@explainingourpast: La Sal del Rey is one of the strangest salt landscapes in Texas. From a distance, it can look like a shallow lake shimmering in the heat, but this place is much more than water. Hidden in the Lower Rio Grande Valley near Edinburg, La Sal del Rey means “The King’s Salt.” That name goes way back. Salt was extracted and traded here long before modern roads, and during Spanish rule, mineral resources belonged to the crown. Salt was valuable because it helped preserve meat, hides, and food. But the science is just as interesting. La Sal del Rey sits in a closed basin, meaning water flows in after heavy rain, but it does not flow back out. The water slowly evaporates, leaving salt behind. Depending on the season, the lake can be covered in water or dry enough for a white salt crust to form across the bottom. As the salt crust develops, it can crack, expand, and form pressure ridges. The lake can also become extremely salty as it dries, reaching salinity levels far higher than seawater. In late summer, the normally white salt can even develop a reddish color because of salt-loving bacteria. La Sal del Rey is one of three salt lakes in this area, but it is the only one with public access. It is part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge and combines Texas geology, history, chemistry, and wildlife in one place. Save this for your Texas geology list — would you make the walk to see La Sal del Rey? #lasaldelrey #saltlake #geology #History #fyp

Explaining Our Past :

The most unique feature of La Sal Del Rey is that it sits on an estimated 4 million tons of salt that naturally replenishes itself. 🧪

🌼Mayda🌼 :

We go in the 2nd entrance 1/2 mile walk

user92614321330473 :

3 miles from my ranch

Elida :

How much do they charge

roseestrada86751 :

Wait that sign is not there nor that walkway😏

LaMaisondeOlive&Sky :

Been here, if you break the coat of salt is mud underneath is black color and if you step on that, it feels like quicksand. Be careful if you see the salt rock is cracked and you walk on it

Eddie Tamez :

lower?

BeautywithV :

when I went last year I wasn’t prepared, almost passed out on the way back 😩 but it was pretty

Sylvia Hawkins :

Was there, pretty neat

Mr.Smiles :

I take the shortcut hahahaha

MariaNunez1961 :

I Would Make The Walk❤️

Charlie111 :

cool!!!💯💯💯

Smurf :

Been there

lisaostigingarcia2 :

I was just there yesterday

MRR62 :

Es un lugar tan inusual aquí al rededor no se porque está tan abandonado y muchas personas de aquí al rededor ni siquiera saben que existe…….creo un día va a desaparecer y es un lugar que se debe conservar ☹️

Explaining Our Past :

Have you ever been to this unique hypersaline lake? 🧂

roseestrada86751 :

I did it last year and there was not much bc of low rainfall🥺

Brian Miller :

interesting

veromen73 :

Was just there. 😊

dellasez :

How have I never heard of this before!?

Adrian :

Very cool

Crambo :

I've done it many times...

user2243252888215 :

I like to go there, but the ticks are awful this year!!

Immutable :