Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
East
Mission Trail
Ready for some local history? This 9-mile trail links two mission churches and a presidio
chapel, all of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. Privately owned by
the Catholic Diocese, they're not always as visitor-friendly as you might like, but you can
arrange a tour or get more information from the
El Paso Mission Trail Association
The best known of the three is
Mission Ysleta
( 915-859-9848; 131 S Zaragoza Rd; 7am-5pm
Mon-Sat)
, Texas' oldest continually active parish. Although the original structure from 1682
is long gone, the current church built from adobe bricks, clay and straw dates back to
1851, and a beautiful, silver-domed bell tower was added in the 1880s.
Two miles from Ysleta is
Socorro Mission
( 915-859-7718; 328 S Nevarez Rd; 8am-4pm Mon-
Fri)
. Originally built in 1681 by the Piro Indians, who later assimilated into the Tiguas, the
church was repeatedly rebuilt after Rio Grande flooding. Although the outside is fairly
plain, the inside has some impressive decorative touches, including beautifully hand-
painted roof beams rescued from the 18th-century mission.
Though not open to the public, the last stop is the presidio chapel of
San Elizario
(
915-851-2333; 1556 San Elizario Rd, San Elizario)
, located on a military fort established for the Span-
ish government in 1684. Today, peaceful San Elizario is notable for its 1882 church and
the adjacent town plaza where de Oñate issued his 1598 proclamation claiming the region
for Spain.
HISTORIC SITE
Activities
Wyler Aerial Tramway
MAP
TRAMWAY
( 915-566-6622; 1700 McKinley Ave; adult/child 12yr & under $8/4; noon-7pm Fri & Sat, 10am-5pm Sun)
Sure, you'd feel a sense of accomplishment if you hiked to the top of the Franklin Moun-
tains. We're not suggesting you take the easy way out (or are we?), but it only takes about
four minutes to take a gondola to the top. After gliding 2400ft and gaining 940ft in eleva-
tion, you'll reach the viewing platform on top of Ranger Peak, where you'll enjoy spec-
tacular views of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico.
