"Basaic Guadalupe Mountains National Park Page" Top 5 Page for this destination Guadalupe Mountains National Park by Basaic

The Guadalupe Mountains are part of a marine fossil reef named the Capitan Reef. The Capitan Reef was formed some 260 to 270 million years ago when the area was covered by a vast tropical ocean. Geologists come from all around the world to study the fossil rich remains of this reef that was formed of calcareous sponges, algae, and lime seeping from the sea water. Other above ground portions of the reef are the Apache Mountains, due south of the park and the Glass Mountains to the southeast. The spectacular Carlsbad Caverns north of the park in New Mexico is also part of the reef formation. Inside the park is Guadalupe Peak, which at over 8700 feet is the highest point in Texas.

Frijole Ranch Cultural Museum

A short distance northeast of the turnoff for the Headquarters Visitors Center is the turnoff for the Historic Frijole Ranch. The ranch is the most complete remnant of early ranching and farming enterprises in the Guadalupe Mountains and is one of the oldest substantial buildings in West Texas. It was built in the 1870s by two early pioneers, the Rader Brothers. Ranch buildings included the main house, a spring-house, a milk house, a school, a bunkhouse and a barn.

McKittrick Canyon Trail

McKittrick Canyon has been called "the most beautiful spot in Texas". After seeing it that is hard to argue with.