Walk on a Salt Encrusted Lake

Along the Rio Grande Valley Civil War Trail, visitors can practically walk on water at La Sal del Rey (The Salt of the King) north of Edinburg, part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge contains nine tracts totaling nearly forty thousand acres. When Spanish discovered the salt lake in 1746, it was instantly claimed for the king. By royal decree, all minerals in the New World were considered the property of the king of Spain, and under old law, salt was money. Salt wars were common (one such war was east of El Paso). Between 1863-1864, the salt works here aided Texas in the Civil War. In addition, salt was the first export of the Rio Grande Valley. This locale was a catalyst for Texas laws being established for private ownership of minerals, known as mineral rights. It is estimated there are 4 million tons of salt under the hypersaline lake. It is ten times saltier than the ocean. The lake has been designated a “Site of International Significance.” There are two ways to reach the salt flats: a short walk from a parking lot at the Lake Access Entrance or a three-mile hike from the highway. If you like peculiar, I have a Quirky & Peculiar Playlist that you can binge watch at Unclassic Road Trip on KZbin.

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