Carlsbad, New Mexico and Carlsbad Caverns National Park

We left Lubbock, Texas and drove to the Carlsbad Elks Lodge in New Mexico.  It was kind of dumpy place to camp on an old road behind the lodge.  All the electrical was on one pole and hard to get 4 RV’s close enough to connect.  Luckily there were only two there when we arrived.   

After we got set up, we went for a walk along the Pecos River.  There was a nice walkway with an area they were setting up with Christmas decorations.

A palm tree with its winter pajamas on!

When we got back to our RV, the motorhome parked nearby was gone.  Good for us.  It was a noisy place with lots of train horns and noise.  Good thing we were only staying two nights.

On our full day in the area we went to Carlsbad Caverns National Park and had tickets to enter the cave between 10:30 – 11:30.  We worked on my Junior Ranger book first then went to the cave.  It was a long walk down, down, down……1.25 miles into the cave on switchbacks and then inside the cave before we got to the Big Room.  It was an enjoyable walk with some awesome sites.  It was like walking in a winter wonderland. 

Pathway towards the cave.

Amphitheater just outside the entrance to the cave.

The Descent
You are in the mouth of the cavern.  The Natural Entrance Trail follows many switchbacks along the steep path as it descends 75 stories to the Big Room.  The cavern entrance is a natural opening, created by upward collapse from the cavern below. 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back up towards the entrance to the cave.

Still climbing down and in to the dark.

We followed the path and saw many, many stalactites and stalagmites as we walked the Big Room trail for another 1.25 miles. 

Whales Mouth

 

Drip by Drip
We all start small.  The trio of stalagmites before you each began as a single drop of water.  Drip water came from the surface as rain and melted snow.  It became slightly acidic as it absorbed carbon dioxide from the air and soil.  This acidic water dissolved calcite out of the limestone as it flowed down along cracks and pores.  As fast-dripping water splashed on the floor, calcite formed thin layers around the point of impact.  This piled up into the shape of a dome.  Slowly the trio grew higher and higher, and now they're the largest stalagmites in the cave!

 

 

See that ladder of fence wire and sticks?  It was made by Jim White, an early explorer.  Imagine climbing down into Lower Cave as the ladder swayed above the dark pit.  Dr. Willis T. Lee did just that in 1924.  Lee's photo expedition with the National Geographic Society covered many miles, revealing new tunnels and rooms.  It followed Lee's first expedition a year earlier, which led to the establishment of Carlsbad Cave National Monument on October 25, 1923.

An old ladder used in cave exploration.

Mirror Lake

 

 

Luckily there was an elevator to get out of the cave which saved us from hiking back out!

 

I earned my 40th Junior Ranger badge with Carlsbad Caverns.  

I wasn't too excited about visiting another cave but Carlsbad Caverns was worth a stop.  We really enjoyed it!  Next we're making a visit to White Sands National Park.  Thanks for following along......