Mirror Lake, near Roswell, New Mexico - Places of Geologic Significance on Waymarking.com

The nine lakes that compromise the "Bottomless Lakes" State Park were created in this area when the ancient limestone reef, percolated with water until caves formed underground (similar to the Carlsbad Caverns, 80 miles to the south)and the caves eventually collapsed, leaving behind these deep, circular lakes. The proper term form these lakes is "cenotes".

Mirror Lake has an interesting sign, with the text copied here:

"Mirror Lake
Depth 50 feet Elevation 3,483 feet
This lake is an excellent example of the near coalescence of two sinks caused by the collapse of adjacent underground cavities. An even more unusual aspect of this lake is that the water to the right can support game fish while the water to the left has a saline content too high for these fish to survive."

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Additional information about the "Bottomless Lakes":

This park is home to nine lakes that were formed via the action of sinkhole formation. Contrary to the old cowboy myth, the lakes are not bottomless, but have depths up to 90 feet. The story has been told that cowboys that used the nearby "Goodnight Trail" for moving cattle, would frequent these lakes. They decided to tie a boulder on he end of their lassos and dropped the boulder into the lake. Since the boulder seemed to never touch bottom, they announced the lakes were bottomless. In all likely hood, the boulder was swept aside in a current.

The area is also famous for its "Pecos Diamonds," which are actually quartz crystals formed inside the gypsum in the soil. The soft gypsum sometimes crumbles away, exposing the "diamonds."

Lea Lake is the deepest lake at 90 feet. Another lake, called Devil's Inkwell, is 32 feet deep and has very steep sides leading to dark water that is the result of algae growth. Lazy Lagoon is in the middle of odorous, treacherous mud flats, which limits its use to viewing waterfowl and wildlife. A visitors center contains exhibits and displays including an inter-active exhibit that displays the shape of the larger lakes.

Southeast region of New Mexico In 1933, the Bottomless Lakes area was set aside as New Mexico's first state park.

Lea Lake 90 ft
Lazy Lagoon 90 ft
Devil's Inkwell 32 feet
Figure Eight Lake 37 feet
Pasture Lake 18 feet
Lost Lake 0 (not provided on State Park website)
Cottonwood Lake 30 ft
Mirror Lake 50 ft
Dimmit Lake - (private)


^^^***^^^***^^^***^^^***^^^***^^^***^^^***^^^***^^^***^^^***^^^***^^^**Bottomless Lakes State Park
HC 12, Box 1200
Roswell, NM 88201
Phone: (575) 624-6058
www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/bottomless.htm

Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes Access fee (In local currency): 5.00 Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: no Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: no Website reference: [Web Link] Parking Coordinates: Not Listed Public Transport available: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
No specific requirements, just have fun visiting the waymark.

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