Davis Mountains State Park – Skyline Drive Trail

Davis Mountains State Park – Skyline Drive Trail

Monday, August 24, 2020

Davis Mountains State Park Skyline Drive Trail is a favorite.  In my forties, I hiked the trail starting at the trailhead next to the Interpretive Center, hiked all the way to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Overlook at the end of Skyline Drive and back.   It took most of the day and I was worn out at the end.

Annotated Davis Mountains State Park Trail Map
Annotated Davis Mountains State Park Trail Map

Older and hopefully wiser, my wife drove me up Skyline Drive to its end.  I told her I would meet her back in the campsite before lunch.   Then I turned and headed off toward the CCC Overlook on the way to find the trailhead.   The trail is easier starting at the higher end  and hiking it one way.

CCC Overlook / Stone Shelter At The End Of Skyline Drive
CCC Overlook / Stone Shelter At The End Of Skyline Drive

I passed the CCC Overlook around 8:00 AM and returned back to camp by 11:00 AM.  Three hours.  The hardest part of the trail is the steep switch backs on the side of Keesey Canyon, the canyon where the Amphitheater is located.

Old CCC Trail Trailhead Marker
Old CCC Trail Trailhead Kiosk

There isn’t a Skyline Drive Trail kiosk at this end of the Skyline Drive Trail.  There is an Old CCC Trail trailhead kiosk close by the CCC Overlook/Stone Shelter.  Three trails start in the same little area.  Old CCC Trail, Skyline Drive Trail and Fort Access Trail.

Cairn With Sign - "Take Stairs Down To Old CCC Trail"
Cairn With Sign – “Take Stairs Down To Old CCC Trail”

Follow the trail signs and stone cairn markers to the beginning of the Old CCC Trail.

View Near The Three Trail Intersection
View Near The Three Trail Intersection

On the way to the Old CCC Trail trailhead, enjoy the views.  In the above picture, the camera is looking toward Fort Davis.  Most, but not all, of Fort Davis is hidden from view by mountains.

Stone Stairs Down To Three Trailheads
Stone Stairs Down To Three Trailheads

After hiking down the narrow stairway hewn from the mountains rock, look for the signs.

Skyline Drive and Old CCC Trail Marker
Skyline Drive and Old CCC Trail Marker

Skyline Drive Trail is on the right.  The intersection of the three trails has great views on both sides.

Limpia Creek
Limpia Creek and TX-118

In the above picture, taken on the Old CCC Trail side of the mountain, is a view of Limpia Creek and TX-118.

Skyline Drive Trail
Skyline Drive Trail

This is how Skyline Drive Trail begins.  The trail runs flat and wide for some distance before narrowing and becoming more rugged.

Skyline Drive Trail Turns Up Toward Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive Trail Spur Turns Up Toward Skyline Drive

A Skyline Drive Trail spur heads up to the Skyline Drive.  Turn right (up hill) to take the trail spur to Skyline Drive.

Trail Crosses Skyline Drive
Spur Trail Ends At Skyline Drive

The view from the road where the trail spur ends is good.   Skyline drive flows around a water cistern on the left of the above picture.

Rugged High Desert Mountain Terrain
Rugged High Desert Mountain Terrain

Instead of taking the spur, stay to the left.  The trail becomes more rugged and narrow in parts.

Skyline Drive Trail Crossing Skyline Drive
Skyline Drive Trail Crossing Skyline Drive

Here, the trail crosses Skyline Drive to run (sort of) parallel to the Old CCC Trail for a while.

Old CCC Trail As Seen From Skyline Drive Trail
Old CCC Trail As Seen From Skyline Drive Trail

The Old CCC Trail can be seen from Skyline Drive Trail in places.   In this trail section, the Old CC Trail parallels Skyline Drive Trail.

Skyline Drive Trail Kiosk
Skyline Drive Trail Kiosk

Further down the trail, a public restroom on Skyline Drive comes into view as well as this trail kiosk/marker.  The signage marks a short trail connecting Skyline Drive Trail to Old CCC Trail.

Skyline Drive Restroom Seen From Skyline Drive Trail
Skyline Drive Restroom Seen From Skyline Drive Trail

The trail in the opposite direction goes to the only restroom on Skyline Drive.  Nature was calling.  Regrettably, the restroom was closed so nature went unanswered.

Limpia Creek and TX-118
Limpia Creek and TX-118

The trail continues on, crossing the Limpia Creek side of the mountain.

Limpia Creek And TX-118
Limpia Creek And TX-118

The trail leads further up the mountain and will eventually cross Skyline Drive again at the higher of the two scenic overlooks.  On the way up, hikers should turn around to look back on where they have been.

Three Largest McDonald Observatory Telescopes
Three Largest McDonald Observatory Telescopes

Looking past Limpia Creek, hikers can catch glimpses of the McDonald Observatory‘s three largest telescopes.

Old CCC Trail From Above
Old CCC Trail From Above

The Old CCC Trail can be seen paralleling this section of trail.  The Old CCC Trail is quite a distance downhill.

Views Toward Fort Davis
Views Toward Fort Davis

This section of trail provides a great variety of views.  The above view is looking back toward the trail starting point.

View Toward Marfa
View Toward Marfa

The above view is looking toward Marfa.

Skyline Drive Crossing
Skyline Drive Crossing

Hikers crossing Skyline Drive at the middle scenic overlook should exercise caution.  Drivers can’t easily see hikers and hikers can’t easily see cars.

Telecommunications Equipment
Telecommunications Equipment

This structure, damaged in past range/forest fires, has become an anchor for communications equipment.  The structure is at a high point at the scenic overlook.  This is the highest point in the park that can be driven to.  From here, the trail will wind downhill in fits a spurts to the campgrounds.

Keesey Canyon Overlook
Keesey Canyon Overlook

The steepest parts of the trail start at the Keesey Canyon Overlook.

Trail Wraps Around The Hill
Trail Wraps Around The Hill

At first, the trail slope is somewhat gentle, wrapping around the mountain until rapidly dropping down to the Amphitheater.

Typical Switchback
Typical Switchback

Not all switchbacks are created equal.  Some, like the one above, are extra steep.  Others like the one below are moderately steep.

Hiker Navigating Switchbacks
Hiker Navigating Switchbacks

The hiker coming up was making good time.     We will soon pass each other.

Footbridge Crossing Dry Creek
Footbridge Crossing Dry Creek

Three footbridges cross over the dry creek bed at the bottom of the canyon.  This is a view of the bridge from right before the trail is at its steepest point.

Keesey Canyon Bridge
Keesey Canyon Bridge

After reaching the bridge,  the trail flattens out as it follows the dry creek bed.

Second Keesey Canyon Bridge
Second Keesey Canyon Bridge

The second bridge’s construction is much like the first.

Amphitheater On Left, Trail On Right
Amphitheater On Left, Trail On Right

The trail passes the Amphitheater on the right.  Just past the Amphitheater, the trail turns right to cross the dry creek bed one more time.

Third Keesey Canyon Bridge
Third Keesey Canyon Bridge

The third and last bridge, leads to the final section of the trail.

Trail Following Dry Creek Bed
Trail Following Dry Creek Bed

This trail section is mostly flat and follows the dry creek bed.

Up The Trail Toward The Trailhead
Up The Trail Toward The Trailhead

At the end of the trail, hikers climb out of the creek bed toward the Interpretive Center parking lot.    The picture above shows the Trailhead Sign from behind.

Skyline Drive Trail Trailhead Marker
Skyline Drive Trail Trailhead Kiosk

Trailhead Sign/Marker/Kiosks provide trail maps.

Interpretive Center
Interpretive Center

The Interpretive center is next to the trailhead.

Hope to see you on the road ahead!

 

 

 

 

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