National Park Service Park News Carlsbad Caverns & U.S. Department of the Interior Guadalupe Mountains National Parks Fall/Winter 2009-10 VisitorVisitor GuideGuide “If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it.” —President Lyndon B. Johnson NPS Photo /Dave Bieri /Dave Photo NPS The Wild Side of the Guadalupes by Sharon Collyer “Look,” the party chief explained, “you need their use of asphalt. Granted, the Guadal- tracts of land encompassing swollen frigid System is to give it the highest level of federal this road.” upe’s complex geological profile, a massive rivers and forbidding glaciated peaks, such conservation protection; only Congress can “Who needs it,” I said. “We get very few tour- Permian-era limestone reef eroding away as the 9,078,675-acre Wrangell-Saint Elias designate wilderness or change the status of ists in this park.” into a rugged landscape of craggy cliff faces, Wilderness in Alaska, or simply a narrow wilderness areas. Only undeveloped Federal “That’s why you need it,” the engineer ex- jagged ridgelines and serpentine canyons, flyway along an unmarred coastline where lands without permanent improvements or plained patiently. “Look,” he said, “when this was once, in itself, a formidable obstacle to millions of seabirds nest and perch among human habitation, that are affected primarily is built you’ll get ten, twenty, thirty times as vehicular exploration. But as anybody who exposed reefs and miniature islands, such by the forces of nature, that offer opportuni- many tourists in here as you get now.” has driven in Sequoia, Zion, the Everglades as the tiny 5-acre Rocks and Islands Wilder- ties for solitude and primitive recreation, …He stared at me intently, waiting to see or Big Bend knows, when the Park Service ness in Northern California. Wilderness and that are of a sufficient size to be practical what possible answer I could have to that. has a will, it surely finds a way to build a areas represent almost every single exist- in their preservation are considered. The …I had an answer all right, but I was saving road anywhere it needs to: to the bottoms of ing ecosystem in the United States: prairie laws that govern wilderness areas do not it for later. I knew that I was dealing with a canyons, to the tops of mountains, through grasslands, coral reefs, desert springs, man- allow motorized equipment, motor vehicles, madman. the harshest deserts and over the spongi- grove forests, alpine tundra, sand dunes… mechanical transport, permanent structures, From Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey est marshes. Nevertheless, the Guadalupe the list is long and varied. Wilderness areas commercial enterprises…or roads. Mountains’ lack of roads has little to do also protect little thought of and often taken NO, WE DO N ’T HAVE A SCE N IC DRIVE THROUGH with road technology; it has, however, ev- for granted aspects of untrammeled nature, A place that is designated a wilderness area the Park. And no, we don’t have a road to the erything to do with the National Wilderness such as clean air, night sky, viewsheds, soli- is certainly not off limits to people. In the top of Guadalupe Peak. We don’t even have Preservation System. tude, and silence. From bristlecone pines to Guadalupe Mountains’ wilderness area, a tour bus that will take you to Pratt Cabin, bison habitat, wilderness areas guarantee visitors are encouraged to recreate and enjoy and there is no direct route to Dog Canyon In November of 1978 over half the Park that threatened and endangered species the wilderness experience in ways that best from Pine Springs…unless you walk the —46,850 acres, to be exact—was congres- stand a chance against the encroaching wave suit their abilities. Many people opt to hike entire length of the Tejas Trail, a grueling sionally designated as one of America’s of humanity. or camp in the Park’s backcountry, but for but beautiful 11.7 mile long path of endless protected wilderness areas in our country’s less mobile people, wildlife viewing, photog- ups and downs. In fact, Guadalupe Moun- National Wilderness Preservation System. Even though the National Park System pre- raphy, star gazing, drawing, or spending the tains National Park’s 82-mile trail system is Today, 756 designated wilderness areas serves and protects resources, the wild and afternoon lounging on a rock under a shady about five times as lengthy as the amount of protect 109,478,939 acres in 44 states, and undeveloped areas of national parks are still tree are great ways to immerse oneself in the roadway we offer visitors. For an 86,416 acre are managed by the National Park Service, susceptible to development, road-building, quiet and solitude that the mountains and National Park with such striking terrain and the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land and off-road mechanized vehicular use. To canyons of the Guadalupes offer. Although so much recreational potential, it seems that Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife designate an area of a National Park as part most of our Park visitors are simply driving Park managers have been very stingy with Service. Wilderness areas can be enormous of the National Wilderness Preservation continued on p. 7 Pages 4-5 Page 6 Page 8 Inside Cave Tours Hiking Info Fall Colors Info Contact Information 2 Backcountry Beauty 3 Cave Tours 4-5 Hiking the Guadalupes 6 Area Attractions 8 NPS Photo/Peter Jones Photo/Peter NPS NPS Photo /Dave Bieri /Dave Photo NPS Haynie Photo/Michael 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 Telephone and 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 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 3225 National Parks Highway the backcountry. 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 Dr. 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 Operates both parks’ bookstores. Books Superintendent Superintendent 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 575-785-2484 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- Rachel Zimmer Food, Lodging and bad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks. Volunteers 575-785-3130 Camping play a vital role in fulfilling our mission of preserving our natural and cultural heritage and sharing that heritage with the visiting public. Guadalupe Mountains National Park Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Volunteers do everything from staffing the information desk, roving Craig Tanner 575-887-6516 interpretation, patrolling surface and cave trails, to trail mainte- 915-828-3251 ext. 112 www.carlsbadchamber.com nance, research, cave restoration, and more. To become a volunteer contact: Van Horn Texas Visitors Bureau 432-283-2682 www.vanhornadvocate.com/community- adl.shtml Junior and Senior Ranger Programs MANY NATIONAL PARKS ACROSS AMERICA OFFER A JUNIOR visitor center at the park. There is a charge of $1.00 to participate Weather Conditions Ranger program for children to encourage interest in their national in the program, which includes the booklet and patch (given upon Carlsbad Weather Watch parks and to promote a sense of stewardship and ownership for completion of the activities).