DID YOU KNOW? In New Mexico, there are over 145 miles of mapped cave passages, reaching a depth of 1,604 feet down into the ground. Carlsbad Caverns allows visitors to safely explore a small fraction of these passages, entering either by a strenuous hike through the natural entrance or via an elevator trip from the Visitor's center down to the main passage.
The cave was discovered in 1898, by 16-year-old cowboy Jim White. The story passed down through the generations is that one day while rounding up cattle, he noticed wildfire smoke in the distance. Concerned, he rode toward it hoping to gather information such as size and speed of movement to report back to camp. Upon nearing the presumed wildfire, he realized it wasn’t smoke he was seeing…instead, it was thousands-upon-thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats exiting from a cavern. Curiosity peaked, Jim returned a few days later with a ladder he homemade from pieces of wood and fencing wire. One hand on the wire, one hand holding his oil lamp, Jim lowered himself over 60 feet into the darkness. The initial fear and eeriness he must have felt is evident in the first few names he gave his discoveries: Devil’s Armchair, Devil’s Den, Witch’s Finger, Bottomless Pit, and more. Slowly though, over the next years of exploring, the names he chose evolved to recognize his awe and appreciation for this natural grandeur: Kings Palace, Queen’s Chamber, Temple of the Sun, and Fairyland. Over the next few decades, Jim continued to explore the cave while miners collected the bat guano to sell.
Up until 1925, visitors were manually lowered into the cave inside what was once a bucket used for mining bat guano. They used ladders much like the one Jim used, and whatever light sources they provided for themselves. Thankfully, technology development has made accessing this cave much less dangerous. Visitors who are up to a strenuous hike can enter the cave through the natural entrance. The trail is steep, with an average 20% grade, and lit by dim spotlights. Handrails, covered with moisture, line the trail to aid in the descent. For visitors who would rather opt out of the hike, an elevator in the Visitor Center transports them down 750 feet to the Big Room, which features a gift shop, snack bar, and access to explore the easier underground trails .
Being the adventurers we are, we chose to utilize the natural trail...and it was totally worth the effort. Our trip into the cave was incredible. I don’t know how to describe it other than that it felt like we had stepped into another world or dimension. Walking through the cave, I could totally envision some sort of other-world movie being filmed down there. Words fail to fairly represent the feeling of awe that this natural wonder instills in viewers.
Stalagmites, stalagtites, soda straws, draperies, popcorn, mineral water, creepy cave critters, ringtail cats, fallen boulders, intriguing rock structures...unbelievable wonders out of sight, yet unquestionably real. The Carlsbad Caverns alone are well worth the drive to New Mexico. In fact, we actually returned the next day to once again descend into this ginormous hole before having to move on in our travels. Despite painfully achy muscles from the previous day, our second trip was quicker...spurred by anxiety for our sick pup back in the RV. But regardless of being more hurried in our explorations, our second trip was just as fascinating and we noticed new things we didn't pay attention to on our first descent. God's unending creativity is displayed in the unique beauty of these Caverns. If you have not been there, we highly recommend a trip!
Until next time, God bless!
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