[2] Surrounded by a state park and with a maintained trail leading to its summit, the mountain is a popular hiking destination.

[4] The Precambrian rocks atop North Franklin Mountain represent "the highest geological structure in the state of Texas.

"[5] North Franklin gets its reddish color from the unusually high levels of oxidized iron in the volcanic rocks coating its summit and higher slopes.

From Mundy's Gap, the North Franklin Peak Trail follows the mountain's eastern slope for approximately three miles to the summit.

Most of the Mesilla Valley is visible to the west, including parts of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, and most of the town of Anthony.

From the C5 campsite, the trail gradually winds uphill to the left, then goes directly up to the ridgeline across a narrow rocky pass.

Although no technical gear is needed, there are a couple of difficult climbing areas along the way and the entire round trip takes about 10 hours.

Unlike the desert climate of downtown El Paso, the state park is located at a higher altitude in the mountains, which can intercept a large amount of moisture from the air, thereby forming precipitation.