Davis Mountains
{{Short description|Range of mountains in West Texas, United States}}
{{For|the Texas wine region around the Davis Mountains|Texas Davis Mountains AVA}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox mountain
|name=Davis Mountains
|other_name=Limpia Mountains
|photo=Davis Mountains.jpg
|photo_size=
|photo_caption=View from Remington Ridge
|country=United States
|state=Texas
|highest=Baldy Peak atop Mount Livermore
|elevation_ft=8383
|coordinates = {{coord|30|38|N|104|10|W|type:mountain_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|geology=Igneous
|period=Paleogene
|map= Texas
|map_size= 250px
|map_alt=
}}
The Davis Mountains, originally known as Limpia Mountains, are a range of mountains in West Texas, United States, located near Fort Davis, after which they are named. The fort was named for then-United States Secretary of War and later Confederate President Jefferson Davis. They are a popular site for camping and hiking and the region includes Fort Davis National Historic Site and Davis Mountains State Park. The historical and architectural value of the fort, alongside the rugged natural environment of the park are a significant destination for tourism in Texas."Davis Mountains State Park," [https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/davis-mountains], accessed 24 Jun 2019
Most of the land in the Davis Mountains is under private ownership as ranch land, but the Nature Conservancy owns or has conservation easements on more than {{convert|100000|acre|ha}}.
Description
Rather than being a single coherent range, the Davis Mountains are an irregular jumble of isolated peaks and ridges separated by flatter areas. The mountains occupy a rough square about {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} on each side. The mountains are of volcanic origin composed of strata associated with eruptions of the Trans-Pecos Volcanic Field 35 million years ago.[http://gsabulletin.gsapubs.org/content/106/11/1359.short "{{Super|40}}Ar/{{super|39}}Ar chronology and volcanology of silicic volcanism in the Davis Mountains, Trans-Pecos Texas"], {{doi|10.1130/0016-7606(1994)106<1359:AACAVO>2.3.CO;2}} Geological Society of America Bulletin November 1994 v. 106 no. 11 p. 1359-1376, accessed September 13, 2010 The highest peak in the Davis Mountains is Mount Livermore at {{convert|2555|m|ft|abbr=on}} the fifth-highest peak in Texas.
Vegetation
The Davis Mountains are a sky island, an isolated mountain range surrounded by desert. The town of Fort Davis at the foot of the Davis Mountains has an elevation of {{convert|1500|m|ft|abbr=on}}. From that elevation, the sky island rises to {{convert|2555|m|ft|abbr=on}}. As the elevation increases, average temperatures decline and precipitation increases, permitting an "island" of forest and other mesic habitat at higher elevations.
File:Texas Spurs 77 and 78.jpg
The most common vegetation of the Davis Mountains is montane grassland, often mixed with scattered bushes and trees. As is common in most Northern Hemisphere semiarid climates, the vegetation on the southern slopes of the mountains is noticeably sparser than on the northern slopes. This is due to the greater exposure to the sun on southern slopes, thus warmer temperatures and drier soils.{{cite journal |last=Cottle |first=H. J. |year=1932 |title=Vegetation on North and South Slopes of Mountains in Southwestern Texas |journal=Ecology |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=121–134 |doi=10.2307/1931063 |jstor=1931063 }}
Mixed in with the grassland, and usually at higher elevations, are four woodland and forest zones. First, at elevations below {{convert|1900|m|ft|abbr=on}} and at higher, drier elevations, the dominant tree species is the alligator juniper mixed with oak species and pinyon pine. Secondly, woodlands with pinyon pine as the most common species are found on steep slopes at elevations of {{convert|1750|to|2400|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Third, woodlands in which the gray oak is the most common tree and mixed with other oak species are also found on steep slopes at elevations of {{convert|1900|to|2400|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The gray oak woodlands are found in slightly moister soils than the pinyon woodlands.{{cite journal|last1=Poulos|display-authors=et al|first1=Helen M.|title=A hierarchical approach for scaling forest inventory and fuels data from local to landscape scales in the Davis Mountains, Texas, USA|journal=Forest Ecology and Management|date=2007|volume=244|issue=1–3 |pages=1–15|doi=10.1016/j.foreco.2007.03.033}}
The richest and most diverse of the woodlands and forests in the Davis Mountains are the mesic forests found from {{convert|1770|to|2330|m|ft|abbr=on}}. These forests are found in stream valleys and other well-watered areas. Indicator species are ponderosa pine and southwestern white pine, plus two small groves of quaking aspen at elevations of {{convert|2300|m|ft|abbr=on}} at the base of the cliffs surrounding the summit of Mount Livermore. Aspens are more characteristic of the higher elevations in the Rocky Mountains. The mesic woodlands are remnants of past glacial ages in which the climate of West Texas was more humid and cooler than at present.{{cite journal|last1=Palmer|first1=Ernest J.|title=The Ligneous Flora of the Davis Mountains, Texas |journal=Journal of the Arnold Arboretum |year=1929 |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=13, 32, 37 |doi=10.5962/p.333861 |jstor=43780504 |s2cid=247211921 |doi-access=free }}
Fauna
Over 277 species of birds have been seen at Davis Mountains State Park."Birdwatching," https://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/hotspots/100-davis-mountains-state-park-fort-davis-texas/, accessed 17 May 2017 Many species found here are characteristic of more northerly mountain climes or alternatively of nearby Mexico, including 10 species of hummingbirds. Large mammals found here include whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, black bear, cougar, pronghorn, peccary, and introduced species such as aoudad and feral hogs. There is only one record of a grizzly bear in Texas; it was killed in the Davis Range in 1890. Several private ranches in the Davis Mountains offer hunting opportunities.[https://fortdavis.com/category/activities/hunting/ Fort Davis Texas]; [https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/texas/placesweprotect/davis-mountains-preserve.xml The Nature Conservancy], accessed 17 May 2017{{cite web |last1=Nelle |first1=Steve |title=Lions, Tigers, and Bears of Texas |url=https://www.texas-wildlife.org/resources/publications/lions-tigers-and-bears-of-texas |website=Texas Wildlife Association |access-date=2021-01-19 |archive-date=2021-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613203255/https://www.texas-wildlife.org/resources/publications/lions-tigers-and-bears-of-texas |url-status=dead }}
Climate
Nearly all of the Davis Mountains fall into the climate classification of BS (semiarid steppe) in the Köppen climate classification system. However, the highest elevations may transition into a cooler, wetter Cfb climate (subtropical humid with warm summers).
{{Weather box
|location = Mount Locke, Texas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1935–present; elevation {{cvt|6790|ft|m}}
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high F = 80
|Feb record high F = 88
|Mar record high F = 88
|Apr record high F = 94
|May record high F = 96
|Jun record high F = 104
|Jul record high F = 104
|Aug record high F = 104
|Sep record high F = 96
|Oct record high F = 94
|Nov record high F = 82
|Dec record high F = 80
|Jan avg record high F = 69.8
|Feb avg record high F = 72.8
|Mar avg record high F = 79.9
|Apr avg record high F = 84.7
|May avg record high F = 91.3
|Jun avg record high F = 95.8
|Jul avg record high F = 94.0
|Aug avg record high F = 91.6
|Sep avg record high F = 88.9
|Oct avg record high F = 85.3
|Nov avg record high F = 76.8
|Dec avg record high F = 70.5
|year avg record high F = 97.4
|Jan high F = 55.1
|Feb high F = 59.2
|Mar high F = 66.2
|Apr high F = 73.2
|May high F = 80.9
|Jun high F = 86.8
|Jul high F = 85.0
|Aug high F = 83.8
|Sep high F = 79.0
|Oct high F = 73.5
|Nov high F = 63.5
|Dec high F = 55.8
|year high F =
|Jan mean F = 43.7
|Feb mean F = 47.0
|Mar mean F = 52.8
|Apr mean F = 59.3
|May mean F = 67.1
|Jun mean F = 73.1
|Jul mean F = 72.3
|Aug mean F = 71.6
|Sep mean F = 67.0
|Oct mean F = 61.0
|Nov mean F = 51.4
|Dec mean F = 44.6
|year mean F =
|Jan low F = 32.3
|Feb low F = 34.8
|Mar low F = 39.4
|Apr low F = 45.3
|May low F = 53.3
|Jun low F = 59.3
|Jul low F = 59.6
|Aug low F = 59.4
|Sep low F = 55.1
|Oct low F = 48.5
|Nov low F = 39.4
|Dec low F = 33.4
|year low F =
|Jan avg record low F = 15.7
|Feb avg record low F = 18.4
|Mar avg record low F = 21.2
|Apr avg record low F = 27.7
|May avg record low F = 38.3
|Jun avg record low F = 49.2
|Jul avg record low F = 53.5
|Aug avg record low F = 53.9
|Sep avg record low F = 43.6
|Oct avg record low F = 29.6
|Nov avg record low F = 19.5
|Dec avg record low F = 14.5
|year avg record low F = 10.7
|Jan record low F = -10
|Feb record low F = -6
|Mar record low F = 4
|Apr record low F = 11
|May record low F = 24
|Jun record low F = 34
|Jul record low F = 40
|Aug record low F = 40
|Sep record low F = 29
|Oct record low F = 14
|Nov record low F = 8
|Dec record low F = -2
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.62
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.49
|Mar precipitation inch = 0.43
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.51
|May precipitation inch = 1.38
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.50
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.99
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.45
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.96
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.40
|Nov precipitation inch = 0.67
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.58
|year precipitation inch =
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 3.3
|Feb precipitation days = 2.8
|Mar precipitation days = 2.6
|Apr precipitation days = 2.6
|May precipitation days = 5.6
|Jun precipitation days = 9.0
|Jul precipitation days = 12.8
|Aug precipitation days = 12.1
|Sep precipitation days = 10.1
|Oct precipitation days = 6.1
|Nov precipitation days = 3.4
|Dec precipitation days = 3.2
|Jan snow inch = 1.8
|Feb snow inch = 1.0
|Mar snow inch = 0.1
|Apr snow inch = 0.0
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.1
|Nov snow inch = 0.4
|Dec snow inch = 2.8
|year snow inch =
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 1.1
|Feb snow days = 0.7
|Mar snow days = 0.1
|Apr snow days = 0.0
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.2
|Dec snow days = 1.6
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00416104&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: MT Locke, TX
|access-date = May 7, 2023
}}
|source 2 = National Weather Service
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=maf
|publisher = National Weather Service
|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Midland
|access-date = May 7, 2023
}}
}}
Conservation
File:Davis Mountains Preserve 2.JPG
Most of the Davis Mountains are under private ownership. However, since 1996, the Nature Conservancy has acquired 33,000 acres (130 km2) in the Davis Mountains range, along with conservation easements on 70,000 adjoining acres (280 km2) of private ranchland. The Davis Mountain Preserve is open to the public at specified times.
Facilities
McDonald Observatory is accessed by Spur 78 from State Highway 118. Spur 78 is the highest state maintained road in Texas at 6,791 feet near the summit of {{anchor|Mount Locke}}Mt. Locke where the older telescopes of the observatory are located. Spur 77 branches off from Spur 78, providing access to the newer research equipment atop Mt. Fowlkes.
Texas separatist standoff
{{Main|Davis Mountain Resort hostage crisis}}
The Texas separatist organization known as the Republic of Texas has its origins in the Davis Mountains. On April 27, 1997, the leader of the group, Rick McLaren, staged an attack on his neighbor's house and demanded that he cede his property to the Republic of Texas. This led to 300 state troopers surrounding his house with his five followers, his wife, the victims of the attack, and him inside for close to a week. Ultimately, one follower was shot in the standoff and McLaren was arrested and imprisoned for the equivalent of a life sentence.{{cite web|last1=Branson|first1=Hailey|title=Today in Texas History: Long live Republic of Texas! Separatist group standoff in mountains begins|url=http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2009/04/today-in-texas-history-long-live-republic-of-texas-separatist-group-standoff-in-mountains-begins/|website=Houston Chronicle|date=27 April 2009 }}
References
External links
{{Commons category|Davis Mountains}}
- {{Handbook of Texas|id=rjd03|name=Davis Mountains}}
- [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/travel/stateparks/5077969.html Davis Mountains and Indian Lodge] - December 5, 2007 - Houston Chronicle
- [http://texashistory.unt.edu/search/?q=davis+mountains&t=fulltext Davis Mountains photographs, hosted by the Portal to Texas History]
- [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/davis_mountains/ Davis Mountains State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife]
- [http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/texas/placesweprotect/davis-mountains-preserve.xml Davis Mountains Preserve] - Nature Conservancy
- {{Gnis|1377206|Davis Mountains}}
{{Mountains of Texas}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Mountain ranges of Texas
Category:Landforms of Jeff Davis County, Texas