Indian Peak

Overview

Indian Peak stands in the northern part of the Franklin Mountains, to the east of North Franklin Mountain, just outside of the Franklin Mountain State Park boundary. It is on land known as the Castner Range which has been owned by the U.S. Army since the 1920's and was used as an artillery range, although it is no longer in use. The Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition has long recommended that the land be given to the Franklin Mountain State Park, but as of yet the Army has not decided the future of Castner Range.


Indian Peak is accessed by much of the same trail which leads to North Franklin Mountain, although there is no trail to the top as it lies outside of the Park boundaries. It is over-shadowed and seldom visited. However those wishing to reach the peak can due so by bushwhacking up the steep, rocky slope.

Getting There

The trailhead for Indian Peak is the same as for North Franklin Mountain and is located in the Tom Mays Unit of the Franklin Mountains State Park. The Tom Mays Unit is located off of Trans-Mountain Road (Loop 375), 3.8 miles from Interstate-10.

Upon entering the park and paying the fees, follow the signs for West Cottonwood Spring and Mundys Gap. The trailhead is at the end of the parking lot.

Continue following the trail up to Mundys Gap, ignoring the turn off for the West Cottonwood Spring. Continue past Mundys Gap and you will come to a sign that point to the tin mines to the left and North Franklin to the right. Follow the trail to the right towards North Franklin.

The next saddle that you come to will be where you divert from the trail and exit the state park. The trail turns right up to North Franklin and you will go left up a rocky slope. When you reach the top of this slope you will see Indian Peak on the other side.

Descend from the first slope into a little valley and then go up the similarly rocky and steep slope to the peak. There is a metal structure on the summit and a geocache hidden nearby.

Red Tape

Indian Peak is located in the Castner Range and is property of the U.S. Army. The trailhead is located in the Franklin Mountains State Park and there is a fee of $4 for persons 13 and over.

External Links

Indian Peak on Localhikes.com

Franklin Mountans State Park official website

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

City of El Paso official website

Images

View Indian Peak Image Gallery - 5 Images