Take a look at the Natural Entrance photos, (I had several that were at least as good as this one, even some with both of us proving we were there ) that is the route Bruce & I walked down – 750’ down in 1.25 miles, in the mostly twilight/dark – steep and dim are exactly the words that comes to mind. Even with the paved surface and rails- your back and knees take a lickin, although 4 Ibuprofen once we returned home and an adult beverage or so made things much more bearable. There is an elevator that takes you down to the Big Room for wimps- but we decided to be the “explorers we know we are in our hearts”. OK – I have to tell the truth – weight (what weight?) does impact your speed and comfort, as does age and knee health, so keep that in mind for all you future visitors- although if I can do it, most anyone should be able to walk this route, especially if you have drugs for recovery. If you are a first time visitor, you should do this at least once- it is well worth the 45 minutes (definitely not us) – 1 ½ hours (more likely our time although we did not have watches or cell phones with us). It wasn’t just the steepness of the walk – I of course had to stop multiple times to take all those fabulous photos we would post on the blog after I edited them and added my terrific comments – like stalactite 1, stalagmite 2, etc.– NOT! Maybe our memories will be better anyway - since my little Samsung D53 camera does not perform in dim light with the finesse of an expensive Nikon and we would most likely not even recognize most of what I shot.
Did you know that the Caverns were once a horseshoe shaped reef formed from sponges, algae & seashells. As the reef rose, cracks developed. Once the surrounding sea dried up, the reef was buried under deposits of salts and gypsum. During the uplift forming the Guadalupe Mountains (nearby and also part of the Chihuahuan Desert ) formed, rainwater seeped into the cracks and faults in the buried reef’s limestone while simultaneously the sulfide-rich water from the oil & gas fields to the east migrated upward. When these 2 waters mixed, sulfuric acid was formed and that is what dissolved the limestone and opened up the faults and fractures into large chambers. After more movement, the mountains were pushed up and the caverns fell.
The NPS is doing a great job of protecting this World Heritage Site (designated in 1995) from the devastating impact of people. Did you know that now one of the greatest impacts (now that they have stopped walking off the paths, eating & drinking except sugarless water, touching anything, throwing coins into pools, smoking, etc. ) to the Caverns is LINT -– you know, that stuff under our couches that we usually ignore until those dust bunnies grow into full size monsters. Every time a person or animal comes into the caves they slough off skin and hair – and this lint fosters the growth of bacteria that can create acids that etch the rock/formations and cover them with what looks like grey dirt. Several times a year there are volunteers that come in to clean lint from the “decorations.” Decorations are what the formations in the caverns are called – and decorations are exactly what many of these look like – delicate soda straws, draperies, cave pearls, popcorn, flowstone and of course stalactites and stalagmites inv varying sizes that become columns when they meet. The caverns had the lighting done by a Broadway expert- to show off the most dramatic and to still ensure the cave looked exactly lie a cave. Very calming and definitely worth the time to enjoy.
The general entrance fee to the Caverns covers the 2 general tours- the Natural Entrance walk in and the Big Room, the largest of the 11 out of known 113 caves that are open. It is a one-mile stroll around and through the perimeter and takes 1.5 hours or more depending again on how often you (or your companion) stop for pictures you don’t use, whether you pay the minimal $3 for the audio tour and stop to listen at the appropriate numbers, or if you just stroll through as a teenager. There is one additional “generic” but Ranger-led tour through King’s Palace. We will take that next time- if able, since it is another 800+ feet down AND back up in that one. At least with the Natural Entrance walk – it is only down you must take the elevators back to the surface. If you are really adventurous there are several other ranger-led tours that require crawling, climbing ladders in the dark, head lamps, lanterns, and much better physical condition/health and claustrophobia control than we have or are probably likely to ever have.
Ok – you have the high lights so now go visit the NPS site, look at the pictures and plan your own visit. That is the only way to really experience the beauty and grandeur of one of what is the world’s natural wonders. There may be larger and deeper caves- but most of the visitors from all over have declared Carlsbad as the most beautiful
We are off now to see the bat flight tonight at dusk and who knows, may get some “proof” pictures at the natural entrance as well as some of the closer formations in the Big Room.
It is time for a late lunch-early dinner so will post again tonight or tomorrow after we get to Sugarite Canyon (pronounced sugar-eete) State Park at Raton, NM. Later…..
No comments:
Post a Comment