Salt Flat Basin [ director´s cut ]

Salt Flat Basin [ director´s cut ]

I took this shot in November 2004. It was a rare and surprising moment to see water in this barren area amidst the plains of the Chihuahuan desert as a result of a few days of heavy rain. In the background: The Guadalupe Mountains. Completely on the right: “El Capitan”, the famous cliff and the landmark of the national park. Left beside the Guadalupe peak, highest point of Texas with 8749 ft, according to 2666.7m.


This place is origin of a rather inglorious chapter of Texan history, written in the eighties of the 19th century:

The natural salt occurrence at the foot of the Guadalupe Mountains was almost purely and desired by the inhabitants of west Texas. It was used industrially for the preservation and in households. The salt provided an income for the farmers, if the harvest failed badly.

Political wills to power and enviousness within different influential circles led to the fact that a group was formed, called the “salt ring”, who demanded titles at the salt lake. This objection was rejected from a court and now the members of the “salt ring” began to feud with themselves.

At this time the American army had given up its post up in El Paso, and so both sides tried to decide the war with brutal means and to come into power at the salt lake and its lucrative income. Several dead ones and the plundering of the mission and locality San Elizario were the result, without an advantage for anyone.

The originators broke away to Mexico and not one was called to account.
Crucially for El Paso: the army decided to occupy their post Fort Bliss again.


Olympus Camedia C-8080WZ, ISO 50, F 8, 1/80 sec, polarizer.