Hiking Through The Carlsbad Caverns National Park In New Mexico

Viewed from the outside the Carlsbad Caverns, which are located in New Mexico, are nothing to write home about and consist of several gray rock formations and a little scrub brush covering a not too cliff. However, step inside and this is one of the most astonishing landscapes on Earth and, with over 100 limestone caves to explore, you could wander here for years and not see the same thing twice.

If you are feint hearted then the Bat Cave is not for you as it is home to of thousands of these flying mammals. The Bifrost Room will take your breath away and, named after the Bifrost bridge into Valhalla from a Scandinavian myth, the colors here 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 amazing 360,000 square feet. Within these, and many more rooms, you will see Mother Nature at her most creative.

The Witch’s Finger, a giant stalagmite, is a corkscrew-like structure that is more than five times the the average person’s height and the Rock of Ages is even more impressive as it makes stationary rock seem to move and the numerous outcroppings of flowstone look like a demon’s lair glowing from within.

Within the Carlsbad Caverns you can opt for self guided or staff guided tours which vary in their degree of difficulty from easy walks through large open spaces to scaling 10 foot walls and crawling through narrow openings into large chambers.

One particular takes you through part of Lechuguilla Cave which, at over 1,600 feet below ground, is America’s deepest cave. This cave covers a total of more than 112 miles winding 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 to 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. Also take the time to visit the Temple of the Sun and see the dozens of eerily lit underground pools.

If you do want to see the bats though you will have to visit between April and September as the 300,000 Mexican free tailed bats who live here fly south for the winter. A half mile walk from the entrance will take you to a plateau from which you can descend the 750 feet into the Bat Cave.

And do not forget to pop on your favorite pair of Vasque hiking boots and take a look at the area outside the caves as there are many fascinating things to both see and do. Despite its name, hiking along Rattlesnake Springs you are more likely to come across dozens of birds and harmless reptiles than you are to encounter the snakes from which the place gets its name.

A final favorite with visitors is the 10 mile scenic drive through Walnut Canyon. This drive takes you along Guadalupe Ridge and the views are quite simply stunning.

Of course the Carlsbad Caverns are just one of many splendid hiking areas in the United States and rank alongside such other great pleasures as the Yellowstone hiking trails.