テキサスの峠・トップ5

The roundabout at the top of McKellingon Canyon Road is located at McKellingon Canyon City Park Area. There is a lot of parking, bathrooms, trail access, a large pavilion with other smaller picnic areas, and even an amphitheater. A lot of people decide to drive to the top of the road so there are often more crowds on the upper trails and in the picnic areas than there are on the roads during the run up.

Anthony Gap rises up to a little under 5,000 feet and is the furthest north high point in Franklin Mountains State Park. Anthony Gap Cave is just to the east of the pass, and the main trail continues south before joining some other park trails that circumnavigate the range.

The northern terminus of the Ron Coleman Trail is off of the side of the highway at Smuggler's Pass. There is a huge parking area and small trailhead marking the area. There are a multitude of trailheads along this side of the highway as you work your way west.

The Mundy's Gap Trail is popular among hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers alike. The moderate and steady uphill trek is favorable for birdwatching, and affords explorers a closer look at the ancient rock formations that make up the Franklin Mountains. September through May is considered to be the optimal season for hiking in this area, as summers tend to be very hot and dry.

A pretty little stretch of road that weaves through some small mountains. If you turn south from here you would be headed to Strawn, I-20, and the famous Mary's Cafe. 30 miles west of here is Breckenridge, 10 miles east is Palo Pinto, and Mineral Wells is about 20 miles east.