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32° 24' 31.2084'' N 104° 13' 51.528'' W

Aaron McHugh| 2 minute read

Trip Report: 75 stories Underground in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Description: In 1901, eighteen-year-old cowboy James Larkin White witnessed a moving black cloud over the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico. Brazilian free-tailed bats were feeding at dawn and dusk, swirling above one of the most spectacular caverns and underground wonder. Today, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is accessible by walking 1.25 miles down a long steep ramp, winding into the cavern’s mouth. Carlsbad is the largest easily accessible cave chamber in North America. Backcountry caves are also accessible for the adventurous, requiring permits and technical caving equipment.

Length: One to two days

The rewards: Our spring break father-son party explored both the famous main cavern and one backcountry cave, which I can’t recommend. Our teenage boys didn’t find the experience of bushwhacking through cactus and up tangled desert trails rewarding. After rappelling into the slit access, we opted for a retreat.

Season: Spring, Fall, Winter

Keep going-

Aaron

The main entrance into Carlsbad Caverns. Smooth walking trail of 1.2 miles descending into the main caverns.
Our boys after being dejected from our backcountry (non-tourist route) spelunking adventure at Carlsbad Caverns.
The mighty great room Carlsbad Caverns.
Adventure Carlsbad Caverns picking our way back to the car after aborting our spelunking descent into the abyss.
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About the Author Aaron McHugh

Aaron McHugh is an executive transformation coach, enterprise agility consultant, writer, podcaster, adventurer, and author of Fire Your Boss: Discover Work You Love Without Quitting Your Job.

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