South Franklin Mountain, at 6,971 feet, is the shorter and lesser known sister to North Franklin Mountain, both of which are in Franklin Mountains State Park. The sole route to the summit is the Ron Coleman Trail, with its trailhead at McKelligon Canyon and its end at Trans-Mountain Road. A hike to the summit offers climbers views of El Paso, Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. Purists may be disappointed that the summit is home to a number of FAA towers, which mar the natural landscape. With 302 days of sunshine each year, any day is a good day for hiking South Franklin Mountain, although summers can be particularly hot during the day.

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