North Franklin Mountain via Cottonwood Spring Loop in Franklin Mountains State Park, TX

Hike North Franklin Mountain via Cottonwood Spring Loop Franklin Mountains State Park, TX

Class 2 4.6 miles 2300 gain 2-4 hrs Loop Feb 20, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

North Franklin Mountain via Cottonwood Spring Loop GPX Track

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Rather than do North Franklin Mountain as an out-and-back by using the winding trail/roadbed, I decided I would first follow an established trail to Cottonwood Spring. The last bit of this trail follows a rocky talus field befor reaching the spring. I continued on a pretty obvious social trail leading past Cottonwood Spring and up to a beautiful ridgeline. There was a short section of Class 2 along the ridgeline to meet up with the official North Franklin Mountain Trail. This trail is really just a dirt road, so I was happy I added the Cottonwood Spring Trail and subsequent ridge into the mix. After summiting North Franklin Mountain, I followed the official trail back to Mundys Gap. This trail leads back to complete the loop.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
North Franklin Mountain
7192 ft
2982 rise

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Start along the Cottonwood Spring Trail.
Start along the Cottonwood Spring Trail.
Image 1 from gallery
Image 2 from gallery
Cottonwood Spring is where that cottonwood tree is on the left, between some little rock features.
Cottonwood Spring is where that cottonwood tree is on the left, between some little rock features.
Cottonwood Spring. I guess?
Cottonwood Spring. I guess?
Continue up the hill from Cottonwood Spring.
Continue up the hill from Cottonwood Spring.
Approaching the ridgeline.
Approaching the ridgeline.
Looking north along the ridgeline.
Looking north along the ridgeline.
Continuing south up the ridge.
Continuing south up the ridge.
There' an easy to follow trail along the ridge.
There' an easy to follow trail along the ridge.
Image 10 from gallery
Looking back along the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
Meet back up with the official North Franklin Mountain Trail.
Meet back up with the official North Franklin Mountain Trail.
Looking back along the trail.
Looking back along the trail.
Summit of North Franklin looking toward South Franklin.
Summit of North Franklin looking toward South Franklin.
Because Texas.
Because Texas.
Continuing back along the official North Franklin Mountain Trail. That little hill thing over there was tempting to hike to, but...
Continuing back along the official North Franklin Mountain Trail. That little hill thing over there was tempting to hike to, but...
...there was a sign reading there was an unexploded thing up there. So, I decided to listen to the military and not go.
...there was a sign reading there was an unexploded thing up there. So, I decided to listen to the military and not go.
Continuing north along the trail.
Continuing north along the trail.
Approaching Mundys Gap.
Approaching Mundys Gap.
Looking back toward North Franklin Mountain from Mundys Gap.
Looking back toward North Franklin Mountain from Mundys Gap.
The view after passing over Mundys Gap.
The view after passing over Mundys Gap.
Meet back up with the Cottonwood Trail to complete the loop.
Meet back up with the Cottonwood Trail to complete the loop.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!