It’s the highest section of the park; getting up there is a real challenge. That’s a big part of the appeal of Caprock Canyons’ Haynes Ridge.

“You can pretty much view the entire span of the park,” says LeAnn Pigg, assistant superintendent. “You’re able to see the back side of the park that a lot of visitors don’t get to see.”

The Haynes Ridge Overlook Trail follows along the top of the ridge, high above the park, for about 2 miles. Getting to the ridge requires taking another trail to the base of the ridge and then ascending 600 feet.

“Lots of people like to do Haynes Ridge because they really enjoy the challenge,” Pigg says. “It’s definitely not for a first-timer.”

Caprock Canyons sits along the Caprock Escarpment, a tran­sition zone between the flat, high plains of the Llano Estacado to the west and the lower Rolling Plains to the east. Caprock’s mesas, bluffs and canyons create a place of rugged beauty. Water flowing through the park has exposed millions of years of geologic layers of shales, sandstones, siltstones and mudstones, ranging in color from red to orange to white.

In addition to enjoying the spectacular scenery, Pigg suggests keeping an eye out for the park’s interesting wildlife.

“Be sure to look for aoudad sheep — high in the canyon areas is where you’re more likely to see those,” Pigg says. “In winter months, golden eagles nest back in the canyons.”

If you hike the trail from east to west, as most hikers do, you can visit Fern Cave (a grotto with ferns and a spring) and then take the Upper North Prong Trail back to make a loop.