Posted by Ken Bachman on April 12, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I have been interested in going to the Wichita Mountains for a while and wonder if anyone here has been there and has some advice on when to go and what to see. I'm thinking sometime in the next few weeks might be a good time.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by Mike Spivey on April 13, 2009 at 6:27 AM
Of course, go to the top of Mt Scott. But they have some great hiking trails.
Posted by Daniel Loomis on April 13, 2009 at 4:48 PM
I have bicycled through the refuge a couple of times, but without camera. Are you interested in scenery, wildlife or both? For scenery, start early on the East side and work your way westward. Just follow the sun. Mount Scott is a great vantage point and will have a number of scenic opportunities on the way up and down.
There are Bison, Elk, deer, Prairie Dogs, Collared Lizards (also called boomers), rattlesnakes and lots of hawks, vultures and smaller birds. You should be able to fill up a couple of 2gb CF cards in a day's time.
The old town of Medicine Park is really quaint with old rock houses and such. In the 1920s and 30s it was a resort area. Ought to make some interesting photos.
Have fun and be sure to share what you find with the rest of us. You may inspire me to go back there myself one of these days!
Posted by Larry Daniel on April 13, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Sunrise opps include bison where ever you find them. There is also a lake just west from the visitor center with some mud flats where you may find some lesser and greater yellowlegs along with other birds, sunrise is a good time there also. You can view some images from there on www.OzarksPhotos.com from last fall.
And don't forget to visit the cafe at Meers. Great food and certainly a unique place to eat.
Posted by Darren Huski on April 20, 2009 at 6:18 PM
Ken-
The Wichita Mountains are a great area. To add to what others have said-
-large game roams freely, bison, longhorn, and elk are found throughout the refuge and easy to get close to (but be careful).
-lots of granite here. even great climbing
-good hiking trails
-big at some 50,000 acres
-decent fall color in early November
-Fort Sill is it's neighbor. You can tour the historic fort and see Geronimo's grave.
-Meers, just north of area has great burgers!
-Holy City for the Passion Play at Easter season
-Big hills here some 800' tall
Suggested areas include, lake Jed Johnson, Charons Garden, Elk Mountain for landscapes. Wildlife everywhere.
-Lodging in town or camp in the park at Camp Doris (has showers).
All in all a great location for landscape and wildlife. I think early summer and fall are the best seasons.
Discussion
4 repliesThanks in advance.
There are Bison, Elk, deer, Prairie Dogs, Collared Lizards (also called boomers), rattlesnakes and lots of hawks, vultures and smaller birds. You should be able to fill up a couple of 2gb CF cards in a day's time.
The old town of Medicine Park is really quaint with old rock houses and such. In the 1920s and 30s it was a resort area. Ought to make some interesting photos.
Have fun and be sure to share what you find with the rest of us. You may inspire me to go back there myself one of these days!
And don't forget to visit the cafe at Meers. Great food and certainly a unique place to eat.
The Wichita Mountains are a great area. To add to what others have said-
-large game roams freely, bison, longhorn, and elk are found throughout the refuge and easy to get close to (but be careful).
-lots of granite here. even great climbing
-good hiking trails
-big at some 50,000 acres
-decent fall color in early November
-Fort Sill is it's neighbor. You can tour the historic fort and see Geronimo's grave.
-Meers, just north of area has great burgers!
-Holy City for the Passion Play at Easter season
-Big hills here some 800' tall
Suggested areas include, lake Jed Johnson, Charons Garden, Elk Mountain for landscapes. Wildlife everywhere.
-Lodging in town or camp in the park at Camp Doris (has showers).
All in all a great location for landscape and wildlife. I think early summer and fall are the best seasons.