A Hiking Trip To The Carlsbad Caverns National Park Of New Mexico

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Seen from the outside the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico are nothing special and consist of a number of gray rock formations and a little scrub brush covering a not too cliff. However, inside this is one of the most astonishing landscapes to be found anywhere on Earth and, with more than 100 limestone caves for you to explore, you can wander here for years and not see the same thing twice.

The Bat Cave is not for the feint hearted and is the home of thousands of these flying mammals. The Bifrost Room is breathtaking and, named after the Bifrost bridge into Valhalla from a Scandinavian myth, the colors truly echo those of the rainbow spectrum of this mythical crossing. The largest open chamber in the system is The Hall of Giants which covers an incredible 360,000 square feet. Within all of these, and the many other rooms, you will find some of Mother Nature’s most creative work.

The Witch’s Finger, a giant stalagmite, is a corkscrew formation which is over five times the height of the average person and the Rock of Ages is truly impressive as it makes stationary rock seem to move and the numerous outcroppings of flowstone resemble a demon’s lair glowing from within.

Within the caverns you can choose self guided or staff guided tours which vary in their degree of difficulty from easy hikes around large open spaces to scaling 10 foot walls and crawling through narrow entrances into large chambers.

One particular takes you through a section of Lechuguilla Cave which, at more than one thousand six hundred feet below ground, is America’s deepest cave. The cave covers more than 112 miles as it winds through the Guadalupe Mountains.

If you are not quite so active then you can travel to the Big Room by elevator which descends 900 feet and look up and be simply captivated by this 25 story high open space. You can then walk around this 1,800 foot by 250 foot room filled with amazing rock formations. You should also visit the Temple of the Sun and view its dozens of eerily lit underground pools.

If you do want to see the bats however you will have to visit between April and September as the three hundred thousand Mexican free tailed bats who live here fly south for the winter. A short half mile walk from the entrance will take you to a plateau from which you can descend the 750 feet into the Bat Cave.

Remember too to pop on your favorite pair of Timberland hiking boots and explore the area outside the caves as there are many fascinating things to do and see. In spite of its name, hiking along Rattlesnake Springs you are more likely to come across dozens of harmless reptiles and birds than you are to see the dangerous snakes which give this place its name.

Another favorite with visitors to the area is a ride along the 10 mile scenic drive through Walnut Canyon. This drive takes you along Guadalupe Ridge and the views are simply stunning.

The Carlsbad Caverns are of course merely one of the splendid hiking areas in the United States and rank with such other great pleasures as guided hikes in Yosemite.

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