Wichita Mountains

[jbrown84]

Feel free to use any of mine, Doug.

[Doug Loudenback]

Great, jbrown! I'll send you a pm ...

[Edmond_Outsider]

I've loved the Wichita since I was a teenager and have made at least one pilgrimage there each year since (30+).

I would disagree with Mr. Loudenback that it is over-regulated though. I remember back when it was more open that many of the camping areas were really rough drunk, drugged out places most weekends--this was early '80s when bikers weren't just mid-life crisis suburbanites but real outlaws and many of them considered specific campgrounds their turf. I got run out of a few places after being made aware that I was not welcome to be anywhere near thier turf.

Much of the park had gotten so rough that it wasn't suitable camping for most adults and kids would be out of the question.

I remember one of the last times I camped by Elk Mountain, a really scary dude came by at night to try and get us to go "smoke angel dust and watch the bats come out" at some unspecified spot off the trail. He, of course, was also offering to sell us the drugs.

There were also yearly deaths caused by idiots diving/jumping/belly flopping into the numerous streams and pools not aware that unlike the rest of Oklahoma, the bottom isn't mud but jagged skull piercing granite.

You can still get to many of the cool spots by permit and Camp Doris is a nice spot I don't hesitate to take my kids to.

[Doug Loudenback]

Edmond-Outsider, I hear and understand what you're saying about rowdies. But, as an example, I sure wouldn't mind a nice swim in Lake Jed Johnson out to the tower/lighthouse thing (at least, I think that's the lake) again. Too much, or too little, control both present problems. But, it's a great area, either way.

[Edmond_Outsider]

Yes, it is a great area and I wouldn't mind a little more available area to camp/backpack. Isn't the Charon Gardens area the only place available by permit to camp? Also, if I recall, the permit system is a bit complicated. It's been about 10 years since I did that.

I've always found it funny that "swimming" isn't allowed but "scuba diving" is. How does one scuba dive without swimming?

[jbrown84]

Well the backcountry permit process is complicated at all national park properties.

They have 2 developed campgrounds and backcountry camping in Charon's Garden. The north side of the refuge is reserved for the wildlife, although I believe they give occasional ranger tours in that area.

[centaurian]

okla doesnt do enough to promote the parks here, few years ago they were but have slacked off recently.

wish the gov would do more to promote them, draw in some out of state visitors .

[shiroshi]

WOW... i didn't know this forum existed. i was doing a google search on the house
Extreme Home TV show did in Lawton and came across this site. i grew up in Lawton left in '89 for the big city. reading this thread has brought back some old memories.
i love the mountains, i'd really like to find some land around there and build my retirement home someday. i visited lawton about a year ago, how depressing. the town just looks old and outdated, seeing all the growth going west was a little refreshing. i'll be watching this forum any news on my hometown.

[GuyB]

These are some shots from a recent trip to the Wichita Mountains.





















http://www.flickr.com/photos/guybowe...7611807177869/

[PennyQuilts]

Those are terrific! I hope to go down to the Wichitas when I am home, next month.

[HotStuff80]

When I was a youngster (years before 1956) we lived in Blair. Question: Is there still a (sort of) amusement park in the Wichita Mountain area? In those days there were carnival rides, a swimming area, etc.. Now, I'm not talking about that small spot just before you go farther west and north to the Quartz Mountain area, just north of Blair.

Anyone?

[Bobby H]

A long time ago a place near Cache called Eagle Park had some amusement park rides, but that place closed some time in the early 1980s.

[HotStuff80]

A long time ago a place near Cache called Eagle Park had some amusement park rides, but that place closed some time in the early 1980s.

Thank you (Bobby H), that was the name for which I was looking. Took me long enough, didn't it?

[mmonroe]

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzgnWNA







I loved going out to the Wichita Mountains, here is a link and a few preview images of my photo set from there. Greatest camping trip in awhile.

[Double Edge]

I loved going out to the Wichita Mountains, here is a link and a few preview images of my photo set from there. Greatest camping trip in awhile.

What is the location of the buffalo sculpture and the frisbee golf? Been there a bunch of times and have seen neither but I haven't camped in the public campground in years.

[Bigrayok]

On Globe Trekker that shows on OETA they did an episode on hiking sites. The Wichita Wildlife Refuge was part of the show.

Bigray in Ok

[mmonroe]

The Buffalo is at Medicine Park near all of the little shops near the back of the community, the disc golf basket is actually portable, we brought it with us.

[Double Edge]

The Buffalo is at Medicine Park near all of the little shops near the back of the community, the disc golf basket is actually portable, we brought it with us.

I'll have to go check out the buffalo next time I'm down there. Haven't taken the side trip into Medicine Park in awhile either.