Road Trip 2009 - Day 2

Today, a "J White 1898" inscription in a cave boulder well into the dark zone of the cavern testifies to the presence of 16 year-old Jim White, 100 years ago, following his curiosity into the cave darkness. That curiosity set him on a course of discovery that would last the rest of his life.

As guano miner, explorer, guide, trail-builder, park ranger and tireless promoter, White spent nearly a half century bringing this cave to the attention of others. During those early years, Jim White did whatever needed to be done to draw others to the cavern he so dearly loved.

From the beginning, White single-handedly risked entry into the inky depths of an unknown and huge underground chamber. He endured scorn from those who stayed safely on the surface and ridiculed his exploration reports. He guided almost everyone through the cave from the casually interested visitor to government and scientific experts, reporters and photographers. After years of toiling in near anonymity, White's dedication and determination finally bore fruit. Carlsbad Cave National Monument was authorized in 1923. In 1930 Congress proclaimed it Carlsbad Caverns National Park. (excerpt from The Discovery and History of Carlsbad Caverns, Jim White's own Story)

This is the Natural Cave Entrance and ampitheatre (for the bat flight show). This walk descends 750 feet and is 1 1/4 mile long. It is a paved trail that took us about 2 hours to descend.

Heading down the path into the main cave entrance.

Almost to the cave entrance.

Here we go! Right inside the entrance. It is already very, very cool!! Kuna Cave doesn't hold a candle to this!

They carved paths through some of the rocks to make the paths. This cave entrance is absolutely ginormous!

We drove through Roswell, NM on our way down to Carlsbad. Notice the t-shirts?

These limestone caves were carved by very aggressive sulfuric acid about 250 million years ago.

Keep in mind that we are descending 750 feet into the earth. There are lights throughout the cave, but it is still very dark inside. Therefore, it was difficult to take good quality pictures with our amature camera. We didn't do too bad, but some will be out of focus. Regardless, the pictures can't even begin to describe the awesomeness of the Caverns. You MUST go and see it for yourself. Seriously. It is worth the drive.

StalagMITE: One that grows up from the ground and stands "mighty"

StalagTITE: One that grows down from the ceiling and clings "tight" (lesson from park ranger)

Good picture of the trail descending down (looking up) into the main cave. This 1 1/4 mile walk is still considered the cave entrance.

Looking down into the entrance

It was SOOO beautiful. We were able to take our time and admire everything.

Do you see the 2 blurry people next to the 2nd stalagmite on the right? That gives you an idea of the size of things.

Absolutely beautiful!

Looking up at the cave entrance. Still have a long ways to descend.

You can rent audio devices that give you information about the caves throughout the tour.

Here's the family listening to something cool.

We have finally descended to the bottom of the entrance. Here, you can see different pathways. If you go to the right, you will enter the Big Cave. If you go to the left, you will find the bathrooms, a resteraunt, and the elevator that takes 58 seconds to go 750 feet. If you don't want to walk the entrance route, or aren't in good enough health, you can take the elevator. But that isn't an adventure. At least on the first day.

This is what it looks like outside the cave. The caverns are about 30 minutes south of the town of Carlsbad, New Mexico. You are literally in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to see for miles and miles and miles. It's so awesome to know that these caverns are hidden below. I'm thankful that they were discovered so many years ago and that we are able to see the natural wonder of them.