La Huasteca   Dr. Gene J. Paull with geology lab instructor Javier Garcia and student Mary Garcia, March, 1995. Cascadas de Tamul, near Cd. Valles, San Luis Potosi, Mexico is in the background, deep in "La Huasteca."  

 

          The Huasteca is the region of the Sierra Madre Oriental located in the southern portions of the state of Tamaulipas and the northern regions of Veracruz and San Luis Potosi.  This area receives between 60-150 inches of precipitation annually, depending upon the terrain.  Much of La Huasteca is covered with tropical deciduous and tropical cloudforests.  There are spectacular waterfalls, cenotes (sinkholes), and verdant canyons.
            Culturally La Huasteca represents the northernmost extension of ancient Mesoamerica and modern indigenous groups.  South of Cd. Valles are located some municipalities when various native dialects are still spoken.  The periodic Mesoamerican market is still present.
            Below are some images to give you an idea of what to expect in a fieldtrip to the region.
  Map of the State of San Luis Potosi   Sierra Madre Oriental, Rancho Cielito, Tamps. April, 1998   Unloading van, Geology 1403 fieldtrip, April, 1998     Guest house, Rancho el Cielito, April, 1998     Dinner, Geology 1403 fieldtrip, Rancho el Cielito, April, 1998     Geology 1403 class having dinner, Rancho el Cielito, April, 1998   Hiking down to Puento de Dios from El Cafetal Train Station Near Tamasopo, San Luis Potosi, April, 1998   Puente de Dios, April, 1998   Puente de Dios, April, 1998   Diving at Puente de Dios, April, 1998 Notice the tilt of the rocks.   Swimming into cave, Puente de Dios, April, 1998   Geology 1403 class surrounded by tropical vegetation, Puente de Dios, April, 1998   Monument to La Mujer Huasteca, Central Plaza Aquismon, San Luis Potosi   Fresh produce at market, Aquismon, San Luis Potosi     Entrance to the Castle, Las Pozos de Xilitla Xilitla, San Luis Potosi  

 

Waterfalls, Las Pozas de Xilitla April, 1998  

 

"Chevron" fold, Las Pozas  

 

Swimming pool, Las Pozas  

 

Surrealistic serpent sculptures, Las Pozas  

 

Dr. Gene Paull, Las Pozas, April 1998  

 

Castle tower, Las Pozas  

 

Upper waterfalls, Las Pozas