La Sal Vieja or Old Salt

"La Sal Vieja ("Old Salt") is the name given to two salt lakes six miles northwest of Raymondville in Willacy County (at 2632' N, 9753' W). The west lake has a surface area of 2,475 acres, and the east lake, 720 acres; they are separated by a natural isthmus. Coahuiltecan Indians are thought to have been among the first people to use salt from La Sal Vieja. In Spanish Texas these salt deposits were important items of trade between natives and the Spanish."

From The Handbook of Texas Online Click here for the full article.

So Linda and I have been trying, off and on, to see the salt lakes near Raymondville, Texas. Our first attempt was a total loss. All we knew was they were off hi-way 186 between 281 and 77. Since there weren't any signs pointing the way we basically saw nothing other than the scenery along 186.

For our next attempt I did a little research on Streets and Trips and found a couple of roads that I thought would get us close enough to check out the lakes. Since it's been raining quite a bit this winter, the little county roads near the lake were a bit wet to say the least. We really enjoy getting to see the fields and wildlife along little two track roads. Even though I get picked on because the jeep is usually covered in mud when we return to the RV park.

We followed one of the little two tracks along a wooded section and plowed through a number of muddy areas. We finally approached a feeder stream to the western salt lake. The road/trail we were on crosses over the stream, but the crossing wasn't much more than a mud bog. If we had been with another vehicle, or if I had a winch installed on the jeep, I would have tried to make it across. As it was it would have been a very long walk back to the nearest ranch for help. We backtracked to 186 and headed for Raymondville, picked up a little dinner, than headed home.

Our third attempt finally paid off, for me at least. We managed to come across an access site to the area surrounding the eastern salt lake. We left the jeep in the parking area and headed off into the preserve. There were two trails to choose from so Bud and I started down the southern two track followed for a short time by Linda. I'm not sure how far Linda made it, because Bud didn't want to wait for her. The trail eventually headed out of the preserve so we headed back to the parking area.

Bud, being the old man he is, was starting to get a bit warm and tired so I left him with Linda at the jeep before heading down the other trail. I hadn't gone more than 50 yards when I found another trail that split off, kind of running between the trail I was on and the other path we had followed earlier. I could see the main trail headed uphill, so followed it to the top. I couldn't see the lake or any clearing from the crest so headed back to try the other trail.

Well you know what they say about three times being the charm! Here are a few pictures of the smaller eastern lake. We will try one more time before we leave to see the western lake. Hopefully it will be close enough to the road that Linda will be able to see it.

You can click on the picture for a larger view.