Tonuco Petroglyphs & Fluorite Mine Exploration
📅 Date & Time: March 15 | 8:15 AM – Approx. 3:00 PM
📍 Meeting Location: Dairy Queen (Transmountain & I-10)
🚙 Trip Leaders: Educator Brian Gillis & Geologist Paul Gavan
📩 Contact: Brian Gillis – 915-861-2990
Event Description
Join us for an adventurous exploration of Tonuco Mountain, where we will uncover ancient petroglyphs and historical mining sites. This trip offers a unique opportunity to:
Study early regional petroglyphs and learn about their historical significance and classification.
Explore sandstone boulders to locate and interpret these ancient carvings.
Visit an abandoned barite and fluorite mine from the early 1900s and discover fascinating mining techniques of the past.
Hike Details:
⚠ Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
🥾 Distance: ~2 miles round trip
⛰ Elevation Gain: ~1,000 feet
🚗 Vehicle Requirements: 4-wheel drive highly recommended for the last mile, which involves a soft, sandy riverbed. If you don’t have one, plan to carpool from the meeting location.
What to Bring:
✔ 3-4 liters of water
✔ Snacks & sack lunch (to eat at the summit)
✔ Sturdy hiking shoes
✔ Hat & sunscreen
✔ Walking stick (for stability on rocky terrain)
Schedule:
🚗 8:00 AM – Meet at Dairy Queen (Transmountain & I-10)
🚙 8:15 AM – Depart in caravan toward Tonuco Mountain (~1-hour drive)
🥾 9:30 AM – Start hike to petroglyphs & mine site
🍽 Lunch Break at Summit
🕒 Approx. 3:00 PM – Return to vehicles & caravan back
This challenging yet rewarding trip combines archaeology, history, and geology in one incredible outdoor experience.