If you travel further west.. |
Big Bend and Guadalupe National Parks and Fort Davis provide cool mountain refuge in the West Texas desert
Big Bend National Park:
The upside down 'boot' and autumn colors in Boot Canyon of Big Bend National Park. This picture is from within the Chisos Mountains. The distant horizon to the right of the boot is the Chihuahuan desert in Mexico. The Boot Canyon trail continues to the South Rim trail with more views from the Chisos mountains.
1500 foot walls of the Santa Elena canyon and the Rio Grande river in Big Bend National Park. Great rafting.
Fort Davis: a town, mountains, National Historic Site, and State Park:
July 4th Flag raising at the National Historic Site |
In the Fort Davis area:
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park:
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El Capitán. Behind El Capitán is Guadalupe Peak, the tallest mountain in Texas.  |
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Indian Paintbrush clinging to the side of Guadalupe Peak overlook the Chihuahuan Desert. |
Looking down on El Capitán from Guadalupe Peak |
North of the Texas Hill Country, Palo Duro Canyon abruptly ends the great plains.
The beautiful, 800 foot deep Palo Duro Canyon has unfortunately seen dissappointment:
In 1541, after finding no wealthy seven cities of Cibola in New Mexico, Coronado's army passed through Palo Duro while being deceived by their guide, 'Turk'. This second arduous trip for wealth was bound for the fictitious city of Quivera, in present day Kansas. The Turk was later dealt with for his deception.
In 1874, the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon occurred. In this battle, the remaining free Kiowa, Comanche, and Cheynenne indians were attacked by American troops. Although few indians were killed, over 1000 of their ponies were massacred and their winter food was destroyed. The indians were rounded up and sent to reservations.
These are a few highlights. Many other area parks are reviewed at wildtexas.com and www.tpwd.state.tx.us/.