Hike to North Franklin Peak

El Paso is a sprawling city that is remarkably split by the Franklin Mountains. By driving up the Transmountain Road you can get a view of city, but stopping at Franklin State Park and climbing the North Franklin Mountain Peak you can top the city!

To start, enter Franklin State Park and pay the entry fee ($5). Park at the trailhead (first right into the park). From here head up the rocky mining road and follow the trail to Mundy’s Gap (first left at the trail junction). The mining road winds left through the valley to Mundy’s Gap on a old road, an easy trail.

Once atop Mundy’s Gap (the saddle) you can take break on the often refreshing windy bench, and then continue down the slight descent on the east side of the mountain to the final part of the ascent. (At the sign go right toward the summit).

Continue to follow the mining road up to the summit. Thankfully the mining road’s use of loose rock lessens as it ascends. Due to it’s prior use of as a road it ascends at a gradual grade, and easily follows the trail until you reach the summit! 

(Time of day is paramount in Texas! In the spring and fall months the heat is much less. Summer is obviously HOT heat! But starting early and late will afford you shade on the east/west side of the mountain with the sun's position.)

Once at the summit, R-E-L-A-X, and enjoy the view where you can see endless views Texas, New Mexico and the Mexican border. Overall, this is not a popular trail (surprisingly due to it's central location) so you are more than likely to enjoy the hike and summit alone (surprisingly since this peak is in the middle of El Paso).