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Awesome views of Palo Duro Canyon on all sides along this trail to Goodnight Peak, ending at a dramatic canyon overlook.


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Map Key

0.3

Miles

0.6

KM

93%

Runnable

3,258' 993 m

High

3,209' 978 m

Low

53' 16 m

Up

50' 15 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Need to Know

It can get very windy up on this ridge.

Description

Goodnight Peak Scenic Loop is a side trail off of CCC Trail that takes one to the end of a flat table top ridge that is part of the canyon rim. The canyon overlook at the end of the ridge is amazing! With steep dropoffs on three sides at the end of the ridge, there are about 270 degrees of dramatic views of Fortress Cliffs, Prairie Dog Town, Fork of the Red River valley, Timber Mesa, and far into the distance.

The easiest way to find Goodnight Peak Scenic Loop is to be running south on CCC Trail from either the CCC Trail start on the canyon rim, or from Triassic Trail. At the end of the narrow ridge, at the 0.9 mile mark on CCC Trail, start looking for a stair-like path going up to the right. This is the start of Goodnight Scenic Peak Loop, but there is no trail sign marking it. Go up this short, steep, stair-like section to get onto a high flat ridge top.

Once on the flat ridge top, look carefully for the trail. It is on the left/east of the "table top." Follow the trail as it heads south through low vegetation including grasses, yucca, prickly pear, and a few hardy junipers. Although the trail is a safe distance from the steep dropoffs, great views are all around. After a little less than 0.2 miles, the trail splits. One can go either way to get to the ridge end, loop around, and return to this point. After returning to this point, head back the way you came to CCC Trail to complete your tour of Goodnight Peak.

Although this trail is short, leave enough time to thoroughly enjoy all the views.

Flora & Fauna

Grasses, prickly pear cacti, yucca, some hardy juniper bushes.

Contacts

Shared By:

Joan Pendleton

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#2075

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#27

in Texas

#2,075

Overall
12 Views Last Month
1,395 Since Feb 16, 2019
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Goodnight Peak at the end of a ridge, overlooks Palo Duro Canyon.
Feb 16, 2019 near Canyon, TX
The colorful Fortress Cliffs canyon walls across the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River to the east, seen from high on Goodnight Peak Loop.
Feb 16, 2019 near Canyon, TX
Canyon walls on the far side of the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River are seen looking northeast from the CCC Trail on the northeast side of the ridge to Goodnight Peak.
Feb 6, 2019 near Canyon, TX
The approach to Goodnight Peak.
Nov 23, 2019 near Canyon, TX
On the ridge to Goodnight Peak, looking back to the north.
Feb 16, 2019 near Canyon, TX
The flat high ridge top at Goodnight Peak is covered with hardy grasses, yucca, pricklypear cacti, and scattered juniper bushes.
Feb 16, 2019 near Canyon, TX

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