Mushaway Peak is a small but conspicuous butte located 4 mi (6.4 km) southeast of Gail in central Borden County, Texas. It is one of the region's most venerable landmarks.[2]
| Mushaway Peak | |
|---|---|
 Mushaway Peak viewed from the west | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,851 ft (869 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 380 ft (120 m) |
| Coordinates | 32°43′26″N 101°24′03″W / 32.72389°N 101.40083°W[1] |
| Geography | |
  Mushaway Peak | |
| Topo map | Mushaway Peak Quadrangle |
| Geology | |
| Rock age(s) | Quaternary, Cretaceous |
| Mountain type | Butte |
The summit of this peak rises to an altitude of 2,851 ft (869 m) above sea level, which is roughly the same altitude as the High Plains of the Llano Estacado 10 mi (16 km) to the northwest. Mushaway Peak is in fact an erosional remnant of what was once a much larger Llano Estacado that has gradually retreated by the process of headward erosion.[3] Its resistant cap has protected its underlying sediments, which have remained intact while surrounding sediments have been eroded away by Grape Creek and Bull Creek, two tributaries of the upper Colorado River.[2]
Proper name
editMushaway Peak has been known by various names, including: Cordova Mountain, Cordova Peak, De Corde Peak, Mount Irwin, Mochaquo Mountain, Muchakooago Peak, Mucha Koo Ave, Mucha Kooay Mountain, Muchakooayo Peak, Muchakooay Peak, Mucha Koody Mountain, Mucha Kooga, Muchakooga Peak, Muchakooyo Peak, Mucha Kowa Peak, Mucha Koway Peak, Muchaque Peak, or simply Old Baldy. In a 1936 decision of the United States Board on Geographical Names, "Muchakooay Peak" was recommended as proper orthography.[4] However, the 1936 decision was revised in 1973 when "Mushaway Peak" was selected as the official name of this geographic feature.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Mushaway Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ a b Anonymous. "Mushaway Peak". Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved October 27, 2012.
- ^ Murrah, D.J. 2000. Mushaway or Muchaque? A hill by any other name… The Cyclone (Newsletter of the West Texas Historical Association) 7(2):1-2.
- ^ United States Board on Geographical Names. 1936. Decisions of the United States Board on Geographical Names, United States Department of the Interior, Washington DC, p. 31.
- ^ United States Board on Geographical Names. 1973. Decisions on Geographical Names in the United States, Decision list no. 7301, United States Department of the Interior, Washington DC, p. 11.