May 4th, 2016
I figured it out. Carlsbad Caverns are actually Carl's Good Caverns on the way in, when you are descending 800 feet in the first mile of your walk. They are Carl's Bad Caverns when you are on the way out and have to climb about a zillion feet in 20 miles! Well, OK, so it's the same 800 feet in a mile, but I tell you, you will not need to visit the gym and spend time on the Stairmaster after you get out.
Other than that (they usually have an elevator working, but it is broken), this was one of the most incredible places I have ever visited. The inside of the cavern is massive, with a floor that covers as much area as 17 football fields and ceilings as high as 130 feet, the entire NFL could play simultaneous games. But it's better than that, it is like a fairy land underground.
Unfortunately, the Apple people did not make the iPhone 5S powerful enough to capture it all, but I offer a few photos to whet your appetite for YOUR trip to the largest known cavern in the western hemisphere.
Hard to believe we would see anything more inspiring than this young lady.
I have no idea. They're just very pretty.
This sunbather was sitting on the rail around the area where we entered the cave complex.
Yes, that is the entrance. Notice how many (steep) switchbacks there
are on the path. We've only just begun.
Looking across the cavern mouth at our first stalactites.
Kinda looks like icicles.
I thought this was a peculiar shaped rock, until I looked more closely and realized it is a wheel off of an ancient mining cart, probably used during the construction of the paths that lead you through the caverns.
Some impressive stalagmites.
Kinda reminds me of a bunch of snow covered Christmas trees.
After we got past the "twilight zone," the light no longer penetrated into the cavern, and we appreciated the artificial lighting. I was surprised to see fog in the cave, until we read a placard that indicates the temperature is 56 degrees F. year round. You could store a lot of wine in this cellar!
Jill overcame her claustrophobia to pose for this one.
All of this is calcite deposits caused by dripping mineral laden water.
This area reminded me of a coral reef.
I believe these stalagmites were in the area called "Temple of the Sun."
This is hard to photograph. It looks like a bunch of miniature trees
sprouting out of the ground, but it is all calcite deposit.
This pond is called "Mirror Pond." The sign is written in mirror image and reflects in readable form in the pool, although water drops fall from the ceiling and disturb the surface, as they did here.
If you click on this picture of a placard describing the area called the "Bottomless Pit," you may be able to read it. In summary, it says the pit is actually 140 feet deep and the ceiling is 370 feet above it.
I thought the top of this stalagmite looked like the face of a gnome.
Are those ferns hanging down? Nope. Calcite.
Another face atop a stalagmite. Kinda reminds me of Jabba the Hutt.
I was very much taken by this little pool.
This fellow is part of an area dubbed "Chinese Theater."
See how happy we are? You think it is because of the immense beauty
we just saw. Actually, we were celebrating the fact that
we made it out of the 800' deep hole...alive. What a climb. Well, the beauty was pretty cool, too.
Here is a link to the Carlsbad Caverns National Park website. They have much more information and better pictures. I heartily recommend adding this place to your bucket list. It is well worth the effort. If you are over 62, get a Senior National Parks pass for $10, and there is no charge to enter the park, or any other national park for that matter. Maybe by the time you get there, the elevator will be fixed, and you won't have to make the climb to the top.
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