The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
(gwä´dlp) (KEY) , 86,416 acres (34,998 hectares), W Tex. Located in the Guadalupe Mts., the park contains parts of the worlds largest and most significant Permian limestone fossil reef. In the park are McKittrich Canyon; Guadalupe Peak, 8,751 ft (2,667 m), the highest point in Texas; and El Capitan, 8,078 ft (2,462 m), which served as a landmark for westward-traveling pioneers. The park was authorized in 1966 and established in 1972. See National Parks and Monuments (table).