Mountains and Basins is the region of Texas and there is nothing like it in the state. It is a desert land scenery, cliffy mountains and never-ending sky, deep-rooted culture. In the very west of Texas, one can probably not find many people, but one will also not find many exciting and unbelievable secrets that this state has. This unique corner of Texas has quite some interesting and fun geographical facts on it, starting off with natural wonders to the very ancient history.
Texas’s Highest Peak Lives Here
What most people know mountains to be found in Colorado or California but most people do not know that there really are some good mountains in Texas. Much to the excitement of the state is the highest elevation in the state which is located in this area Guadalupe Peak which is 8, 751 feet high. Guadalupe Mountains has beautiful sceneries, rugged trails and ancient fossils thus this mountain is a part of the mountains. Hiking the Guadalupe Peak is one ambitious activity that many novice adventurers have as a prospect with the view over West Texas that is just impossible to forget.
The Region Is a Desert, However it is Not a Desert in General
A segment of the Chihuahuan desert, the largest in the North America extends in Mountains and Basins region. Although the deserts are normally perceived to be boring or dry, this particular one is alive with a lot of activities taking place. It is full of cactus, desert flowers, birds, reptiles and even mammals which have evolved so as to live in the hot and arid climate. It is a scenery which can testify to you that you do not need rains to have a colorful life.
It is the Sparsely Populated Area in Texas
This part lacks the number of human population compared to the rest of Texas. It is wild land which is expansive and open. It is also a scenic getaway to the hustle bustle of cities because you can drive hours before coming across a town. Nonetheless, this silence contributes towards its intriguing nature as well. The towns, which are there, such as Marfa, Alpine, and Presidio, are striped with stories, art, and the small-town personalities that cannot be discovered anywhere.
Big Bend national Park Is a well-kept Source
Big Bend National Park is not only big among the national parks in U.S, but also among the less visited national parks. However, travellers who take the journey are well compensated with mountains, canyons of rivers, desert plateau and wild life that is not found in any other part of Texas. River Rio Grande flows on the boundary of the park shaping the natural boundary between Mexico and the park. It is where you can go hiking, camping and kayaking or just star gazing, in North America it has one of the darkest night skies.
A Stargazers dream
Talking about the stars, the Mountains and Basins region is also renowned with dark sky. Since the amount of light pollution is extremely minimal, the stars here seem to be endless. The McDonald observatory at the Davis mountains area provides the tourists with the opportunity to view the planets, constellations and galaxies through the strong telescopes. It is widely referred to as the best star gazing environment all over the nation.
The Border Is Shaped by Rio Grande
Rio Grande consists of a very crucial river in North America and it is also very important in the formation of this area. It cuts canyons and makes the desert wet giving a sense of life out of a dry area. It is also a natural line between Texas and Mexico hence a blend between both cultures occurs across this line. Rafting and canoeing Rio Grande is a famous activity that provides the sight of high canyon walls and relaxing desert landscape.
This was inhabited by ancient people.
Human habitation in the land of this region dates back to thousands of years. These lands were once the grounds of the wild games of the indigenous people such as the Jumano and Mescalero Apache who were hunter and gatherers of the desert. Their presence can be traced even today in form of rock art and pictographs at places such as Hueco Tanks. These paintings on rocks which were made centuries ago share surviving, spirituality and life stories of the people in the desert.
Elusive Lights of Marfa
Perhaps one of the most weird and controversial phenomena, Marfa Lights, was in the region. These are mysterious bright lights mysteriously floating and dashing in the desert around the town of Marfa since more than a century now. Theories have been provided by scientists and all these have ranged to car headlights and natural gases, but nobody has really known what causes them. They become one of the biggest mysteries of Texas and continue to obligate interested tourists to visit them throughout the year.
The Desert Breaks On Davis Mountains
Most of the terrain consists of flat and arid land yet the Davis Mountains are an eruption out of the desert floor. They have lower temperatures and additional rain encouraging the growth of plants and animals which cannot stand colder temperatures of the surrounding territories. These mountains have a lot of pine woods, animals and beautiful drives. Fort Davis is also located in them: an old frontier military outpost that used to defend settlers in the Wild West.
Wildlife That will Shock
Even though it is a very brutal environment there are surprising animals concentrated on this region. Mule deer, mountain lion, foxes and even black bear may be spotted on the way. Big Bend National Park is also visited by bird watchers in the hope to find the rare species of the bird. The Colima warbler, which does not exist anywhere in the U.S. Unlike, this is what bird watchers aim to find at the entrance of Big Bend National Park. Even reptiles and insects here are uncanny, such as vivid Texas horned lizard commonly referred to as a horned toad.
Conclusion
Texas Mountains and Basins region can be lonesome, but there are more stories, mysteries, and natural beauty to perceive. It has it all big mountains and hidden water sources to thousands of year old rock art and weird lights on the desert, yet there is something amazing about this wild place. It is the land of legend-history, nature in charge and a horizon that stretches to infinity. No matter what you need, adventure, peace, an alternative side of Texas really, this area has amazement at every corner ready to be revealed.
