Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Lisa Corcoran and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net [Illustration: (_The cover photograph of this booklet is furnished through the courtesy of Peter Koch._)] LOST MINE TRAIL BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK TEXAS PRICE 10 CENTS IF YOU TAKE THIS BOOKLET HOME LEGEND OF THE LOST MINE _Of the many romantic legends which abound throughout the West, few match the Lost Mine story from which the peak takes its name. Is it true? Did the mine exist? Or was it a campfire fabrication handed down from generation to generation?_ Early Spanish explorers of the Southwest, in their fervent search for gold and other riches, discovered and developed many mines, some yielding silver and gold. According to legend, a rich ore body was discovered on the highest point of Lost Mine Peak. Life-term prisoners were forced to work the mine. These men were blindfolded on several occasions in their march from the Presidio in San Vicente, Mexico, to prevent them from learning its location. The ruins of this presidio may still be observed some 20 miles southwest of this peak across the Rio Grande in Mexico. A story relates how the fierce Comanche Indians, who resented the Spaniards’ invasion of their homeland and hunting grounds, attacked and killed them to the last man. The last act, so goes the story, was to seal the mine entrance to prevent further exploitation. Legend states that if a person stands in the chapel door of San Vicente’s Mission on Easter morn, he can watch the sun’s first rays strike Lost Mine Peak at the exact mine entrance. [Illustration: _Lost Mine Peak in the Chisos Mountains_ (Photo by 111th Photo Sec., Texas Nat’l Guard)] LOST MINE TRAIL This is your guidebook for using the trail which starts at this registration desk. For about one mile of this walk the interesting plants, unusual geological features and other things of interest are explained. _Each object of special interest is marked by a numbered stake._ Refer to the corresponding number in this booklet, and you will find the name of the plant or feature and a description. The information recorded here is necessarily brief, but the rangers will be glad to answer your questions and give additional information. 1. Evergreen Sumac (_Rhus virens_). This sumac is commonly found in Green Gulch and through the Chisos Mountains. It bears attractive clusters of small white flowers followed by red berries which are seen in the late autumn and winter. 2. Alligator Juniper (_Juniperus deppeana_). Observe alligator skin-like bark of the tree which easily identifies this evergreen and gives it its name. Under favorable conditions the species attains an age in excess of 500 years.