Mount Franklin is located in the massive Franklin Mountains State Park, a recent addition to the Texas State Parks system. In addition to the hike up Mount Franklin, visitors can enjoy about 51 miles of excellent, challenging single track mountain biking trails. There are also a number of one-pitch sport climbs in the park. Of course, Hueco Tanks State Park is also in the area.
From afar, the Franklin Mountains appear to be brown lumps of lifeless rock. Up close however, you will find them to be full of interesting Sonoran desert flora and fauna, including Ocotillo, Spanish Dagger and other interesting desert plants.
It's hot as Hades here in the summer, but you can still enjoy the park. Just bring a lot of liquids.
Hello. I just summitted North Franklin a few days ago and wanted to provide some additional information to help out-of-towners find the trailhead (in bold, below, augmented to your existing directions).
The trailhead is located on the west flanks of the range in the Franklin Mountains Preserve. Easiest way is to exit Interstate-10 onto Loop-375 (I-10 exit 6) and drive east about 4 miles to the gate and entrance to the park on the left (north) side of the road. It is well marked and the only sign of civilization along this stretch of road. Follow this road about 1 mile, then turn right. (You may see signs to Mundy's Gap.) After a short distance, you will arrive at a parking area with a trailhead kiosk.
Urban sprawl and development are rapidly consuming this beautiful desert mountain range. A new freeway was just put up going through the middle of the range causing the closing of the park entrance. As far as I know a new entrance has yet to be made.
New neighborhoods are within less than a mile from the park. The west side of the city has already developed as far up the west side of the range as possible, mainly gated communities. Westward development is almost at a beautiful sight seeing area next to South Franklin Mt. This area people can park, picnic and in the past enjoyed beautiful desert views and views of west ELP in the distance, however now, development is closing in and within a few years only roofs of homes will be viewable.
Also, the main portion of the park which includes North Franklin MT., biking paths, camping area, rock climbing, and picnic tables is rapidly being closed in on by new community developments. On the East side of the mountains the famous Tramway & Mckelligon Canyon are also in danger. A large quarry sits right next to the Tramway and also next to the canyon entrance and this quarry is getting larger & larger every year. It is digging deeper into the range and it has already destroyed the aesthetics of Mckelligon Canyon and the Tramway. Sugarloaf Mt. already has a huge gash at its base due to this quarry.
I believe developers want to envelope the park into their plans. New gated communities would conjoin the park much like in the west side of the range. It would be a good selling point for land developers that's for sure. These new communities would basically have the park as a backyard. Easy access to all the parks ammenities and they would probably develop there own private entrance.
Please go this petition and sgn up to protect these mountains from further damage before it is too late!
Download and print the documents below and get started today. For more information contact Jim Tolbert by email at diegotolbert@gmail.com or call 915-525-7364.
dsnell - Aug 22, 2003 4:53 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentMount Franklin is located in the massive Franklin Mountains State Park, a recent addition to the Texas State Parks system. In addition to the hike up Mount Franklin, visitors can enjoy about 51 miles of excellent, challenging single track mountain biking trails. There are also a number of one-pitch sport climbs in the park. Of course, Hueco Tanks State Park is also in the area.
From afar, the Franklin Mountains appear to be brown lumps of lifeless rock. Up close however, you will find them to be full of interesting Sonoran desert flora and fauna, including Ocotillo, Spanish Dagger and other interesting desert plants.
It's hot as Hades here in the summer, but you can still enjoy the park. Just bring a lot of liquids.
grunt - Jan 22, 2006 12:44 pm - Voted 8/10
Untitled CommentThe new link for the park is http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/franklin/
surgent - Feb 28, 2006 4:53 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Untitled CommentI made the change! Thx for bringing it to my attention. -SAS
Sarah Simon - Dec 2, 2009 10:46 am - Hasn't voted
Getting There SectionHello. I just summitted North Franklin a few days ago and wanted to provide some additional information to help out-of-towners find the trailhead (in bold, below, augmented to your existing directions).
The trailhead is located on the west flanks of the range in the Franklin Mountains Preserve. Easiest way is to exit Interstate-10 onto Loop-375 (I-10 exit 6) and drive east about 4 miles to the gate and entrance to the park on the left (north) side of the road. It is well marked and the only sign of civilization along this stretch of road. Follow this road about 1 mile, then turn right. (You may see signs to Mundy's Gap.) After a short distance, you will arrive at a parking area with a trailhead kiosk.
Cheers,
Sarah
grunt - Dec 20, 2009 12:54 am - Voted 8/10
Re: Getting There SectionThanks, I'll add it!
jbp28 - Feb 18, 2015 5:58 am - Hasn't voted
Franklin Mountains Tragedy In the MakingUrban sprawl and development are rapidly consuming this beautiful desert mountain range. A new freeway was just put up going through the middle of the range causing the closing of the park entrance. As far as I know a new entrance has yet to be made.
New neighborhoods are within less than a mile from the park. The west side of the city has already developed as far up the west side of the range as possible, mainly gated communities. Westward development is almost at a beautiful sight seeing area next to South Franklin Mt. This area people can park, picnic and in the past enjoyed beautiful desert views and views of west ELP in the distance, however now, development is closing in and within a few years only roofs of homes will be viewable.
Also, the main portion of the park which includes North Franklin MT., biking paths, camping area, rock climbing, and picnic tables is rapidly being closed in on by new community developments. On the East side of the mountains the famous Tramway & Mckelligon Canyon are also in danger. A large quarry sits right next to the Tramway and also next to the canyon entrance and this quarry is getting larger & larger every year. It is digging deeper into the range and it has already destroyed the aesthetics of Mckelligon Canyon and the Tramway. Sugarloaf Mt. already has a huge gash at its base due to this quarry.
I believe developers want to envelope the park into their plans. New gated communities would conjoin the park much like in the west side of the range. It would be a good selling point for land developers that's for sure. These new communities would basically have the park as a backyard. Easy access to all the parks ammenities and they would probably develop there own private entrance.
Please go this petition and sgn up to protect these mountains from further damage before it is too late!
Download and print the documents below and get started today. For more information contact Jim Tolbert by email at diegotolbert@gmail.com or call 915-525-7364.
http://www.iloveparks.com/fmwc/2015p.pdf
T. White - Jun 25, 2023 10:34 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Franklin Mountains Tragedy In the MakingSad to hear that the tramway is now closed indefinitely.