Foote Loose Visits Carlsbad Caverns AI is NOT used in this video

You will journey underground. Your encounter with Carlsbad Caverns National Park begins in the Guadalupe Mountains. Beyond familiar surroundings of rugged mountains and broad plains is another world. Away from sunlight, away from flowering cactus, away from songs of the desert birds and the howl of the coyote lies the celebrated underground world of Carlsbad Caverns. Over 1000 years ago Native Americans ventured into the entrance of Carlsbad Caverns. They left no record of entering the dark zone of the cave, but they did leave mysterious drawings on cave walls near the natural entrance. In the 1800s settlers drawn by the spectacle of hundreds of thousands of bats rising out of the natural entrance in the evening discovered the caverns In 1923 the US Department of the Interior sent inspector Robert Holly to see whether Carlsbad Caverns was truly an outstanding natural scenic wonder. Mr. Holly was awestruck by the immenseness and beauty of the cave. Later that year Carlsbad caverns was proclaimed a national monument. In 1930 Congress created Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Carlsbad Caverns became a World Heritage Site in 1995. When visiting Carlsbad Caverns you can choose from three main cave tour options depending on your time, interest, and physical ability. Two tours are self-guiding the 3rd is ranger guided. Your first stop should be the visitor center information desk to learn more about cave tours and to purchase tickets. Be sure to ask about the self-guided audio tour. All trails in the cave are paved and well lit. wear comfortable, closed toe shoes with rubber soles for maximum safety and traction. The Cave temperature varies little from the 56f/13c, making a sweater or light jacket appropriate year around. Strollers are not allowed in any underground cave areas, but infant backpacks are permitted on self-guiding tours. Carlsbad Caverns is open daily except Thanksgiving, December 25th, and January 1st. . For current hours contact the park or visit the Carlsbad Caverns ‘website. The natural entrance route is a self-guiding 1 ¼ mile tour following the traditional explorer’s route. The route descends over 750 feet into the earth, following steep and narrow trails. The evening flights of bats of Carlsbad Cavern is a natural phenomenon. There is a mass exodus at, dusk, when thousands of Brazilian free-tail bats fly from the cave to feast on insects. You can view this FREE of charge from the outdoor amphitheater at the cave’s natural entrance. A park ranges gives a short talk on bats. Bat flights occur only from early spring through October. The King’s palace tour, for an additional fee, is a 1 ½ hour, ranger guided tour. You depart from the underground rest area inside the cave. The tour descends to the deepest portion of the cavern with paved trails 830 feet beneath the desert surface. Although not as difficult as the natural entrance route, this one-mile tour requires you to descend and later climb an 8 story high hill. You’ll view a wide range of cave formations rarely seen by the majority of the public. Slaughter Canyon Cave Ranger-guided tours, which is an additional fee. Takes you into an underground wilderness without electricity, paved walkways, or modern conveniences. Only tour members headlamps penetrate the darkness. You must hike a strenuous half mile trail to the cave entrance. Sturdy walking shoes and water are required. Tours are given year round. A few highlights, which few have seen, include the crystal decorated Christmas tree column and the Chinese wall. A delicate ankle high rim stone dam. Reservations are recommended, contact Carlsbad Caverns or visit the park website. Carlsbad Caverns nps.gov/cave National Park Service www.nps.gov Complete list of National Parks units and related areas www.nps.gov/aboutus/national-park-system.htm All Park Passes www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes Senior Lifetime Pass $80.00 www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm/index.htm#senior-passes All park type reservations www.recreation.gov Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Among the Clouds - Helmut Schenker Thumbnail designed using Canva https://www.canva.com/ #carlsbadcaverrns #GuadalupeMountains #worldheritagesite #senior #nationalpark #newmexico