Hiking In The Carlsbad Caverns
Seen from the outside the Carlsbad Caverns, which are located in New Mexico, are anything but impressive and consist of several gray rock formations and a bit of scrub brush covering a less than impressive cliff. However, step inside and this is one of the most astonishing landscapes to be found anywhere on Earth and, with over 100 limestone caves for you to explore, you could wander here for years without seeing the same thing twice.
The Bat Cave is not for the feint hearted and is the home of thousands of these flying mammals. The Bifrost Room is breathtaking and, named after the Bifrost bridge into Valhalla from a Scandinavian myth, the colors here truly echo those of the rainbow spectrum of this mythical crossing. The Hall of the Giants, which is the largest open chamber in the system, covers an astonishing 360,000 square feet. Within these, and the many other rooms, you will discover some of Mother Nature’s most creative work.
The Witch’s Finger, a giant stalagmite, is a corkscrew-like formation which is more than five times the the average person’s height and the Rock of Ages is even more impressive as it makes stationary rock seem to move and the numerous flowstone outcroppings look like a demon’s lair glowing from within.
Within the Carlsbad Caverns you can opt for self guided or staff guided tours with varying degrees of difficulty from simple walks through large open spaces to scaling 10 foot high walls and crawling through narrow openings into large chambers.
One tour takes you through a section of Lechuguilla Cave which, at more than one thousand six hundred feet below ground, is the deepest cave in America. The cave covers a total of more than 112 miles winding through the Guadalupe Mountains.
For the less active, you can travel to the Big Room by elevator which descends 900 feet and look up and be simply awestruck by this 25 story high open space. You can then wander around this 1,800 foot by 250 foot room that is filled with astonishing rock formations. Also take the time to visit the Temple of the Sun and see the its dozens of eerily lit underground pools.
If you do want to see the bats however you will have to visit between April and September as the three hundred thousand Mexican free tailed bats who live here fly south for the winter. A short half mile hike from the natural entrance leads to a plateau from where you can descend the 750 feet into the Bat Cave.
Remember too to pop on your favorite pair of discount hiking boots and explore the area surrounding the caves as there are many fascinating things to both see and do. In spite of its name, hiking along Rattlesnake Springs you are much more likely to come across dozens of harmless reptiles and birds than you are to encounter the dangerous snakes from which the place gets its name.
A final favorite with visitors to the area is the 10 mile scenic drive through Walnut Canyon. This drive travels along Guadalupe Ridge and the views along the way are simply stunning.
The Carlsbad Caverns are of course just one of many splendid hiking areas in the United States and rank with such other great pleasures as Yosemite day hikes.