Double Mountains (Texas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Double Mountains |
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Double Mountains, viewed from the south
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2580+ feet (786+ m) |
| Prominence | 540 ft (160 m) |
| Geography | |
 Double Mountains
Location in Texas
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| Location | Stonewall County, Texas, U.S. |
| Parent range | Plains of Central Texas |
| Topo map | USGS Double Mountains |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Cretaceous (Comanche Series) |
| Mountain type | Erosional remnant |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Drive/hike |
The Double Mountains are two flat-topped hills called buttes. They are located about 13 miles (21 km) southwest of Aspermont, Texas in Stonewall County, Texas.
Official maps from the United States Geological Survey show the western mountain is about 2,523 feet (769 m) high. The eastern mountain is even taller, between 2,580 and 2,600 feet (786 and 792 m) high. These mountains help separate the water flow for two rivers: the Salt Fork Brazos River and the Double Mountain Fork Brazos River.
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Why are the Double Mountains Important?
The eastern mountain is the highest point in Stonewall County. It rises about 500 to 800 feet (150–250 m) above the land around it. This makes it a very noticeable landmark.
It is the most prominent point for almost 160 miles (260 km). The next taller peak is Mount Scott in Oklahoma. Because they stand out so much, the Double Mountains can be seen from far away. You can also get amazing views from their tops.
Historical Significance of the Mountains
These mountains have been important landmarks for a long time. In 1788, Jose Mares created a trail from San Antonio to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Double Mountains were key markers on this trail. They were also a meeting spot for buffalo hunters.
In 1849, a group led by Randolph B. Marcy also mentioned the mountains in their surveys. Later, the Comanche leader Quanah Parker and his group lived near these mountains. Some say the mountains were once a sacred place for the Comanches.
Getting to the Double Mountains
You cannot drive directly to the mountains on paved roads. However, you can reach them using paved Farm to Market Roads 2211 and 610. From there, you can use dirt county roads.
A steep dirt road goes up to the top of each mountain. There is a large radio tower on the eastern summit.
Town of Double Mountain
A town named Double Mountain used to exist a few miles north of the hills. It was started in 1886. The community had a post office, a sheriff, and a schoolhouse. It also had Methodist and Baptist churches.
This town was active in the late 1800s and early 1900s. But by the 1980s, it had become a ghost town. This means no one lived there anymore.
