We met the ranger at the Carlsbad Caverns visitor center,
where we were given instructions/guidelines and equipment: gloves and a helmet
with a headlamp (you are responsible for providing 3 AA batteries for the
headlamp). We then caravanned 20 miles to the trailhead (the last mile is
unpaved).
The hike up to the cave entrance is a strenuous ½ mile trek
up the mountainside with a 500’ change in elevation. Plus, it was 100 degrees
as 9:00 in the morning. One of the members of our party, Rusty, suffered heat
exhaustion halfway up and needed to be assisted back down. The rest of us
rested in the shade at the mouth of the cave until the rangers returned.
Inside the cave, there are no paved paths, but you must stay
between the red-taped lines to preserve the delicate cave formations. The floor
of the cave is muddy, steep, and slippery. In two places we had to use knotted
ropes to descend 15’ slopes (and then had to go back up on the way out). The
cave is not lit, so the only light is the light from your headlamp. Twice, the
rangers had us turn off our headlamps to experience the utter darkness and
silence of the cave. While our lights were out, one of the rangers told us
stories about the cave.
One of the stories was about how the cave got its name. The
ranger proceeded to tell us a long story about the struggle between the cowboys
and Indians. He was really dramatic, and had us all rapt with his tale. Then he
told us that that’s really not how the cave got its name. There was a family
with the last name of Slaughter that had a ranch in the canyon. One day, during
a thunderstorm, the rancher had to leave some goats in the valley to take
refuge from the storm. The next day, he heard the sounds of the goat coming up
from an entrance of the cave. That’s how the cave was discovered.
We met another couple on the tour, Jackie and Josh, who were
staying a couple of spaces away from us at Brantley Lake. We had dinner with
them and really enjoyed their company. They are in the process of traveling
from Massachusetts to Oregon on a motorcycle, pulling a small trailer containing
their worldly belongings.
A view of the canyon from the mouth of the cave.
Our tour group. Jackie and Josh are the one's standing up with teal shirts.
Descending into the cave.
Mike going down the first slippery slope.
This formation is called The Clansman, but they are looking for another, more politically correct, name. Suggestions were The Ghoul and The Dementor.
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