Pine Peak is the 5th highest summit in the Davis Mountains, and at 7,710' above sea level, it is also the 15th highest point in the state. This summit is located entirely within the Davis Mountains Preserve which is owned and maintained by The Nature Conservancy. Although the area is only open to hikers a few times a year, the conservation efforts have preserved this area as a truly wild part of the state. As evidenced by its moniker, there are numerous stands of pine trees on the slopes of this mountain; the shady, rocky nature of this peak provides an especially good home to black bears and mountain lions in addition to all other manner of animals you wouldn't expect to find in Texas. Both whitetail and mule deer frequent this area of the Davis Mountains as well.

Like the rest of the Davis Mountains, Pine Peak is volcanic in its origin. An ancient basalt lava flow causes the mesa-like nature of this mountain, however, a younger igneous intrusion makes up the summit block. The forces of erosion of the millenia have left a precipitous cliff along much of the edge of Pine Peak's summit. Similar morphology (older lava flow intruded by rising magma) can be found on the other highest specimens within the range such as Mt. Livermore, Mescalero Mountain & Brooks Mountain.

One of the most interesting features of this mountain is the cleverly-named Pine Peak Lake. This tarn is most likely the highest body of standing water in the State of Texas, and even in dry years persists annually. Some fish have been seen living in this high bastion, but it isn't widely known if they occur natually or have been stocked.

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2009.07.25 - It's been a loooong time since I've climbed anything new! That realization led me to plan a trip out to West Texas to coincide with one of the Open Access days at the Nature Conservancy’s preserve in the Davis Mountains. On previous trips, my goals had been the 8000' mountains in the area. This time, however, my goal was solitude. Pine Peak isn’t the highest anything, but it is a scenic and enjoyable mountain in its own right. After an enjoyable albeit long drive between the Forts (Worth to Davis), complete with a dip in the refreshing waters of a spring-fed lake in Balmorhea State Park, I found myself waking up early on the 25th to start making my way up to Pine Peak.

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