★
Adventure Awaits In the northern portion of the region,
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to the highest peak in Texas (Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet above sea level) and other outstanding forma tions, such as El Capitan. The park preserves an ancient, marine fossil reef that had formed under the sea and later was ex- posed when the mountains formed. Hikers can trek to the top of Gua-
dalupe Peak and sign the register to mark the achievement. The strenuous hike is a daylong trip as the 8.4 miles of steep trail usually take 6 to 8 hours to traverse. With more than 80 miles of trails, both short and long, the park has paths that appeal to geology buff s, plant lovers, nature seekers and people who just want to enjoy a hike. To the south and about halfway be-
Fort Davis McDONALD OBSERVATORY
known for housing the actors who fi lmed the movie Giant in the 1950s. While in Marfa, travelers can enjoy The Chinati Foundation, a contem- porary art museum founded by art- ist Donald Judd, during the day, and search for the Marfa lights from the viewing area at night. Alpine, located farther east along
U.S. 90, is home to the Trost-designed Holland Hotel. The restored Spanish Colonial Revival building was orig- inally built in 1912 during the mer- cury mining boom. Today, it off ers 25 gorgeous guest rooms furnished with custom bedding and local artifacts. Alpine is home to hundreds of artists, and many works can be seen in gal- leries and studios throughout town, as well as during Alpine Artwalk in November. The Gage Hotel in Marathon, lo-
cated east of Alpine, was built in 1927 for Alfred S. Gage. The hotel served as his Marathon residence and head- quarters for his local cat le and bank- ing interests. The original brick, two- story building has 16 rooms with either a queen or double bed furnished in Western style with hardwood fl oors. Twenty additional adobe rooms, with a king or two double beds, surround a landscaped courtyard.
PHOTO: WILL VAN OVERBEEK/TXDOT
tween Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Big Bend National Park is the 2,708-acre Davis Mountains State Park. It was one of the earliest Civilian Conservation Corps projects in Texas, and several structures remain includ- ing Indian Lodge, completed in 1935 and later expanded into a 39-room full-service hotel. For hikers, the state park off ers
more than 10 miles of hiking trails, in- cluding a trail that leads to Fort Davis National Historic Site. The fort, one of the best surviving examples of a fron- tier military post in the Southwest, was established in 1854 to protect travelers on the San Antonio-El Paso Road. If planning a stay, visitors also should stop at nearby McDonald Ob- servatory, which has daily tours of the large research telescopes and thrice- weekly star parties. Of course, one of the biggest draws
to the region is Big Bend itself. While it can take a long drive to reach and in- cludes some areas where people need to make sure to fi ll their gas tanks before heading out, it is well worth the trip. The area is home to Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Park. Big Bend National Park off ers out- standing scenic vistas, wildlife viewing
scenic drives
Big Bend National Park Area With more than 100 miles of paved roads throughout the park, visitors have access to gorgeous vistas and the possibility of spot- ting wildlife. The 30-mile Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive provides access to Santa Elena Canyon, several historic sites and scenic overlooks.
www.nps.gov/bibe
El Paso Take Rim Road up to the southern tip of the Franklin Mountains for picturesque views of the city.
www.visitelpaso.com
On the northern side of El Paso, the Trans- mountain Road (State Loop 375) off ers a 10.5-mile road exploration of the Franklin Mountains. Travelers will fi nd pullout areas to stop and enjoy the view.
Davis Mountains Within the Davis Mountains State Park, Skyline Drive (Park Road 3A) traverses the mountain past plains grasslands and pinyon- juniper-oak woodlands.
www.tpwd.state.
tx.us/state-parks/davis-mountains
From Fort Davis, the 74-mile scenic loop takes drivers along Texas 118 through the mountains then along Texas 166 through extensive grasslands and pinion and ponder- osa forests back into Fort Davis. The route includes views of Mount Livermore and the McDonald Obsevatory. There are several pullouts and picnic areas along Texas 118.
www.davis-mountains.com
Pine Springs In the Guadalupe Mountains National Park area, Highway62/180 provides gorgeous views of the mountains. Just south of the park, two picnic areas give visitors an oppor- tunity to stop and admire the beauty of El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak, the highest peak in Texas.
www.nps.gov/gumo
Sierra Blanca Leaving the town along F.M. 1111 and travel- ing north off ers more than 40 miles to enjoy the desert beauty, including blooming yuccas in March and April.
For more infor ma tion about cities and attractions in the Big Bend Country, visit
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