Why is it called Hueco Tanks?
Weathering and erosion exposed and sculpted the present rock masses which, as a result, are heavily fractured and recessed with hollows that trap and contain water, attracting ani- mals and humans. These hollows are called “huecos” in Spanish, hence the name Hueco Tanks.
Why is Hueco Tanks important?
Throughout the last 10,000 years, Hueco Tanks has provided water, food and shelter to travelers in the Chihuahuan Desert. They gathered wild plants for use as food, fiber and medicine. Hueco Tanks provided these items as well as water in an arid landscape.
Is Hueco Tanks open to the public?
You can only access West Mountain, East Mountain and East Spur with a tour guide. Request tours for Wednesdays through Sundays throughout the year by calling (915) 849-6684 before your visit. Due to staff time constraints, we can only give tours if requested early enough to confirm a guide.
How old is Hueco Tanks?
Geology and Soils. Hueco Tanks is a laccolith-like (domed) igneous intrusion composed of porphyritic syenite, and was formed 35 million years ago. Between 30 and 24 million years ago, faulting formed the basin and range topography that characterizes the region today.
What animals are in Hueco Tanks?
Animals. Hueco Tanks State Park is home to a much wider variety of animal species than the surrounding desert. We see carnivores such as bobcat, gray fox, coyote, javelina, badger, ringtail, skunk, raccoon and mountain lion (or their tracks) regularly.
How old are the pictographs in Hueco Tanks?
These were created between 6000 and 3000 B.C. Between 3000 BC and 450 A.D., pictures of animals and humans were drawn on the rocks. Most of the pictographs at Hueco Tanks are of Jornada Mogollon origin. The drawings may have been used in praying for rain.
Can dogs go to Hueco Tanks?
Return visitors must watch the video once a year. Pets: Pets are not allowed on any gravel trails or mountains. Day-use visitors’ pets are only allowed on the paved picnic area trail and a short portion of the roadway. Pets must be on a leash.
Who owns Hueco Ranch?
Rob Rice
But the Hueco Rock Ranch is still bustling as owner Rob Rice catches up with old friends.
What county is Hueco Tanks in?
El Paso County, Texas
Hueco Tanks is an area of low mountains in El Paso County, Texas, and is located in a high-altitude desert basin between the Franklin Mountains to the west and the Hueco Mountains to the east.
What type of rock is in Hueco Tanks?
igneous rock
The rock we see at Hueco Tanks formed beneath the earth’s surface 34 million years ago, as magma pushed up into an older limestone formation and then cooled. Over millennia, weathering processes eroded the overlying limestone and sculpted the now-exposed igneous rock into its present form.
Is there water in Hueco Tanks?
Life-giving rainwater Water comes to Hueco Tanks in a variety of ways. Runoff from the Hueco Mountains flows through arroyos on either side of the park. Within the park, cracks in the igneous rock capture rainwater and channel it downward. The huecos hold water for several days to several months.
Do you need a reservation for Hueco Tanks?
Rangers and volunteers lead pictograph, hiking, birding and rock climbing tours. Advance reservations are required. Tours are $2 per person, age 5 and up, with paid entry to the park. Visit our Activities page for more information.
What is the history of the Hueco Tanks?
Hueco Tanks is a laccolith-like (domed) igneous intrusion composed of porphyritic syenite, and was formed 35 million years ago. Between 30 and 24 million years ago, faulting formed the basin and range topography that characterizes the region today.
Where are the Hueco Tanks State Park?
Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site is located in the southeast part of the Basin and Range physiographic province which is characterized by isolated, nearly parallel mountain ranges separated by broad flat basins, or bolsóns, as the Spanish called them, meaning large purse.
What kind of plants live in the Hueco Tanks?
The rocky hills of Hueco Tanks are a granite-like, igneous material called porphyritic syenite. Cacti, sotol, and other desert plants thrive within the cracks and crevices in the rock as well as on the basin floor. Photo by Susan Dial. Shady retreats like this oak glen are uncommon in the desert.
Where can I chip rocks near Hueco Tanks?
Geology and Soils. Rocks suitable for chipping can be found in bedrock formations, in alluvial fans, along arroyos and streams, and in basins. Chert is the most commonly available chippable rock near Hueco Tanks. Chert outcrops within 5 miles of the Tanks reportedly show evidence of prehistoric use as quarries.