27 March 2018
It was supposed to be a recovery day, but in searching for something easy to do, I decided to revisit Carlsbad Caverns. I originally visited Carlsbad either in 1971 or 1972 while stationed on board the CGC Reliance in Corpus Christi. I was simply driving around during a period of leave and happened upon the park just in time for the bat flight. That in itself was amazing, but later when saw photos in National Geographic of the big room, I was surprised to see a full service restaurant at the bottom (it’s no longer there – just sandwich concessions).
I remember reading somewhere (National Geographic?) that there is a theory that Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is connected to Carlsbad Caverns via subterranean passages.
I figured this would be an easy, leisurely stroll through the mostly flat trails. Wrong! The elevator was out of service and the only way into the caverns was by a 1.25 mile descent of over 700 feet – the equivalent of a 79 story building (oh my aching knees). Of course, that meant 1.25 miles back out of the caverns, all uphill.
I decided in for a penny, in for a pound and walked the 1.25 mile Big Room Trail. All in all that was a 3.75 mile trip. Again, it was the downhill that was the worse. Once at the bottom, the trail flattened out.
The trails are all completely paved with rubberized material, so it’s easy on which to walk. Every so often, the park service carved out benches for people to rest on the way back up, but some of the downhill travelers availed themselves of the seats also.
Carlsbad Caverns is fascinating and very well maintained. There were park rangers all over the place and everyone walking the cave were very respectful not to touch formations.
Goji fruit is very rich in vitamin B as well as in anti-oxidant that is very much needed to increase efficiency of people while working. look what i found cialis 40 mg Although reported to be successful by some men, the risks of pharmacy on line viagra further complications are quite high. A good number of treatments are available for male erectile dysfunction? cialis best buy The treatment for ED depends upon the severity of the problem. There is a dark side canadian generic cialis to this.
Parents cautioned their kids about needing to whisper so as to not disturb people and for the most part, they did.
After the tour of the Big Room, I decided on a sandwich for lunch washed down by a gatorade. I didn’t want a repeat of the chills. A young couple from Connecticut joined me at the table for lunch. They were planning on hiking Guadeloupe Peak tomorrow so I told them a few things to look out for and to prepare for. They were appreciative. We then began a discussion of favorite National Parks (hers was Zion, mine was Glacier or Big Bend). That got us into a discussion on Big Bend and other hikes. They left for the King’s Chamber tour and I headed back out to daylight.
I was amazed at the number of people who insisted on walking down and back out. It included all ages and all physical abilities. I’m not sure the cautions the park rangers gave them at the beginning of the tour sunk in until they were about half way into the cavern.
The trails were very crowded but everyone tried to make way for anyone on the uphill climb. As a rule, hikers give way to anyone hiking uphill. You politely stand aside if you are descending and allow the uphill traffic to pass you. Surprisingly, everyone seemed to follow this intuitively.
I made it back to the surface around 1:30 pm, so the whole trip took me around 3 1/2 hours. I surprised myself by making the uphill climb fairly easily and quickly. The hike into and out of the caverns are considered strenuous and I would agree. The incline can be pretty severe at times.
That gave me enough time to stop at the Walmart in Carlsbad and buy laundry detergent and wash clothes at the hotel. I’m now all clean again and ready to head out tomorrow to Saguaro National Park near Tucson. I’ll be camping out there at a close by state park since there are no campgrounds other than wilderness campgrounds sans water in Saguaro.
