Stonewall County High Point Trip Report

Double Mountains (2,580+ ft)

Date: March 13, 2002
Author: Scott Surgent

After we did the Glasscock county highpoint, we drove into Big Spring so I could go get my truck, where I was having a flat tire patched after I caught a nail in it the previous night. Bob Martin and I agreed to meet up in the town of Aspermont a couple hours later, about a 100-mile drive. During these trips we always agreed to meet at the first "nice-looking" gas station, and in these towns, there usually is just one or two. Every small town in Texas has either a T&C or an Allsup's. Sure enough, we found one another at the Aspermont T&C on the south end of town at about 2 p.m. The weather had warmed up pretty good - almost in the 90s!

On the agenda was the Stonewall County highpoint, an impressively large (for this part of Texas) and isolated range located in the southwest part of the county. It appears to have been one long mesa that over the years eroded into about 2 - 3 distinct parts, but there are no other similar mesas or mountains anywhere from horizon to horizon. In any case, we drove in Bob's truck again, taking a paved route (FM-2211) about 10 miles west and a series of good dirt roads another 5 - 6 miles south toward the base of the peaks. We had to pass through 2 gates. From below we could see radio towers on top and a steep road cut into the side - rather unattractive, but at least it offered a route to the top.

The road obviously gets use and is okay, but it is very steep and we decided to hike it anyway. We simply followed the road as it snaked up the north side, made one switchback, then ended at some small buildings on top. In the heat, we went very slowly, taking our time and watching for the loose pebbles. Nevertheless, it only took about a half-hour to make the mile-plus hike and about 500 feet of gain. The highpoint is marked by a USGS benchmark at the east end of the top, with two witness markers. A rocky promontory nearby allowed for some incredible views. The land is truly flat as far as the eye can see, making this isolated range a true anomaly.

We ate lunch then made our way down, arriving back at Bob's truck for a total round trip of slightly over an hour. We drove back into Aspermont, where we parted ways. While in Aspermont, I got to wondering how many of the locals have ever hiked up the Double Mountains. My guess is probably around zero. The town itself is pretty typical small-town Texas.