Hiking on top of Texas

Here's a shot of some Master Naturalists hiking to the top of Mt. Livermore, located inside the Davis Mountains Preserve of the Texas Nature Conservancy. 

At the Tip Top

What's this? Why the very tippity-tip of Mt. Livermore, the 5th highest peak in Texas known as Baldy Peak. Since 97 percent of Texas is privately-held land, you're in luck with Baldy-- the land is owned by the Nature Conservancy and they have open house days that allow guests to explore their small part of the Davis Mountains.

Interesting fact: Baldy Peak was the location of a very sacred site to the Livermore people and they buried almost 2,000 arrowheads there as offerings. Read the whole story in Texas Monthly, written by F.t Davis Historian Lonn Taylor.

Here's a view once you get to the top of Baldy:

Recruiting NOW, Texas Master Naturalists!



Desert Bighorn Sheep
taken at Elephant Mountain during Texas Master
Naturalist training by Rich Gatchell
Class of 2012

Now Accepting Applications! The Tierra Grande Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program is accepting applications for its 2013 new member training program. Training this year will begin with a July evening “Kick Off” session in Alpine followed by four weekends starting in August and ending in October.

Mt. Livermore hike
photo by Monte Riggs
Class of 2012

Training weekends will be held at Davis Mountains Preserve, Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, Balmorhea State Park, Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area and Big Bend Ranch State Park.

The Tierra Grande Chapter is a non-profit volunteer organization serving Brewster, Jeff Davis, Presidio counties and the greater Big Bend Region. Their mission is to develop a corps of well-educated master volunteers to provide education, outreach and service dedicated toward the beneficial management of natural resources within our communities.

Desert Bighorn Sheep by Rich Gatchell

Application deadline is May 15, 2013 with class size limited to 14 new members. For applications and further information contact:

Sandy Lynch

Training Committee

Tierra Grande Chapter, Texas Master Naturalists

http://txmn.org/tierra/

713-412-1833

Could YOU be a Master Naturalist?

Tierra Grande Chapter Master Naturalists climb
Mt. Livermore as part of their training in the
Davis Mountains Preserve

Now Accepting Applications!!

The Tierra Grande Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program is accepting applications for its 2013 new member training program. Training this year will begin with a July evening “Kick Off” session in Alpine followed by four weekends starting in August and ending in October.

Juvenile Shorthorned Lizard examined as part of
Texas Master Naturalist training

Training weekends will be held at Davis Mountains Preserve,

Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, Balmorhea State Park, Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area and Big Bend Ranch State Park.



Master Naturalists in Training consult a topo
map of Big Bend Ranch State Park with park
interpreter, Blaine Hall

The Tierra Grande Chapter is a non-profit volunteer organization serving Brewster, Jeff Davis, Presidio counties and the greater Big Bend Region. Their mission is to develop a corps of well-educated master volunteers to provide 

Class of 2011, Tierra Grande Texas Master Naturalists

education, outreach and service dedicated toward the beneficial management of natural resources within our communities.

Application deadline is May 15, 2013 with class size limited to 14 new

members. For applications and further information contact:

Sandy Lynch

Training Committee

Tierra Grande Chapter, Texas Master Naturalists

http://txmn.org/tierra/


713-412-1833

View of the Davis Mountains, Hiking down from Mt Livermore

High in the Davis Mountains, hiking down from the summit of Mt Livermore we're treated to some of the best views anywhere.  Owned by The Nature Conservancy, this unique place is protected for us to enjoy.  From their website:  "Rising above the Chihuahuan desert, the range forms a unique “sky island” surrounded by the lowland desert. Animals and plants living above 5,000 feet are isolated from other similar mountain ranges by vast distances. These are true ecological islands, preserving living remnants that occur otherwise nowhere else in Texas."

Open public access is available on special days set aside by The Nature Conservancy.  Next on the schedule may be a few months away, but it is a special one....so plan ahead.  Why not come out to the mountains to select and cut your own Christmas Tree, December 3 or 10?

Ridgeline of Mt. Livermore

The high ridgeline of the Davis Mountains lights up just after dawn. Highest point is 8,378-foor Mt. Livermore, visible from several points along the Scenic Loop.

Mt. Livermore is part of the Davis Mountains Presere, where there's an Open Day on March 12.  Read more here.

We've started a page on the Scenic Loop for our website's cycling section...take a look at this page in progress, here!

Mt. Livermore

Centerpiece of the Davis Mountains is Mt. Livermore, named after an early government surveyor. The dramatic volcanic intrusion, sometimes snowy in winter, tops out at 8,378 feet. It's the fifth highest peak in Texas, just less than several adjacent peaks atop the Guadalupe Mountains straddling the Texas-New Mexico border. Those rightfully claim the "highest in Texas."

Text and photo from Pete Szilagyi of Fort Davis. Thanks, Pete!