{{short description|Mountain in Texas, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox mountain | name = Emory Peak | image = Trail junction and Emory Peak.JPG | image_alt = | image_caption = Emory Peak from the Basin | elevation_ft = 7825 | elevation_ref = {{ngvd29}}<ref name="pb">{{cite peakbagger |id=4333 |name=Emory Peak, Texas |accessdate=}}</ref> | prominence_ft = 4485 | prominence_ref = <ref name="pb"/> | range = Chisos Mountains | listing = Most prominent peak in Texas <ref name="pb"/> | parent_peak = | location = | map = Texas | map_caption = | map_size = | label = Emory Peak | label_position = bottom | coordinates = {{coord|29.2459|N|103.3051|W|type:mountain_region:US-TX_scale:100000_source:gnis|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | range_coordinates = | coordinates_ref = <ref name="gnis">{{cite gnis |id=1357017 |name=Emory Peak |accessdate=}}</ref> | topo = USGS Emory Peak | last_eruption = | first_ascent = | easiest_route = Trail hike and scramble }} '''Emory Peak''', located in Big Bend National Park, is the highest peak in the Chisos Mountains and the highest in Brewster County.<ref name="pb"/> The peak is named for William H. Emory, the chief surveyor of the U.S. Boundary Survey team of 1852. From the Chisos Basin the peak appears to be a minor ridge, while the summit of Casa Grande, one mile closer, seems to be much taller. From the west, Emory Peak is clearly visible as a point slightly higher than most of the mountain range.
The peak can be reached by a moderate hike on a well-marked path across steep rocky terrain with an elevation gain of approximately {{convert|2500|ft|m}}. The Emory Peak Trail is about {{convert|1.5|mi}} long.<ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/chisos-dayhikes.htm |title=Day Hikes in the Chisos Mountains |publisher=National Park Service |accessdate=2011-05-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228215004/http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/chisos-dayhikes.htm |archivedate=2011-02-28 }}</ref> The trail is reached by climbing the Pinnacles Trail {{convert|3.5|mi}} from the Chisos Basin trailhead. Once at the base there is a semi-technical rock scramble to navigate before reaching the summit. No gear is needed for this climb although hikers should take great care. High-desert flora and fauna including alligator juniper (''Juniperus deppeana''), pinyon pine (''Pinus cembroides''), mule deer (''Odocoileus hemionus''), prickly pear cacti (''Opuntia'' spp.), Mexican jay (''Aphelocoma wollweberi''), sotol (''Dasylirion leiophyllum''), and Texas madrone (''Arbutus xalapensis'') may be seen along the trail. There are signs warning of mountain lions and bears.
The view from the top takes in most of the northern section of the park and a good portion of the Chisos range to the south. One surprise at the top, during the right season, is the population of ladybugs on the summit. There are solar panels, radio transmission equipment, and antennas at the top.
{{wide image|Emory Peak's summit.jpg|1000px|Panoramic view from the summit of Emory Peak}} {{wide image|Basin from Emory Peak.JPG|800px|The Basin from the summit}}
==See also== {{portal|Texas|Mountains}} *Chihuahuan Desert *Guadalupe Peak {{clear}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{sister project links}} *{{cite summitpost |id=150568 |name=Emory Peak |accessdate=2011-05-15}} *{{Gnis|1357017|Emory Peak}} *{{Handbook of Texas|id=rje12|name=Emory Peak}}
{{Mountains of Texas}}
Category:Mountains of Texas Category:Highest points of United States national parks Category:Landforms of Brewster County, Texas Category:Big Bend National Park