Mushaway Peak

Mushaway Peak
Mushaway Peak viewed from the west
Highest point
Elevation2,851 ft (869 m)[1]
Prominence380 ft (120 m)
Coordinates32°43′26″N 101°24′03″W / 32.72389°N 101.40083°W / 32.72389; -101.40083[1]
Geography
Mushaway Peak is located in Texas
Mushaway Peak
Mushaway Peak
Topo mapMushaway Peak Quadrangle
Geology
Age of rockQuaternary, Cretaceous
Mountain typeButte

Mushaway Peak is a small but conspicuous butte located 4 mi (6.4 km) southeast of Gail in central Borden County, Texas. It is one of the region's most venerable landmarks.[2]

The summit of this peak rises to an altitude of 2,851 ft (869 m) above sea level, which is roughly the same altitude as the High Plains of the Llano Estacado 10 mi (16 km) to the northwest. Mushaway Peak is in fact an erosional remnant of what was once a much larger Llano Estacado that has gradually retreated by the process of headward erosion.[3] Its resistant cap has protected its underlying sediments, which have remained intact while surrounding sediments have been eroded away by Grape Creek and Bull Creek, two tributaries of the upper Colorado River.[2]

  1. ^ a b "Mushaway Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ a b Anonymous. "Mushaway Peak". Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
  3. ^ Murrah, D.J. 2000. Mushaway or Muchaque? A hill by any other name… The Cyclone (Newsletter of the West Texas Historical Association) 7(2):1-2.