Feb 23, 2018 — The Middle Slaughter Canyon Trail does not go to the cave, which requires a permit and reservation from Carlsbad Caverns National Park to enter. Slaughter Canyon goes just below the cave, and heads up through a wide and pretty canyon until a ridge takes you up above the north and south forks of Slaughter Canyon before leading through hilly meadows above the canyon head. I was looking for the official junction with the Guadalupe Ridge Trail, but it seems the Middle Slaughter Canyon Trail has changed since it was tracked, since I sort of wasn't on the "official" trail (see map) toward the end. Anyway, nice views at the top with no real destination. As a side hike, you can head up North Slaughter Canyon, which just follows the wash and has some nice white slickrock potholes. you can pick this up just before going up the ridge.
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