Fall foliage: Tours available starting in October in the Wichitas
Fall foliage on Mount Sheridan near Lawton.
I plucked this from the Friends of the Wichitas Web site. It’s hot out there now, but starting in October, fall will be uopn us and so will the change of color in local foliage. Have a look:
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge will be conducting “Fall Foliage Walks” for the general public from during November. The interpretive programs take participants into Hollis Canyon for a one mile walk through black jack and post oaks, chinquapin and red cedar into a stand of sugar maples. Reservations are required and may be made by telephoning the Visitor Center on the following line only: (580)429-2151 on the dates specified in the tour schedule.
As fall advances, plants react to the changes of temperature, humidity and day length by reducing food production. Leaves, no longer receiving chlorophyll, begin to change and colors of red, yellow, orange and brown begin to appear. Depending on weather conditions, participants will view natures changes and will enjoy an opportunity for fall nature identification. As with any outdoor experience, the observant eye catches subtle and unexpected surprises which excite the mind and make the outing more meaningful.
Program participants will meet at the Visitor Center. Visitors may obtain a refuge leaflet from one of the dispensers located at each of the five entrances. The Visitor Center location is noted on the leaflet. Participants will be taken by bus to Hollis Canyon where they will begin their walk which is led by members of the Association of Friends of the Wichitas.
Tour participants should wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the season. A canteen of water may be a welcome treat. Each hike will last approximately two and a half hours. Due to the length of the program, children must be at least 8 years old to participate. There is a $5 reservation fee per participant which will be collected at check-in. Reservations will be retained until 10 minutes before the beginning of each program. After that time, stand-bys will be accepted. If the bus seating capacity is filled after accepting stand-bys, late arrivals with reservations will not be able to participate in the program.
Interested persons are advised that the refuge’s public programs are intended for individuals and family units. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge requests that participants respect the tour program regulations. Interested people are invited to call for reservations which are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Some more information:
The tour and walk includes a bus tour and a moderately strenuous hike. Tour dates are Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and Nov. 14. Those wanting to go should meet with the group at the refuge’s Visitor Center. Want to know more? Go to this site: http://www.friendsofthewichitas.org/
Bob Doucette
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