My husband and I were dismayed to learn that the elevator at Carlsbad Caverns is not working until May 31st, and are trying to decide whether we are likely to be able to walk down into the caverns and back up. We are in our mid-to-late 60's, in average physical condition for our age, but I do have some foot and knee problems. We can walk long distances on flat surfaces (we did up to 8-11 miles a day in Paris last May) but I have some difficulty with steep inclines/declines.

Descriptions of the walk down into the cave and back up would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I was there years ago and from what I remember the entrance trail you'd have to use if the lifts are out is awfully steep. Steep up is bad enough, but steep up can actually be worse IME.

We walked in/down last year but took the elevator out.

I am concerned that IF you make it down; that you will have a difficult time on the way up.

It took us about an hour to get down. There are some declines that were "level" surface but there were also stairs.

There was a sign that said that if you were walking out that you had to leave by a certain time to allow for the climb out...it might have been 90 minutes before closing.

Seriously consider this situation.

This might be worth watching, the descent starts at about the 10 minute mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA1vOe4iJNA

OOPS -- meant to post >>but steep DOWN can actually be worse IME.

I took my parents to Carlsbad last April who were are in their mid 60's and early 70's. I wasn't sure what to expect and we did ok however the elevators were working. We once went up and down using the elevator and once we walked down and they refused to walk back out so we took the elevator. My mom says her legs get stiff so as she ages, she slows down more each trip. We both walked slowly down so I could take pictures and look around while my dad raced down. He said there was no way he'd walk back out and wouldn't have walked down if he knew just how far he had to go. They weren't overly exhausted but not something they would repeat. They do not exercise and my dad has had some health issues in the past due to medical treatments. They were tired but not so overly exhausted to then drive to Santa Fe.