The eastern edge of the High Plains blends with the lower, Central Plains across much of the Continent but, in northwest Texas, the edge stands out as a prominent escarpment, incised by a series of canyons. The largest of these is Palo Duro Canyon, southeast of Amarillo. Averaging six miles in width and 800 feet in depth, it has been called the Grand Canyon of Texas and is surely one of the more scenic locations in the State. The Ogallala Formation (late Tertiary sandstone and conglomerate) forms the Caprock of the Canyon, which has a surface elevation near 3600 feet; Triassic rocks comprise upper layers of the Canyon, overlying Permian strata, which harbor seams of white gypsum. These Permian rocks represent the upper layer of the Permian Basin, which extends southwestward, where it is covered by younger Mesozoic and Tertiary sediments.
Protected as a Texas State Park since 1934, Palo Duro Canyon was eroded over the last million years by the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River. It's name, which means "hardwood" in Spanish, refers to the plentiful mesquite and juniper trees that cover the canyon slopes; cottonwoods and willows, less drought tolerant, cluster along the River on the canyon floor. A variety of shortgrass species, yucca, prickly pear cactus and western wildflowers also adorn the Park. Resident wildlife include deer, coyotes, wild turkey, scaled quail, roadrunners and western diamondback rattlesnakes; among the many raptors are golden eagles, prairie falcons and ferruginous hawks. The Park, 12 miles east of Canyon, Texas, is reached via State Route 217; an 8 mile road and numerous trails provide access to this scenic refuge.
Note: This post was initially published back in 2007 but the name of the Canyon was misspelled. Corrections were made and it is now republished.
