Ranger Blake Ingram Discusses Folklore & Geological Texture Of Unique New Mexico Park
The inherent geology of the Southwest sometimes leads to unique features simply because different areas used to be covered by ancient oceans. Beneath the surface of the desert and its various landmarks lie distinct mysteries that scientists are still discovering. As time progresses forward, urban myths continue to foster. At Bottomless Lakes State Park, just southwest of the infamous destination know as Roswell, New Mexico, a series of sinkholes borne out of specific tectonics and geology still fascinates people and serves for a great recreational getaway that is unlike anything in the area. Park Superintendent Blake Ingram spoke to The Buzz about dispelling myths, the different unique features of the park and its storied history.
The Buzz: Can you initially speak to the inherent geology and history of this location.
Blake Ingram: Bottomless Lakes State Park is actually New Mexico’s very first state park. It was founded back in 1933 [and] is located about 17 miles southeast of Roswell, NM. The unique quartz deposits and landscapes out here including the geology and hydrology is what made us asa state park. The New Mexico Science Commission visited this area a long time ago. They said it was so rare to have naturally occurring water in the northern tip of this desert ecosystem [so] it was decided to protect this natural resource. The park is made up of 8 sinkholes. People call them “xenotes”. They range from about 17 feet in depth to up to 90 feet in depth. They are all spring fed from the artesian aquifer system [and they are] not actually bottomless. That is the question we get most out here. Are they bottomless? No. The park was named for the cowboys back in the 1800s. They traveled the historic Goodnight 11 cattle drive [trail] which ran right through this area. They didn’t have an accurate way to judge depth back then so they thought they were all bottomless. That is how they got their name. They were using their saddle ropes [which were not that long] to measure the depth.
The Buzz: Can you discuss the aspect of myths with the park…about items disappearing in the lakes and coming out in Carlsbad Caverns or the Gulf Of Mexico. There are actually caverns underwater where people can even go scuba diving.
BI: Scuba Diving is very popular out here. Our Signature Event is actually called Bottomless Bubble Fest. We get a bunch of scuba divers from around the area and throughout the state [as well as] invite scuba diving clubs from Texas and Arizona. They come in and have a good time. But myths are fun. There are a lot of legends and folklore [out here]. One in particular comes to mind. A lot of people think that the lakes here are, as you say, connected to Carlsbad Caverns about 70 miles to our South. [One myth is that] a horse died in one of the lakes here and got washed out in the Carlsbad Cavern. Another one is about a Volkswagen that was driven into Lead Lake and that that same Volkwagen was found in the Gulf Of Mexico. These are all myths. The sinkholes here are not connected in any way. They are their own separate entities. A lot of people think that Lee Lake is connected to Mirror Lake and Mirror Lake is connected to Cottonwood Lake. But they are not connected. Scuba divers here will tell you the same thing. They have scuba dived every inch of Lee Lake…and there are no caverns that will connect.
The Buzz: But what makes the lakes to many people seem “bottomless”?
BI: What gives them the illusion of great depth is the aquatic vegetation which each lake is surrounded by. These sinkholes are unusual [in and of themselves]…but having this much aquatic vegetation and it being so dense is interesting.
The Buzz: But eons ago…it was a complete different ecosystem.
BI: If we were to travel back 240 million years ago, this whole area was covered by a shallow inland sea. When that sea evaporated and dried up, it left all these salt deposits behind to form gypsum. And gypsum is the predominant rock out here. It is the main mineral. You will see some of the whitest gray rock in the strata. You get a bunch of the red silk stone as well. But that gypsum is a major ingredient [of the area]. Water and gypsum are the two main ingredients to create sinkholes because gypsum is very soluble rock. We have a lot of water dissolving these minerals here and the water here is very salty, [which is] also because of the calcium sulfate. Plus the water is very hard because of the limestone it passes through. When you get out of the lake your skin will itch.
The Buzz: Can you speak to the different experiences visitors can have to the park depending on their approach?
BI: There is a lot for people to do but Lea Lake is our largest and deepest sinkhole. It is the only one you can swim in. [People also do] a bunch of watersports including sailboats and kayaks, canoes….but all [have to be] non-motorized. We just have too many swimmers out there as well as scuba divers. We also have 3 established maintained trails in the park. There is the Bluff Trail that connects Lee Lake to Pasture Lake. It is about .86 miles. Then we have the brand new Wetlands Trail which is right across from Lee Lake. It is over a half mile long. And then at the north end of the park, we have the Skidmarks Trail, which is a “hike it or bike it” trail which is about 3.13 miles. Some people [actually] come out and run it [or] they bring their mountain bikes…or they walk their dogs.
The Buzz: And people can do these activities on a day trip…
BI: Down at the Lea Lake Recreation Area is where the historic pavilion is located. It was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp back in the 1930s. A lot of people come here just to look at that structure right on the beachfront. It is amazing. It is awesome. The recreation area down there is broken up into two areas essentially. There is the day use area which is on one side and the Lee Lake campground on the other. Both of them offer plenty of amenities. The day use has 24 picnic sites, a swimming beach, a playground, a sand volleyball court, a bathhouse with outdoor shower towers and a large reserve-able group shelter. Our busy season out here is, of course, the summertime…and between Memorial and Labor Day Weekend, we have lifeguards on duty. We also rent paddleboards and paddleboats for a small fee. We also have specific nature talks and trail walks. That is $5 for the day use area per vehicle for a great day from 7am to 9pm.
The Buzz: And for RVers and campers?
BI: The Lee Lake Campground is on the other side. It has 32 total camping sites. 13 are on the reservation system and 19 are first come first serve. Sites 1 through 6 offer water, electric and sewage hook ups…and the rest are water and electric. We have 30 to 50 AMP sites and they are all designed as back in or pull through. We have another bathhouse that is set aside for our campers that has hot showers. Free Wi Fi is available for campers as well and we have a dump station to accommodate our departing campers. We have a lot of things to offer. This park is a true oasis.
Tim Wassberg
A graduate of New York University's Tisch School Of The Arts with degrees in Film/TV Production & Film Criticism, Tim has written for magazines such as Moviemaker, Moving Pictures, Conde Nast Traveler UK and Casino Player. He enjoys traveling and distinct craft beers among other things.
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Bottomless Lake State Park, located just 14 miles southeast of Roswell, is your place for fun! Enjoy non-motorized boating in your kayak or canoe, camp, fish, picnic, swim, hike, go birding or even scuba dive!