Emory Peak
11-9-06 Emory Peak, TX
Brewster, Emory Peak
Park: NAD27 291053.44 1025712.93 +-16
GPS: NAD27 291444.97 1031817.52 +-12
We began a hike up to the Pinnacles. I led and deciding to hike fast. Manuel and Paul followed but I lost them once we hit flat ground. Surprisingly, the trail didn’t go to the Pinnacles. It past it and continued up. I passed a group of boys carrying a flag. Their leader announced my presence shouting the command for them to clear the way. As I passed, they said “hello sir” and seemed concerned that I hiked alone.
The next group informed me that I hiked toward Emory Peak. Paul caught up and not long after we reached a trail sign indicating Emory Peak a mere 1.2 miles ahead. Being so close, we decided to scale it. Soon after, we passed the false peak and spotted a bare-rock peak with a couple antennas. I saw a few large trash bags stashed near the top hidden in the bushes then the trail disappeared. We climbed and scrambled the last 40 vertical feet and the world opened below us.
Though the lighting didn’t provide top-notch photography, the view was no less astounding. Standing atop Texas’s second tallest peak, 2,500 feet above the trailhead and over 4 miles away from it, I felt a strong feeling of accomplishment. A brisk breeze swept across the top as Paul and I gazed into the distance. About 4 minutes after we summited, I spotted Alan below. Not long after, Manuel summitted. Alan cooled off quickly without a jacket and he and Manuel soon left. Paul and I began our descent and caught up with Alan and Manuel on a switchback. I took the lead and traveling at top speed, the four of us raced back down the mountain competing for sunlight.
We descended 4.10 miles, 2,500 feet, in 1 hour and 12 minutes averaging 3.4 mph. It felt great! Darkness had fallen before we reached the parking lot but we kept pace without lights. With the haste of youth, Manuel even jogged the last leg. We regrouped below and began the drive to Rio Grande Hot Spring.
Emory Peak Gallery
Emory Peak
Emory Peak