Glass Mountains

      This 50-mile wide scene from June 1st, 1993 lies within Brewster County, Texas’ largest county. Highway 90 traverses this scene, connecting Alpine and Marathon. Mountains surround both towns and show healthy green vegetation at higher altitudes, like the Glass Mountains to the north of Marathon. Rivers valleys also show green vegetation. This area lies within the Trans-Pecos Ecoregion, home to a diversity of habitats ranging from mountains and plateaus to desert valleys. Ranching is the primary industry. Ghostly checkerboard patterns in western part of the scene mark fence lines where different grazing practices affecting landcover. 

      The Glass Mountains rise to an elevation 5,700 feet. The rocks in the mountains are around 250 million years old and host fossils of reef-dwelling organisms that lived in an ancient ocean that once covered Texas.

      Alpine is home to Sul Ross State University and to the Museum of the Big Bend.

Marathon is the home of the historic Gage Hotel and Fort Pena Colorado Park. It is also known as the Gateway to the Big Bend National Park, which lies 70 miles to the south.