The Guadalupe Mountains hold what some call the most beautiful spot in
Texas. Once home to the Mescalero Apaches, McKittrick Canyon is an
alluring wonderland of lush and abundant flora and fauna. It is named
for Captain Felix McKittrick, who acquired the land for ranching in
1869. Legends of lost Spanish gold mines drew many unsuccessful
prospectors before the turn of the century. Later, through the
monumental efforts of early landowners J.C. Hunter Sr. and Wallace
Pratt, the canyon was preserved as a pristine portion of the Guadalupe
Mountains National Park. Each fall, eager visitors witness a vibrant
show headlined by bigtooth maple and a variety of oak trees. Join author
Donna Blake Birchell in an exploration of McKittrick Canyon's colorful
history.