Oklahoma hiking: Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge
With the leaves beginning to turn and the weather cooling off, here’s a good opportunity to visit a beautiful area of the state this weekend. The following information is from The Nature Conservancy, http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/oklahoma/events/events6526.html
Have a read, and see if you can go.
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Date: Friday, Oct. 29
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A view from the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge (Geo Pierson/Oklahoma Ozarks Vista)
Overview: Hike through the Looney Unit of the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge. Participants will meet at the Mary and Murray Looney Education and Research Center near Colcord for an extended hike through one of the most scenic and pristine areas of the Oklahoma Ozarks. The hike will begin with a visit to the entrance of an extensive cave that protects endangered Ozark cavefish, cave crayfish, gray bat and a suite of cave-dwelling salamanders.
The group will follow a primitive path along a narrow forest stream into bottomland hardwood forest. The path will lead to a sunny sandbar on Spavinaw Creek, where participants will learn about conservation efforts to protect the watershed. Refuge biologist Shea Hammond will provide a glimpse into the site’s history, its ecological significance, and future plans for public visitation. Bring a lunch to enjoy on the covered porch of the historic log cabin. Bring snacks, bug spray, and plenty of water.
Level: Moderate
Limit: 25
Reservations: Contact Steve McGuffin at (405) 858-8557 or smcguffin@tnc.org.
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Bob Doucette
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Most of the growth across from the cabin has never been cut. Some of the trees were from the east and placed them there as a gift to the owner. This place was first called the honeymoon cottage. It’s a shame the dam can not be replaced. It made such a beautiful place. All my great grand children have played “Poo sticks” (where you drop a leaf on one side of the bridge to watch it come our on the other side. If bird feeders are placed at various places on the porch – I have counted over 30 different birds in one afternoon. My name is Suzanne Russell. I was once married to a son of Mary and Murray and my 4 children are the only people still alive that are related to them.