Park News Carlsbad Caverns & National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Guadalupe Mountains National Parks Visitor Guide Fall/Winter 2007-8 DiscoveringDiscovering LechuguillaLechuguilla CaveCave by Stan Allison Selenite chandeliers in the Chandelier Ballroom (Lechuguilla Cave) Photo by Gavin Newman IN THIS MODERN AGE OF SATELLITE soon abandoned. All that the guano miners Lechuguilla Cave 120 miles of cave has been images, remote sensing and Google Earth it left was a guano hopper for filtering rocks surveyed making it the fifth longest cave in America the Beautiful— can be difficult to imagine discovering new out of the guano and a small test pit. The the world. Winds more than 60 miles per The National Parks & places on our planet earth. Yet here at Carls- extent of Lechuguilla Cave was known to be hour have been recorded near the entrance, Federal Recreational bad Caverns National Park, cave explorers about 500 feet long with a 50-foot deep en- indicating that much more cave remains to are still discovering unknown passages and trance pit. Those early guano miners surely be found. Lechuguilla Cave is 1,604 feet deep Lands Pass rooms that no satellite or other remote sens- must have noticed the strong winds issuing making it the deepest limestone cave in the ing technology can detect in a special place from between the rocks, guano and dirt that United States. Although Lechuguilla Cave called Lechuguilla Cave. Lechuguilla Cave filled the bottom of the entrance pit. Per- is longer and deeper than Carlsbad Cavern, is the longest of the 113 known caves in the haps as they took a break from their work the Big Room still remains the largest room park. Imagine the excitement and awe we they wondered where all of that airflow was in any cave in the U.S. Lechuguilla is the lon- would experience if a new geyser was dis- coming from. Certainly cave explorers visit- gest of the 113 known caves in Carlsbad Cav- covered in Yellowstone National Park that ing the cave in later years noticed the tre- erns National Park. An average of 2-3 miles was larger than any of the previously known mendous airflow and wondered about the of previously unknown cave is explored and geysers. What if Mesa Verde National Park amount of cave that must exist on the other surveyed every year in Lechuguilla Cave. In revealed the recent discovery of a cliff side of the fill. fact, as you are reading this article it is quite Your Annual Pass provides you with a full dwelling larger than any previously known possible that someone is taking the first steps year of enjoyment at America’s beautiful containing artifacts that had never been seen into a previously unknown passage. In 1984, cavers under National Park Service lakes, rivers and seashores, wildlife refuges, anywhere else? As unrealistic as these sce- (NPS) supervision initiated a digging project outstanding cultural and historic sites, and narios are for the above ground portions of in Lechuguilla Cave to find the source of the Lechuguilla contains one of the world’s larg- some of the world’s most magnificent for- national parks, this is exactly what has been air. On Memorial Day weekend 1986, after est known displays of selenite chandeliers ests, parks and monuments. occurring below the surface of Carlsbad digging through rubble, dust and wind for in a room called the Chandelier Ballroom. Caverns National Park for the past 21 years 40 feet, a breakthrough was made into large Lechguilla Cave was the first cave in the The Annual Pass covers Entrance Fees or in a wonderful place called Lechuguilla unexplored passages that just kept going and world where cave formations called helic- Standard Amenity Fees (campground fees Cave. going. Those first explorers were excited, tites, previously known to only form above are not covered) managed by the National but even in their wildest dreams they prob- water were found growing under water. Park Service, United States Forest Service, In 1914, Lechuguilla Cave was first docu- ably didn’t imagine the miles of cave pas- Large deposits of canary yellow, elemental the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclama- mented as a bat guano mining claim. Guano sages, unique formations and microbes that sulfur occur in Lechuguilla that smell like tion. For more details see page 5 inside. was mined for use as a nitrogen-rich fertil- would be found. firecrackers. Lechuguilla Cave contains mas- izer for California orchards. Guano mining sive gypsum cave deposits on a scale never proved unprofitable at this location and was After 21 years of discovery and research in ...continued on pg. 3 Pages 4-5 Page 6 Page 8 Cave Tours Hiking Trails Fall Colors Info Contact Information 2 Renovations Contine 3 Cave Tours 4-5 Hiking the Guadalupes 6 The Cat With Many Names 7 Area Attractions 8 NPS Photo/Peter Jones Photo/Peter NPS NPS Photo/Doug Buehler Photo/Doug NPS NPS Photo /Michael Haynie /Michael Photo NPS Greetings WELCOME TO CARLSBAD CAVERNS AND GUADALUPE MOUN- ous mountain hikes, including an 8.4 mile roundtrip hike to Texas’ tains National Parks. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a World highest mountain, Guadalupe Peak (8,749'). Heritage Site since 1995, features a spectacular cave system of highly decorated chambers. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects As you travel and spend time in the area please remember to keep one of the world’s best examples of a fossilized reef. Both parks are safety in mind. Road conditions may be icy. Deer and other wildlife Telephone and located within the Chihuahuan Desert, a fascinating place to explore are plentiful—enjoy watching wildlife, but remember they often Web Directory desert life. move across roads, especially in the evenings; be vigilant while driv- ing during twilight hours. Hikers should be prepared for rapidly Official National Park Service sites include Fall and Winter bring their own special rewards. From late-October changing weather conditions. Hikers can become dehydrated in our .gov in their web address. to early-November the colorful changes in maples, ash, and sumac dry climate, so carry plenty of water (one gallon per person per day delight thousands of visitors to Guadalupe Mountains National is recommended). Always check with a ranger before venturing into Carlsbad Caverns National Park Park. At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the summertime crowds the backcountry. 3225 National Parks Highway Carlsbad, NM 88220 are gone and the cave can be experienced in its natural state of quiet. 575-785-2232 Both parks offer hiking opportunities. Rare winter snows are short- We are wholeheartedly committed to our mission of preserving and www.nps.gov/cave lived events and can only add to the beauty of these natural areas. providing for the enjoyment of our nation’s most outstanding trea- sures. We wish you a rewarding experience in every way. Guadalupe Mountains National Park Park staff are here to help make your visit a truly memorable event. 400 Pine Canyon They will be happy to help you plan your visit and provide informa- Sincerely, Salt Flat, TX 79847 tion. Guided tours at Carlsbad Caverns can enrich your park experi- 915-828-3251 ence. These tours offer a variety of caving experiences, from easy www.nps.gov/gumo lantern tours to challenging trips involving crawling and squeezing through tight passages. Carlsbad Caverns John C. Benjamin John V. Lujan Guadalupe Mountains Association Guadalupe Mountains National Park has over 80 miles of hiking Superintendent Superintendent Operates both parks’ bookstores. Books may also be purchased by mail or online. trails to explore, ranging from wheelchair accessible paths to strenu- Carlsbad Caverns NP Guadalupe Mts. NP P.O. Box 1417 Carlsbad, NM 88221 575-785-2486 575-785-2318 FAX Volunteerism Makes a Difference www.ccgma.org WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE TO Carlsbad Caverns National Park the dedicated effort and talent that volunteers have brought to Carls- Dave Thomas Food, Lodging and bad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks. Volunteers 575-785-3097 Camping play a vital role in fulfilling our mission of preserving our natural and cultural heritage and sharing that heritage with the visiting public. Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Volunteers do everything from staffing the information desk, roving Guadalupe Mountains National Park 575-887-6516 interpretation, patrolling surface and cave trails, to trail mainte- Dave Bieri www.carlsbadchamber.com nance, research, cave restoration, and more. To become a volunteer 915-828-3251 ext. 112 contact: Van Horn Texas Visitors Bureau 915-283-2682 www.vanhornadvocate.com/community- adl.shtml Junior and Senior Ranger Programs MANY NATIONAL PARKS ACROSS AMERICA OFFER A JUNIOR stories and poems. Each activity in the booklet is an optional activity Weather Conditions Ranger program for children to encourage interest in their national depending on interest and age-level. Once the booklet is checked by Carlsbad Weather Watch parks and to promote a sense of stewardship and ownership for a park ranger, the participant is presented a Carlsbad Caverns Na- 575-885-1848 these special places that they come to visit. This self-paced educa- tional Park Junior Ranger patch. tional program allows children to earn a patch and/or certificate Road Conditions upon completion of required activities that teach them about park The Junior Ranger booklet is available through the Carlsbad Cav- New Mexico: 800-432-4269 resources. Age appropriate activities are included in the Junior erns Guadalupe Mountains Association bookstore, located in the Texas: 800-452-9292 Ranger booklet, typically for pre-kindergarten through upper el- visitor center at the park. There is a charge of $1.00 to participate ementary-aged children.