Puerta Pinta, the Pass to Mission San Saba

When the Spanish established Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba for the Lipan Apache Indians in 1757 they traveled along a 180 mile Indian trail which came to be known as the Pinta Trail, running northwest from San Antonio to present day Menard, Texas .. the site of the Presidio and Mission.  Leaving San Antonio this trail passed through a break in the Balcones Escarpment known variously as Puerta Pinta (paint pass), or Paso de Los Apaches, or Puerto Viejo (old pass).  The subsequent destruction of the mission by Comanches and their allies has been called a pivotal moment in Texas history, signaling the beginning of the end of Spain's attempt to move farther northwest into Texas.  History which transpired through this pass.

Later the pass would be used by the likes of the '49ers headed for the California gold rush, and as a stage route to and from San Antonio, and by Texas Rangers battling Comanches on their home turf.  When Jim Bowie later searched for the fabled lost San Saba mine he would have trekked forward out of San Antonio through this pass.

Below is a photo of the pass as it looks today.

Gelo and Pate's Texas Indian Trails provide a good description of the trail and pass.  An online write-up is available on the Handbook of Texas Online

The pass from the other direction, atop Point Comanche. The red arrow shows general location top picture was taken from.