Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

In March, 2008 we headed east instead of south... through Arizona and New Mexico... even had to go through some of Texas to get to Carlsbad Caverns.

It was an experience that we are ready to repeat! I had actually been there once before (1979), but it was like a first time after all those years... It takes two days to drive from San Diego to Carlsbad NM, we overnighted near the Arizona/ New Mexico border.

The highest point in Texas is Guadalupe Mountain...



Which is the southern end of the anchient reef that contains the caverns.



The caverns are next to a tiny town of White City, almost looked abandoned... We had enough time to go to the cavern entrance and check out the times and ticket details before driving the several miles north to Carlsbad.

We stayed at the Ocotillo Hotel which had a great bar with great steaks served right were you drink... Has the largest collection of Tequila in New Mexico, the owner says.

Up early the next morning for a day underground! The entrance ticket is good for 3 days, by-the-way.

Now, I will recommend that you buy photos... these are all from my camera, but only about 1/4 came out okay... taking pictures in the dark that don't blur is most difficult for a hand held camera.



We went in via the natural entrance and came out at the end of our day using the elevator...





Looking back out... last view of daylight!



















To be continued...

[Edited on 2-20-2010 by David K]

The photos cannot describe the size of these features or the cave itself... it is huge... a jumbo jet be in there with room to spare... Some of the stalagmites are the size of city office buildings... You gotta see this place for yourself!

More to come...

excellent DK - did a family vaca there in the late 60s. My brother lives close to there today.
i love caves - check out Karchner Caverns near Benson in AZ. discovered and kept a secret for 10 years before it was commissioned as a state park.

then it was off to mexico, Juarez, and the museum of Pancho villa. Finally off to Chihuahua for a few nights before heading home to KS with my smuggled chitchblade knife. i think i was like 13 maybe 14 then.
my folks loved all things mexico and eventually began flying small planes with friends to Guaymas from KS for vaca with their best friends who had a plane.

i also got my 1st pack of horseschitt cigs on that trip...

Again... only a small sampling of what is there... and you can't even imagine what it is like. This is a must do trip if you have any adventure spirit in you!

I also suggest that you don't bother taking a camera in there... they sell professional photos on disc and videos there... Just enjoy yourselves... it is a self guided tour that you can take your time as you move down. A highly recommended guided tour takes groups into the King's Chamber and other rooms off limits to others. It is a small additional charge for these side tours and it was WELL worth it!

We went back through the Guadalupes on our way back home from Baja last summer---if you get a chance stop in the state park and check out the Texas Madrones---relative of the Madrones in California and Oregon (and the lesser known Peninsular Madrone from the central/southern mountains of Baja). Beautiful trees, relatives of Azaleas, Blueberries, and Manzanita.