Carlsbad Caverns National Park

A call went out for Mr. Spock and he has responded! He left his work in the lab and drove 100 miles south of Bottomless Lake to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a New Mexico geo-site.

The Caverns are 7-miles off the highway and we drove off the flatlands/desert up into the Guadalupe Mountains.

The approach to...

the Visitor Center.

We opted to take the 2-mile subterranean walk from the Natural Entrance cave mouth, instead of the elevator that drops the height of the Empire State Building in under a minute.

Approaching the...

cave mouth.

Entering the "twilight area" where there is still some daylight before the complete darkness swallowed us up! 

Mr. Spock enjoyed the hike down and seeing the beginning of the formations. It was a spectacular series of switch-backs at a 20% grade - for almost the entire two miles.

We eventually found ourselves in the Big Room and followed the 1-mile+ self-guiding path through these spectacular formations.

The Big Room is an underground chamber 1800ft long 255ft high and over 800ft below the surface.

Amazing sights!

Crystal Spring Dome is still forming from tiny drops of water. Most of the other domes are not growing.

We are wearing our jackets because the temperature underground is a constant 56 F, with 90% humidity.

I think this area was called "Fairyland".

By the "Totem Pole".

When we went by this spot some cavers were taking some measurements.

Part of the "Boneyard" where there has not been much moisture.

At the end of the trail we did take the elevator to the surface.

On the drive back, we passed some pecan orchards. The pecan trees are surprisingly tall!

There is also a fair amount of drilling in this southeastern section of the state - very near the Texas border.

Today's hike:

Length - 2.85 miles (underground)

Duration - 1 hour, 56 minutes

Elevation gain - 190 feet. (25 floors on the Fitbit)