Chinati Mountains

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Chinati Mountains
Highest point
Peak Chinati Peak
Elevation 7,728 ft (2,355 m)
Coordinates 29°54′N 104°28′W / 29.900°N 104.467°W / 29.900; -104.467Coordinates: 29°54′N 104°28′W / 29.900°N 104.467°W / 29.900; -104.467
Geography
Country United States
State Texas
Type of rock 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. Some believe 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]

References

  1. ↑ Cepeda, Joseph (November 1983). Oligocene volcanism and multiple caldera formation in the Chinati Mountains, Presidio County, Texas. Austin, Texas: Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin. ISBN 978-99947-61-46-3. 
  2. ↑ Tyler, Ron (1996). The Big Bend: a history of the last Texas Frontier. Texas A&M University Press. pp. 136–137. ISBN 978-0-89096-706-5. 
  3. ↑ Parent, Laurence (2008). Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites: Revised Edition. University of Texas Press. pp. 11–12. ISBN 978-0-292-71726-8. 

External links


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