Carlsbad Caverns Hike - July 2nd, 2004
Stop at a display at the entrance of the park
Behold, the Chihuahuan Desert
Donna needs her cactus impervious shoes
Still intrigued by the desert scenery
David still sporting his long drive clothing
T O U C H D O W N !
Start hiking toward the cavern's natural entrance
Old structures over the Bat Flight Handicap parking
More nice cactus near the entrance
Enter the caverns via the Bat Flight Amphitheater
The natural entrance is where the bats fly out at dusk
Looking up as we descend
Donna covers her hair from the many airborn birds
One more look out the entrance
Column in pool of water at Devils Spring
Opposite angle of Devil's Spring
Soda straws hang from the ceiling
Draperies also hang from the ceiling
Donna poses in a narrow passageway
David's turn to pose
It's not a bat in my pocket but I am glad to see you
More cool draperies on the way
Donna poses with a tall stalagmite
Donna moseys on down the trail
Low lighting hard to pick up with digital camera
Should have brought the low light video camera
Early explorers thought the rocks looked like bones
No flash works pretty good here
Another shot with available lighting . . . nice
Come back in a 100,000 years & find a column here
Donna poses in a flash aided photo
Walkway passes a column supporting a wall
Two tiger tails hang from the ceiling
Entering the Hall of Giants
Giant Dome and Twin Domes
Oh boy, I'm in Fairyland!
Thin column off to the side
Nearing Caveman Junction
Totem Pole
Another column is slowly forming
Curtain rod holds up the draperies
Natural light brings out the draperies color
Two stalagmites rise out of the darkness
Early explorers' ladder to unknown depths
Another pool of water along the path
Donna marches on in the 56 degree temperature
Mirror Lake. Flash blots out the reflection
Looking down into the Bottomless Pit
Massive Gypsum wall
The Crystal Spring Dome rests in a pool of water
Detail of same speleothem on other side
More draperies along the wall
The Rock of Ages . . .
. . . a giant pineapple, was cleft for me
More nice draperies along the wall
Soda straws on the ceiling
David plans out new office decorations
Great shot with available light
Doll House looks great with available light
Donna heads to the exit and elevators
David heads to the rest room, at a quick pace
Back on top, flag at half staff for President Reagan
Elevation Above Sea Level
Here - 4405ft, Plains Below - 3600ft, Cavern Floor - 3652ft