Week 169 - Carlsbad Caverns Photo Collection - 11-08-2009

Welcome,

This second week at home we are presenting our Carlsbad Caverns Collection. Carlsbad Caverns are in Southeastern New Mexico. These huge caverns were discovered in 1898 by Jim Larkin White at the age of 16. Jim was out on the Lucas Ranch looking for stray cattle when we saw a black cloud. What he thought was a volcano or whirlwind was hundreds of thousands of bats exiting the cave. He found the hole in the ground where the bats emerge each evening around sunset, between April and November. The majority of the bats are Mexican Free-tailed bats. After his discovery, Jim descended in the cave hundreds of times on a rope ladder and then began taking tourists into the cave.

This photo was obtained from Google Images; the remainder are from our collection.

In 1930 the caverns were designated the Carlsbad Caverns Wilderness as part of our vast National Park system. The road to the caverns is easily accessible by motorhome and there are plenty of RV parking spots at the entrance. We would suggest an early arrival during the busy weekends of Memorial Day and 4th of July.

This amphitheater is at the walking entrance to the caverns. During the summer, rangers give talks around sunset when the bats are flying out.

This is the opening that Jim White found. Jim used ropes to descend into the caverns. He later would lower tourists by rope ladder and in large buckets.

Your descent takes you down 750 feet, about the height of a 60 story building. The exit elevators can be used for those who are wheel-chair bound. The majority of the 3 miles of paths are also negotiable by wheelchair. This is the underground visitor center and lunchroom.

You will want to spend several hours. There is a tremendous variety of formations.

This is the ladder to the Bottomless Pit. When stones were tossed in, those listening would never here it hit bottom. It has been discovered since to be only 140 feet deep with very soft soil cushioning the fall of the stones.

This is a second theater for Ranger led programs.

Our camera is not good for low light situations but seemed to capture this ghost with ease.

A final note. For a couple of dollars you can rent a guided tour audio unit. This is a definite must to really learn about these fabulous caverns.

If you get to New Mexico, do not miss this spectacular park.

Love, Pete and Ellen

Photos from Apr 2007