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Monday, February 21, 2022

Sunset - Carlsbad Caverns National Park


During our September 2021 trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, we returned to the park to watch the bat flight and caught a nice sunset while waiting. Filming the bat flight is not allowed as cameras are claimed to interfere with the bat's echolocation sense.

We also participated in the evening "Moon Hike" ranger talk. After meeting at the visitor center entrance, we all drove down the entrance road 1.5 miles to a pullout on the right. After distributing red-lensed flashlights, the two rangers led us 0.4 miles down a gravel road with stops along the way to read stories that I don't recall about the moon. The rangers did a good job of answering questions from the group. Overall, the walk took about an hour. 

El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak

Full moon

Clouds on the horizon

Visitor center with Venus overhead

Some of the last rays of sunlight

Entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park is free for all surface activities. An entry fee of $15 per person is valid for three consecutive days to enter the cavern, but visitors must also have a valid reservation (available at recreation.gov). Other fee payment options for up to four people include the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes including the Annual Pass ($80), Senior Pass ($80 for a lifetime), Access Pass (free with a documented disability), Fourth Grade Pass (free with documentation) and Military Annual Pass (free for active-duty personnel). Ranger-led underground tours have additional fees.

The Carlsbad Caverns  National Park website is https://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm.

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