Guided hikes offered in the Wichita Mountains during April
Guided hikes in this rugged place are being offered in April.
Here’s one of many opportunities to learn about the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. I got this courtesy of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Web site. I’d recommend this hike, if only for a chance to have a guided trip in an interesting portion of the refuge that’s I’ve explored a few times. Check it out, bring your gear and enjoy a fine day in the Wichitas.
Bob Doucette
Spring Wilderness Hike
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge will be conducting wilderness hikes for the general public April 10, 17 and 24. Reservations are required and are taken on a first-come, first-served basis by contacting the Visitor Center on specified reservation dates.
The hikes provide visitors with an opportunity to experience a portion of the Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area under the guidance of an interpreter. Topics for interpretation include basic geology, plants, wildlife and habitat diversity. Guides and interpreters for the hikes are members of the Association of Friends of the Wichitas.
The hikes, which include the crossing of the Valley of the Boulders, are rated strenuous for those who to not hike weekly. Persons who are not in “fit” physical condition are invited to watch throughout the year for less strenuous hikes and walks. Due to the length and difficulty of the hikes, children must be at least 8 years old. Participants must wear sturdy, rubber soled shoes and layer clothing appropriately for anticipated weather. Hikers will want to bring personal drinking water and a high energy snack. Hikes will last approximately three hours. A $5 reservation fee per participant will be collected at the time of check-in. The bus will depart from headquarters promptly at 10 a.m. Reservations will be retained until 10 minutes prior to departure on each date. After that time, standbys will be accepted.
Hike participants meet at the Visitor Center. Interested persons are advised that the Refuge’s public interpretive program is intended for individuals and family units. Only one family’s reservation will be accepted per telephone call. We regret we cannot offer group tours, but invite all interested individuals to call for reservations. Reservations must be made by telephoning the Visitor Center on the following line only: (580) 429-2151.
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Comments
You have two ways you can go. First, check out the Doris Campgrounds, which are not far from the Visitor Center. They have everything from primitive camping to campsites with electrical hookups. The campgrounds also have restrooms and a shower room. There are also group campsites. Individual sites are $8 a night.
If backcountry is your thing, you can get backcountry permits to camp in the Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area. There are special rules for camping there and a limited number of permits issued.
You can get more information at this link: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklahoma/wichitamountains/
[...] For starters, guided hikes through the boulder field near Elk Mountain in the Wichitas are being offered this month. For more information on that, check this link: http://blog.newsok.com/outthere/2010/03/31/guided-hikes-offered-in-the-wichita-mountains-during-apri… [...]