Exploring the Best of the Wichita Mountains - The Narrows Trail & Pennington Mine

Come along for my hike of the Narrows Trail at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Oklahoma. This 4 mile adventure takes us through the heart of the Wichitas and through some of the prettiest country in the state.
In the video I traverse the whole trail and explore beyond to locate the long abandoned Pennington silver mine.

[@mitchstallings7196]

Been there hiking and fishing so so many times. I love the area. Lived in Lawton about 10 years during my Army time. Always a lot of places to explore.

[@OklahomoHiker]

It’s such a beautiful spot to explore. We’re lucky to have it here in Oklahoma.

[@Scrambler85]

Definitely a thumbs up for the video

[@OklahomoHiker]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you like it. Happy new year! 😊

[@GoWildHistory]

Great video. Awesome narration and editing!

[@OklahomoHiker]

Man, thank you! I friggin’ love your videos so I’m pretty stoked to hear you liked it!

[@ribkah11]

Well, now I have to go!! It’s beautiful 🤩

[@OklahomoHiker]

It’s incredible! I was kind of blown away. I hope you have a great time of it!

[@irisgreenwell7237]

Gorgeous area! Great video!

[@OklahomoHiker]

It took my breath away! Thank you so much for the kind comment and for watching. 😊

[@charlessavoie2367]

A really wonderful natural area!

[@OklahomoHiker]

It really is breathtaking; such an unexpected landscape here in Oklahoma.

[@HikerTrashHusbands]

What a beautiful trek. Looking forward to more time there with the best tour guides.

[@OklahomoHiker]

We can’t wait to show you! Maybe we do this one next month. 🤔

[@HikerTrashHusbands]

@@OklahomoHiker would we melt?

[@OklahomoHiker]

@@HikerTrashHusbands You will melt wherever we go are in Oklahoma in July! But, I really can’t think of a prettier place to do it.

[@HikerTrashHusbands]

@@OklahomoHiker Just bring lots of gatorade and I'll be ok. Also suntan lotion. I'm a pale yankee.

[@OklahomoHiker]

@@HikerTrashHusbands I’ll take good care of you.

[@togetherwesurthrive85]

Love the videos wish that trail was not like 5 hours away want to hike it so bad

[@OklahomoHiker]

You’ll enjoy it soooo much when you finally get there. It’s an amazing place!

[@anendlessjourney3298]

Awesome video quality, may I ask what kind of camera you are using?

[@OklahomoHiker]

Thank you. It’s actually just my iPhone 13.

[@joesmith-tg3co]

I have been in the pennington mine several times before it has bars on it, there is a chimney at the end that goes up about 30 feet, FYI it was a gold mine

[@OklahomoHiker]

Oh, my goodness! How neat is that?! I’d love to have seen deeper into the mine. Thanks for sharing!

[@joesmith-tg3co]

buddy and me spent several hours working the trailing there was a lot of black sand and after several hours found a match head sized grain of gold@@OklahomoHiker

[@TubbaTubba-em2tm]

Beautiful. Can you swim in the water?

[@OklahomoHiker]

Swimming is actually not allowed in the waters of the Wichitas. If memory serves me right, there are elevated levels of mercury in the water.

[@jamiecline5389]

Be camping there this week

[@OklahomoHiker]

Oh, that’s awesome! Are you backcountry camping in Charon’s Garden or staying in the Doris Campground?

[@jamiecline5389]

Doris campground .I was unaware we could Backcountry camp. Good to know

[@OklahomoHiker]

@@jamiecline5389 Yes! You have to secure a permit on recreation.gov, but it’s worth it.

[@happytwocampersandadventur2199]

Great scenic hike! Does a hike fee required to hike the narrow trails? Thanks in advance. 😊

[@OklahomoHiker]

There is no fee required for any of the hikes there - only for camping. It’s such a beautiful place to explore!

[@EngineJoe32]

What app do you use for your maps? I get so turned around on some of these Wichita Mountain Trails!

[@OklahomoHiker]

I use AllTrails for most all of my hikes. It’s so easy to get turned around out there as many herd paths have been created over the years.

[@kaidenthompson1528]

Is this area kayak friendly? It's inflatable.

[@OklahomoHiker]

There are places witching the refuge that are. I’m not sure if this place specifically is, though. I’d give the visitor center/headquarters a quick call. They’ll have the right answer in a jiffy.

[@markstumblingbear2311]

Where's the people that are supposed to live there? The principle people

[@OklahomoHiker]

The first peoples of the Wichita Mountains area were the ancestors of the Wichita people, part of the Plains Village cultures that existed in areas that are today called Kansas, Oklahoma and northern Texas.

[@user-fe8dr3ot9s]

Do you want some fish sticks