Road Trip 2009 - Day 3

Day 2, we went to Carlsbad Caverns in southern New Mexico. We did the 1 1/4 mile walk down the natural entrance. Once we got to the bottom, we decided to head to the hotel and come back the next day and visit The Big Room. It was going to be another hour and a half of exploration and we were pooped. So, on day 3, we went back. This time, we took the elevator that descends 750 feet in 58 seconds. We knew we were in for a treat, but couldn't imagine how big of a treat it really was. The Carlsbad Caverns are said to be the most decorated caves in the world. If you can read the sign, it says that The Big Room is the largest known natural limestone chamber in the Western Hemisphere. It is shown to scale against a 747. It is roughly the size of 14 football fields. Yes, it is that large. And it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Please remember that it was hard shooting photos in the dim light. So bear with the blurry photos.

Imagine being Jim White, over 100 years ago, trying to explore this cavern with nothing but an oil lamp and his homemade ladders. What took us 1 1/2 hours to descend the natural entrance, took him over 10 hours. He didn't have a paved trail and was exploring the unknown.

If you look in the center of this photo, you can see the handrail going across the length of the photo. This gives you an idea of how big and open this cavern is. Some areas higher than others. but not claustrophobic at all. And it stays a cool 56 degrees year round. We took sweatshirts, but didn't need them. It was very comfortable down there.

Word can't describe how beautiful this cave was.

This stalagtite is call The Lions Tail

Yes, that is exactly what it looks like. Nuff said.

This is a ladder that Jim White build to drop down into a lower cave. It is closed off to the public.

If you ever get a chance to go to southern New Mexico, please do. Carlsbad Caverns is well worth the time and effort. I would definitely go again. If you are a cave explorer, visit their website and check out the other cave tours they have to offer. They have about a 6 month wait on them.