HUECO TRIP BETA
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site is a world class bouldering destination, offering a high concentration of problems of every grade from V0-V14. Every year 100's of climbers migrate to Hueco Tanks. Climbing season is November - April, the peak months being January and Febuary, which are the coldest months. However, due to the restrictions here there are a few things you need to know:
There are 2 ways to access the park:
1) North Mountain or 2) Guided tour to the other 3 mountains (East, West, or East Spur) See BACKCOUNTRY ACCESS below.
NORTH MOUNTAIN:
Park Reservations: 512-389-8911
The number of people allowed on North is limited to 70. The park takes reservations in advance for 60 people and also has 10 "walk-in" spots each day. You can make reservations up to 3 months ahead of time. Those with reservations have until 10:00 am that day to either claim the reservation at the park or notify the park to hold it for later in the day.
At 10:00 a.m. the park staff will consider the unclaimed reservations "no-shows" and give them to people who are on the wait list. To be on the wait list, you will need to be at park gate as early as possible to get a place in line. After 10 am, they will let people from the wait list in if there are spaces available from the "no-shows".
There is a FEE to visit North Mountain, but if you buy a Texas State Parks Pass, then the fee is waived for everybody in your vehicle.
BACKCOUNTRY (West, East, East Spur)
Climbing in the West, East, and East Spur requires a guided tour (either volunteer or commercial -see below).
VOLUNTEER TOURS: (915) 857-1135
Volunteer tours offer a cheaper way to get into the backcountry. Volunteer tours are scheduled thru the park headquarters at (915) 857-1135. Availability varies due to volunteer schedules, thus there is no guarantee for volunteer tours.
vs.
COMMERCIAL TOURS: Commercial services offer a more reliable way to get into the backcountry.
www.sessionsclimbing.com/HuecoTanksTours/
www.wagonwheelcoopt.com
There are 2 ways to access the park:
1) North Mountain or 2) Guided tour to the other 3 mountains (East, West, or East Spur) See BACKCOUNTRY ACCESS below.
NORTH MOUNTAIN:
Park Reservations: 512-389-8911
The number of people allowed on North is limited to 70. The park takes reservations in advance for 60 people and also has 10 "walk-in" spots each day. You can make reservations up to 3 months ahead of time. Those with reservations have until 10:00 am that day to either claim the reservation at the park or notify the park to hold it for later in the day.
At 10:00 a.m. the park staff will consider the unclaimed reservations "no-shows" and give them to people who are on the wait list. To be on the wait list, you will need to be at park gate as early as possible to get a place in line. After 10 am, they will let people from the wait list in if there are spaces available from the "no-shows".
There is a FEE to visit North Mountain, but if you buy a Texas State Parks Pass, then the fee is waived for everybody in your vehicle.
BACKCOUNTRY (West, East, East Spur)
Climbing in the West, East, and East Spur requires a guided tour (either volunteer or commercial -see below).
VOLUNTEER TOURS: (915) 857-1135
Volunteer tours offer a cheaper way to get into the backcountry. Volunteer tours are scheduled thru the park headquarters at (915) 857-1135. Availability varies due to volunteer schedules, thus there is no guarantee for volunteer tours.
vs.
COMMERCIAL TOURS: Commercial services offer a more reliable way to get into the backcountry.
www.sessionsclimbing.com/HuecoTanksTours/
www.wagonwheelcoopt.com
HUECO Q&A
WEATHER/ HUECO SEASON:
Season is primarily November - April. This desert environment has little precipitation and mostly arid/dry conditions, which means climbing can be good even in slightly warmer temps if you chase the shade. Windy days are the main weather event in Hueco, however the park provides great shelter if you find the right area. While high winds mainly occur in spring, we get them throughout the the season. Fall brings cooler temps beginning as early as October, with December, January and February being the coldest winter months. March - April can still provide decent temperatures in the spring if you chase the shade. Summer temps typically arrive sometime in late May or early June depending on season. Monsoon (rainy) season begins in July, cooling things off a bit, however the rains bring mosquitos to the park. Outside of monsoon/summer season, rain is a rarity, however when it does rain, please allow a day or two for rock to dry. If you have to go out, stay on roofs that weren't exposed to rain and don't top out.
WHAT GEAR DO I NEED?
Essential climbing gear for Hueco includes shoes, chalk, crash pad, guidebook & of course a kneepad. Crash pads can be purchased or rented at SEND CLIMBING. They also sell chalk, guidebooks and kneepads. Other gear necessary will depend on your sleeping arrangements. If you're camping, sleeping in your vehicle is preferable, however many climbers get by with a sturdy tent. You'll also need a sleeping bag, water, camp stove with pots/pans, puffy coat and other warm layers, bathing supplies including towel/soap. If you're staying in one of our rentals, they come equipped with cooking essentials, bathing towels, and bedding. Please note although we offer space heaters and bedding, it can still be cold if glamping in one of our yurts or caravans. We recommend having your own transportation as we are located 45 min from the airport and 20 min to the closest grocery store.
CLIMBING STYLE:
The climbing in Hueco is varied with an emphasis on overhangs and roofs, steep climbing and power endurance. Heel hooks, toe hooks, and knee bars are always part of the beta. Crimps are plentiful and rock can be sharp, which can take some time to get accustomed to. Depending on your fitness and time available, many climbers opt to climb 2 - 3 days on, however if you plan to climb more than one day on, bring your ibuprofen to take the edge off.
PLANTS & WILDLIFE
The desert is chock full of spiky plants. Rattlesnakes and scorpions inhabit the area, beware of your surroundings especially in the warmer months. Although snakes hibernate in winter, they can be seen sunning themselves in early and late season. Coyotes abound but tend to steer clear of humans, however if you have small pets, keep them in close proximity. Coyotes can be heard howling on many a night here in the desert. Javalina and Aoudad (goats) also inhabit the area, mostly in the park. Mountain lions are present as well, but tend to be illusive and rarely seen.
WHY SO MANY RESTRICTIONS?
Hueco Tanks is a state historic park located just 30 min outside El Paso, TX. Hueco, which means ‘hole’ in Spanish, was a sanctuary in the desert for early inhabitants due to water held in the hidden "tanks". Evident by the extensive collection of rock art paintings and artifacts, this history combined with its premier bouldering put Hueco Tanks at risk for overuse and irreversible impact to the fragile desert ecosystem. In order to limit the effects of human presence, the Texas State Parks Commission has implemented strict guidelines limiting the use of the land.
WIFI / CELL SERVICE
Verizon is the most reliable cell phone provider in the area. WiFi has always been hard to come by in the valley until recently as Spectrum now offers fiber optic services. Our vacation rentals have been upgraded with the newest high speed WiFi available. WIFI is boosted throughout our property via a MARINA range extender so the signal varies depending on location. If you're in need of Wifi for work, the house rentals have the best wifi signals of our rental options. We have many climbers who work remotely, those needing high speeds for upload tend to have mobile wifi service or hotspot their phone.
RENTAL FAQ:
*CLEANING - We take cleaning very seriously. All towels, linens, and bedding items including comforters and blankets are laundered after each and every guest. In addition, every surface is sanitized. Cleaning fee for rental units is used to cover the labor and materials for this cleaning.
*GLAMPING - Glamping stands for "glorified camping". Camper and caravan rentals are equipped with the following : WiFi*, electricity, heat, kitchen facilities with necessary items for cooking including refrigerator, stove, pots/pans, plates, coffee maker, sink, linens, bedding* and towels. Some units have toilet and or shower. Some toilets "PEE ONLY" where noted. Communal portable toilets and coin-operated shower available nearby. Camper units with showers have small water heaters so glamping style showers (water on -get wet, water off - soap up, water on - rinse) method is recommended. *Full bedding provided includes sheets, pillows, blanket, comforter. Please note that although we provide space heater and blankets, the campers and yurts are not as well insulated as a house, so can be cold in the event of extremely low temperatures.
*WIFI* : We have 2 WIFI services in order to get everyone connected. Please note WIFI is boosted throughout the property via a MARINA range extender so the signal varies depending on location. If you're in need of Wifi for work, the house rentals have the best wifi signals of our rental options.
HOUSE RENTALS:
We offer two unique sustainable house rentals, an Adobe style guest suite and a Straw-bale home. Both are 2 bedroom and offer similar amenities. The Adobe is located 5 min from Gleatherland. The Adobe is a 2 bed, 2 bath guest suite attached to the main house, but with completely separate entrance and amenities, the only thing shared is a wall and the 9 acre property. The Straw-bale is a 2 bed, 2 bath home located at Gleatherland, on it's own 3 acre section separated from the campground by space and a fence (in progress). See more info on VACATION HOME page.
DISTANCES:
Hueco Tanks State Park - 7 min
Airport - 45 min - 1 hour
Franklin State Park - 1 hour
White Sands Nat'l Park - 2 hour
Guadalupe Nat'l Park - 1 hr 25 min
Carsbad Caverns - 2 hour
Truth or Consequences - 2 hr 20 min
Grocery - Vista Market - 20 min, Walmart - 26 min, Sprouts - 32 min
FIRES:
Fires allowed at communal fire-pit only. Communal fire pit is centrally located between primitive camping and house. No fires permitted if windy. Extinguish fires with water after use with containers and water provided. Any wood provided may have nails, use at your own risk. Firewood availability not guaranteed. Plan accordingly. Fires pit may be CLOSED due to state mandated restrictions when applicable.
MORE TO COME.... Tell us what you want to see here in the survey below
