Of the many romantic legends which abound throughout the West, few match the Lost Mine story from which the peak takes its name. Is it true? Did the mine exist? Or was it a campfire fabrication handed down from generation to generation? Early Spanish explorers of the Southwest, in their fervent search for gold and other riches, discovered and developed many mines, some yielding silver and gold. According to legend, a rich ore body was discovered on the highest point of Lost Mine Peak. Life-term

This is your guidebook for using the trail which starts at this registration desk. For about one mile of this walk the interesting plants, unusual geological features and other things of interest are explained. Each object of special interest is marked by a numbered stake. Refer to the corresponding number in this booklet, and you will find the name of the plant or feature and a description. The information recorded here is necessarily brief, but the rangers will be glad to answer your questions

14. Lechuguilla ( Agave lechuguilla ) (pronounced lay-choo- GHEE -yuh) is a small species of agave whose leaf crown somewhat resembles a bunch of green bananas, and does not belong to the cactus family. The plant is so well protected by its spine-tipped leaves that even hungry goats refrain from eating it. The fibers within the fleshy leaves are used extensively in northern Mexico for making brushes, matting, coarse twine and rope. The short stem is used as a substitute for soap. 15. Claretcup E

As an inducement for hikers desiring to continue farther along this trail, an orientation table has been constructed about 1½ miles beyond this point. The table points out the major landscape features together with their elevations. From the same general area, a spectacular view of the rugged Big Bend country may be enjoyed....

Millions of years ago, the ocean which extended from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Circle covered this part of west Texas. Muds, sands, and gravels were deposited in the bottom of that ocean. In these sands and gravels were preserved the remains of fish, shellfish, and various other forms of sea life. Tremendous pressures within the globe’s interior caused the earth’s surface to rise in this region and the waters to recede. Much of the area became swampy, forming suitable habitat for the gian

Santa Elena Canyon Mariscal Canyon (Photo by 111th Photo Sec., Texas Nat’l Guard) Big Bend is one of the newest of the great, scenic National Parks, having been established June 12, 1944. A unit of the National Park System, it is administered by the National Park Service, U. S. Department of the Interior....

MISSION 66 is a 10 year development program, now in progress, to enable the National Park Service to help you enjoy and understand the Parks and Monuments, and at the same time, preserve their scenic and scientific values for your children and for future generations....

If you are interested in the work of the National Park Service and in the cause of conservation in general, you can give active expression of this interest, and lend support by alining yourself with one of the numerous conservation organizations which act as spokesmen for those who wish our scenic heritage to be kept unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. This booklet is published in cooperation with the National Park Service by the SOUTHWESTERN MONUMENTS ASSOCIATION Box 1562-P, Gil