Hueco Tanks State Park, El Paso, Texas

Hueco Tanks State Park is 35 miles east of El Paso, Tx.  These are the low mountains between the Franklin and Heuco Mountains.  A hueco is a hole. There are lots of them in the intrusive igneous syenite rock.  People long ago made tanks, places to store the rainwater that accumulated in the huecos.

People have come to these rock formations, now named North, East Spur, East, and West mountains, for 10,000 years knowing what season there would be water, plants, and animals, all vital for survival in the Chihuahua desert. The desert stopped building up “soil” about 1,100 so the evidence of more recent people is barely below the surface or carved and painted on/into the rocks.

 

It is the only place in the region where every prehistoric and historic time period is represented. The land was given to the state of Texas in 1969.  A lot of the artifacts were removed, and much destruction of the petroglyphs happened before is became a protected environment by the Antiquities Code of Texas.

There have been trails through the mountains to water and salt since people came here.  These were later shared with military and civilian travelers since 1692 when the Spanish arrived in the area.  There was a Butterfield Stagecoach stop here for a short while.  This overland mail and people carrier went between St. Louis and San Francisco.

Mr. Escontrias, in 1898 bought most of the ranch that was formed in this area in 1895, all 3 sections of it.  That’s over 1,200 acres. They built the adobe farmhouse now used as the Interpretive Center at the park and a two other building, probably made from the rock that was the Butterfield Overland Mail Company’s stagecoach stop.  The ranch was sold in 1956. Several owners tried to develop it as a tourist area, which probably contributed to further damage by visitors.  Finally, the local archeologist and historians, helped by University of Texas faculty were successful in having the county purchase the property and convey it to the State of Texas.

While there are 20 campsites with water and electric, the Park is mainly a day trip destination.  One must have a permit, and reservations are encouraged, to do the trails on the North Mountain area. Only 70 people are allowed in the North Mountain area at a time. The rest of the park is only accessible with a Park Ranger guided tour.  These tours are limited to 10-25 people. 

My first night here, about sun set, I heard noise on the mountain near my tent.  I went outside and what to my wondering ear should I hear?  The prancing and running of sheep on the rocks above me.