. Our Thanksgiving holiday gathering consisted of just the two of us followed by a movie at the local theater. We were yearning to spend some time with family over the Christmas holiday. When Barb’s daughter Shana and family invited us to their house in Arizona for the holiday we jumped at the chance to join them.
Hopping in our car we started working our way west passing through Arkansas into Texas. Making it to west Texas we turned north and drove into New Mexico. Our first destination was Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The last time we visited the park was in 1996. On that trip we took the elevator down to the bottom of the caverns, and after spending a couple of hours, we rode it back to the surface. Wow, were we ever surprised to find 11 inches of snow on the ground when arriving back on top! It was a hectic drive back to the campground where we had our motorhome parked.
Since there was no forecast of snow this time around, even though it was mid-December, we chose to take our time and enjoy the caverns. We decided to walk through the natural entrance, explore the caverns, and then take the elevator back to the top.
American Indians have known about the entrance to the caverns for untold years, but they may not have ventured very far into the cave. There is telling evidence, however, that they inhabited the area. Yucca scandals, arrowheads, stone tools, and pottery have been found nearby.
The first Anglo settler to find the natural entrance or enter the cave is unknown. However, Jim White is widely recognized as the premier explorer. He most likely entered the cave in 1898 through the natural entrance by fashioning a ladder of sticks and wire.
Each evening in summer, Mexican free-tailed bats exit Carlsbad Caverns in search of food. It is estimated that the population of bats in the cave is more than 750,000 during peak season. By late October to early November all the bats have migrated to Mexico. Prior to the evening bat flight, a program is given at the cavern entrance by a park ranger. The best bat flights normally occur in July and August. At this time baby bats, born in early summer, join the flight along with migrating bats from colonies further north. The daily pre-dawn return of the bats is different from the evening exit flights--but, purported to be equally impressive. Early risers can see the bats as they re-enter with spectacular dives from heights of hundreds of feet. Individual bats diving in from every direction may reach speeds of 25 mph or more. The park service has built an amphitheater at the natural entrance for watching the “bat show.”
We
would love to experience the bats coming and going. But, a bummer for us is
that there are absolutely no electronic devices allowed. Cameras, including
video cameras and cellular phones, are NOT permitted. Several scientific
studies, along with the observations of many bat researchers from around the
world, have documented that light causes a disturbance to bats, especially
white light such as that in flash photography.
Since there were no bats in the area during December we were allowed to carry our cameras through the natural entrance. This entrance into the caverns is large and descends rapidly nearly 750 feet. Park service employees have designed switchbacks into the path that provide for easy comfortable walking even for us old folks.
Since there were no bats in the area during December we were allowed to carry our cameras through the natural entrance. This entrance into the caverns is large and descends rapidly nearly 750 feet. Park service employees have designed switchbacks into the path that provide for easy comfortable walking even for us old folks.
It
is a “black hole” that you descend into! However, once you get further into the
cavern the paths are wide and well lit.
Every now and then we
looked back up at the entrance. The further we descended the smaller the hole
above us got until it totally disappeared from sight.
Carlsbad
Caverns includes a large cave chamber called the Big Room. This natural
limestone chamber is almost 4,000 feet long, 635 feet wide, and 255 feet high
at the highest point. It is the third largest chamber in North America and the
seventh largest in the world. Within the Big Room are public restrooms, a lunch
room, and elevators that can be taken to and from the surface.
Formations within the cavern are almost unbelievable. We have toured quite a few caves and none come close to it. The word awesome simply does not do them justice.
We imagined this formation to have caramel syrup flowing over it from above.
Formations within the cavern are almost unbelievable. We have toured quite a few caves and none come close to it. The word awesome simply does not do them justice.
We imagined this formation to have caramel syrup flowing over it from above.
The
path works you through the formations and lights the pathway into the many
different rooms. And, it keeps you from straying into an area where you might
damage formations or get hurt. Lights are strategically placed out of sight in
places needed to enhance the effects of formations. It is truly an amazing
experience.
Some
formations almost appear to be covered with mother of pearl—beautiful.
While
other formations are surrounded by pools of water.
This
beautiful column just disappeared into the darkness above.
As
the path wound through the cave we never knew what to expect around the next
curve. Mother Nature has created a wonderful work of art.
We
thoroughly enjoyed our time at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and would highly
recommend it as a place to visit. Our trek towards Arizona will continue in our
next little blurb.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns