Lost Mine Peak in the Chisos Mountains
(Photo by 111th Photo Sec., Texas Nat’l Guard)
LOST MINE TRAIL
This is your guidebook for using the trail which starts at this registration desk. For about one mile of this walk the interesting plants, unusual geological features and other things of interest are explained. Each object of special interest is marked by a numbered stake. Refer to the corresponding number in this booklet, and you will find the name of the plant or feature and a description. The information recorded here is necessarily brief, but the rangers will be glad to answer your questions and give additional information.
1. Evergreen Sumac (Rhus virens). This sumac is commonly found in Green Gulch and through the Chisos Mountains. It bears attractive clusters of small white flowers followed by red berries which are seen in the late autumn and winter.
2. Alligator Juniper (Juniperus deppeana). Observe alligator skin-like bark of the tree which easily identifies this evergreen and gives it its name. Under favorable conditions the species attains an age in excess of 500 years.
3. Mexican Pinyon (Pinus cembroides), is the only species of pine found along this trail. Pinyon is the name given by the early Spanish explorers and was described by Cabeza de Vaca in 1536. The seeds are used by Indians for food and in recent years the nuts of a close relative, Pinus edulis, have become an article of commerce.
4. Gray Oak (Quercus grisea). There are several species of oak on this trail, but this particular one is easily recognized by the blue-gray color of its leaves.
5. Emory Oak (Quercus emoryi). Of the several oaks in the park, this represents one of the larger evergreen groups. The acorns are edible, sweet, and are important as food for birds and small mammals. Notice the glossy hollylike leaves.
6. Graves Oak (Quercus gravesi). Here is another of the oaks with typical notched or toothed leaf margins. The lovely fall colors of the Chisos Mountains (pronounced CHEE-sose) are principally due to the abundance of these trees whose leaves takes on the rusts and reds of autumn.
7. Picture! From this point on the trail there is an excellent view of Green Gulch. The high point on the left (north) of the gulch is Pulliam Peak, 6,921 feet high. The faraway hills are the Rosillos Mountains, so named because of their roan coloring.