El Malpais National Monument caving · Caving in El Malpais National Monument
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Caving in El Malpais National Monument
Caving in El Malpais National Monument
Warning: Always bring multiple independent light sources and wear sturdy hiking boots when exploring a cave!
Caves created from ancient lava tubes are found throughout the park, with some cave systems extending as far as seventeen miles. Several caves require permits for entry; check with rangers for current regulations. When caving, assume that your light source could break or be lost while exploring, and bring at least one (and preferably two) backup light sources. In addition, be aware that the cave floors are uneven, littered with boulders, and often wet, making sturdy shoes a necessity.
Junction Cave. Located just off of NM 53 east of the visitor center, this cave entry is a short walk from the parking area. The cave itself extends about one mile and makes a great introduction to caving for those wanting to explore.
Four Windows Cave. Located in the park's backcountry off of County Road 42, Four Windows Cave was named for the four openings near its entrance. Travel within this cave is relatively easy due to a fairly smooth floor, and gypsum and calcium formations combine with seasonal ice stalagmites to provide interesting sights along the way.
Big Skylight Cave. Located in the park's backcountry off of County Road 42, this cave was named for its large entrance. The floor of this cave is covered with a considerable amount of rubble that has fallen from its ceiling, making footing extremely uneven.
Braided Cave.
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El Malpais National Monument Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.