| Mushaway Peak | |
| Photo Size: | 350 |
| Elevation Ft: | 2851 |
| Elevation Ref: | [1] |
| Prominence Ft: | 380 |
| Map: | Texas |
| Label: | Mushaway Peak |
| Coordinates: | 32.7239°N -101.4008°W |
| Topo: | Mushaway Peak Quadrangle |
| Type: | Butte |
| Age: | Quaternary, Cretaceous |
Mushaway Peak is a small but conspicuous butte located 4miles southeast of Gail in central Borden County, Texas. It is one of the region's most venerable landmarks.[2]
The summit of this peak rises to an altitude of 2851feet above sea level, which is roughly the same altitude as the High Plains of the Llano Estacado 10miles to the northwest. Mushaway Peak is in fact an erosional remnant of what was once a much larger Llano Estacado that has gradually retreated by the process of headward erosion.[3] Its resistant cap has protected its underlying sediments, which have remained intact while surrounding sediments have been eroded away by Grape Creek and Bull Creek, two tributaries of the upper Colorado River.[2]
Mushaway Peak has been known by various names, including: Cordova Mountain, Cordova Peak, De Corde Peak, Mount Irwin, Mochaquo Mountain, Muchakooago Peak, Mucha Koo Ave, Mucha Kooay Mountain, Muchakooayo Peak, Muchakooay Peak, Mucha Koody Mountain, Mucha Kooga, Muchakooga Peak, Muchakooyo Peak, Mucha Kowa Peak, Mucha Koway Peak, Muchaque Peak, or simply Old Baldy. In a 1936 decision of the United States Board on Geographical Names, "Muchakooay Peak" was recommended as proper orthography.[4] However, the 1936 decision was revised in 1973 when "Mushaway Peak" was selected as the official name of this geographic feature.[5]