| Chinati Mountains | |
| Range | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | Texas |
| Highest point | Chinati Peak |
| - elevation | 7,728 ft (2,355 m) |
| - coordinates | |
| Geology | Igneous |
The Chinati Mountains of Texas are a small range in the high desert of far West Texas near the city of Presidio. There is a pass through the mountains on Ranch to Market Road 2810, also known as Pinto Canyon Road, which connects to Farm to Market Road 170 at Ruidosa, Texas. The range derives its name from the Apache word ch'íná'itíh, which means gate or mountain pass.
The mountains are primarily composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks, and are believed to be the remains of a number of explosive volcanic caldera-building events in the remote past.[1]
The mountains are generally not forested, but rather vegetated with grasses, cactus, and brush typical of the Chihuahuan Desert.
The mountains were extensively mined for silver in the 1860s through 1910s.[2]
The highest point is Chinati Peak at 7,728 feet (2,355 m).
Portions of the mountains are contained within a Texas State Park which is not open to the public.[3]