*as seen in North Canton Living Magazine
I bundled in layers and securely tied my hiking boots. The trail wound between rocks disappearing into a bramble. I scrambled up the rocks to view my first pictograph. The clear blue January sky framed the North Mountain above me as I stood on the floor of the Chihuahuan Desert. I found the first pictograph under a short rock tunnel. I squatted and crawled under the rock only to find myself facing a video camera mounted in front of the pictograph with a warning sign beneath it. I backed out carefully making sure I didn’t touch any of the walls. Fortunately I was able to climb the back of the rocks and see the faded Jornada Mogollon mask on the ceiling of the tunnel. Dating more than 800 years old, these pictographs have withstood the elements.
Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site is a half hour outside of El Paso, Texas. The three mountains thrust upwards from the desert floor creating a true oasis in the desert. This igneous intrusion rock is similar to granite and holds water creating a unique biosphere. Outside of the mountains, the terrain is flat, dusty with minimal plant life. Within the rocks are pools and ponds with grass, trees and a diverse plant life. The ecosystem is fragile and the park only allows 70 visitors per day on the North Mountain while 3/4 of the park is accessed by guide only.
I did get lost on the North Mountain trails. Took a left instead of a right. I stumbled on a rock climbing/bouldering paradise. Group after group of muscled people carrying crash pads passed me with looks of bewilderment. Why do you not have a crash pad? Or water? What are you doing out here? I ambled along until I found a bench in front of another set of pictographs and rested. Other than the occasional yell or cheer, the mountains were silent; the sky blue and the art fascinating.
After checking in to the Ranger Station where I showed my ID and registered; I drove to the Nature Center and viewed a fifteen minute video. After the video, a ranger signed off a form which I drove back to the main gate. I learned that only 70 people per day were allowed on the North Mountain. The rest of the park is by guide only. Even campers, which I was, had to register daily to hike the North Mountain.
On my last day I left early for a long drive across New Mexico. I waited at the exit gate at 6:30 am for the rangers to open the gate at 7am. As I exited, more than twenty cars were waiting to enter.
What I Learned
Little shrimp live in the ponds of the park. Fragile and only found in this oasis, these tiny shrimp spend most of its life as an egg lying in the dried out ponds during the hot months. Stepping off the path is fined as it can drastically effect plant and wildlife.
The unique Jornada Mogollon people date to A.D. 1150. They left more than 200 painted mask images in the park.
Behind the nature center is a small recess cave with pictographs dating back 800 years with graffiti from the Spanish, Native Americans and more recent military with the youngest image only 100 years old.
When You Go
Bouldering in Hueco Tanks State Park is popular. Planning is necessary with the limited number of people allowed daily. For guaranteed access, consider booking a tour guide.
The most popular months are February and March and again in October and November. April through September is extremely hot and dangerous. December and January is unpredictable weather with dangerously cold temperatures at night.