Carlsbad Caverns National Park

One of the reasons that we wanted to come to this area of New Mexico was to go to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. We had come to the park back in March of 2016 (http://trekincartwrights.blogspot.com/2016/03/visit-to-carlsbad-caverns-national-park.html) but did not visit the caverns because the elevator was out of service, and we weren't sure we would physically be able to walk back out. This year, we had heard differing reports - that the elevator was working, or that it was not... but we feel healthier now and thought we would make the attempt to visit, even if it meant hiking both in and out.

We decided to walk down the "Natural Entrance", and decide whether we wanted to walk back up or take the elevator after touring within the cave. Along the walk to the entrance, there were pretty desert flowers...

We decided not to pay for a ranger led tour, but we did get the audio tour (I'm listening to one of the segments as Dwayne takes my picture next to an ocotillo).

The path down goes down 750 feet, in about a mile and a half distance, I think - 75 stories - I think they said 60 switchbacks...

Looking back up at the natural entrance. There were swallows flying in and out while we were coming in. At dusk, there is a huge colony of bats that fly out in spring through fall. We didn't stay around to see them...

It was quite comfortable inside the cavern - even chilly at times. I had brought a sweater and Dwayne brought a jacket, and we each had our camera vests on which are great for carrying extra "stuff".

This map was at the point where the visitors from the natural entrance join up where the elevator arrivals come down... so we had already walked down the part along the left side to the "you are here" dot! It was beautiful coming down!

The pictures following are from Dwayne's camera... and I don't exactly know whether they were from the part coming down or the "Big Room Route". None of our pictures illustrate how beautiful it was... but his camera did the best!

The elevator was working, so we took it back up to the surface rather than continuing our walk. By the time we got back to the car... we were very glad to sit down for a while! 

Some final pictures from outside the Visitor's Center....

Another ocotillo and the US flag beyond it

Looking southeast...

Looking south toward the Guadeloupe Mountains

Since we did not take the ranger-led tour, I can't comment on it (though we encountered some school kids on a ranger-led tour and heard some of what the ranger was sharing with them as we passed by). We thoroughly enjoyed the audio tour and being able to go at our own pace.