Is this the trail in Carlsbad NP? If so, I'd like to hike that someday too. See any wildlife? This time of year the snakes aught to be coming out of their dens. :ylsmoke:
Yes that's the one, a beutiful area; we did the Caverns and then we took the trail and did some hiking, a very easy hike may I say, furthere more the view of the cayons and the valleys is phenomenon!
Ditto that 2004 visit. We dropped in on the caverns on a budget trip that we did one week when we were about to go crazy at work. Sometimes you just need a break!
The caverns are beautiful and that part of the state is also just amazing in how desolate it can be, yet so beautiful as well.
Interesting report. I've visited the caverns (1944 and 1960) and was only recently looking at the maps of the Rattlesnake Trail area. We're intrigued about that small portion of the Chihuahuan Desert that is in NM.
My maps aren't detailed enough. Is the trail completely in the NP or does some of it extend onto BLM or NM State Lands?
Well look at this map that I took from the entrance, however we too a turn an open a gate and continue on, only govment allowed. It was a very interesting area!