I was born and raised in Lawton Oklahoma I spent most my my weekends exploring them trails..I miss it badly
@MarksofCuriosityАй бұрын
As you know it is a special place and wonderful to explore. Thanks for watching!
@umpdaddy1Ай бұрын
I was a teenager living in Lawton during the sixties. I spent a lot of time in the mountains. I climbed Mt. Scott a couple of times. Back then there wasn't a curfew on Mt. Scott and we could see the headlights on the access road at night from our house in Lawton. It's an amazing place. Lots of nights camping there.
@RichardGeiszler8 ай бұрын
Fort Sill is a huge artillery base and is touching the Refuge to the east. If you enter the Refuge from Hwy 62 using Hwy 115, you drive through a western portion of the artillery range with signs alerting you that artillery may be fired over the road. The artillery fire will sound like distance thumps. The jets are likely flying over the newer USAF Falcon Range which is south of the Refuge and west of Fort Sill. Lots of fighter jets practicing maneuvers. Altus Air Force Base is about 40 mile further west and home of many C-5 transports. I grew up in this area of Oklahoma.
@MarksofCuriosity8 ай бұрын
That is some interesting information. Very active! Thanks for sharing!
@texasredneckhippy8 ай бұрын
@@MarksofCuriosity12 miles west of W.M.W.R. is Great plains State park. Tom Steed Lake there is my favorite for fishing and panoramic mountain views.
@stevenboyce41363 ай бұрын
Mt. Scott is a must to check out ...can not miss it, flat land with a mountain there
@richardsmith22899 ай бұрын
I'm glad you got to enjoy the Wichitas. I've been photographing those mountains for over 40 years and I never get tired of going back. Oklahoma has a surprising landscape - it's subtle and varied. In Colorado, the landscape shouts at you but in Oklahoma, it whispers "Over here. Look at this".
@MarksofCuriosity9 ай бұрын
Oh, to have that time to explore this area, I admit I'm a little jealous. I was able to go back last month and explore the area a little more. Already making plans for next year. I really like your statement regarding the Rockies and the Wichitas. Thanks for watching
@stephaniemckinley30608 ай бұрын
I love the mysterious mts. near Lawton.. they have a haunting wind that blows.. you can hear wild horses 🐎 and native Kiowa and other Indians. Love to be there whenever I can...it is my solice place
@stephaniemckinley30608 ай бұрын
I love the way you put that
@gabeross5154 ай бұрын
Im from Philadelphia and I visited my brother for graduation at fort sill. spoke to the man at the nature center. One of the kindest and most helpful people I’ve met. Gave us phenomenal directions to heart rock and to different hiking trails. Showed us where to find various animals and spoke to us for half an hour about the lands history. Oklahoma inspired me to love and explore nature despite how easy it is to ignore. Much love from the east coast!
@737Parkie4 ай бұрын
I work for the airlines and see all kinds of places. To this day it’s my favorite place on the planet.
@fluxfaze9 ай бұрын
Camping at Boulder Creek there in spring, 1966, we were awakened by the sound of a lantern breaking, ominous scuffling and an odd grunting sound. Looking out the tent door we saw bison grazing through. Dad whispered for us to stay still and quiet. They moved on slowly, contentedly munching sweet new grass as we watched, breathless and grinning at the beauty of it all. Autumn of that year we moved to our first large city suburb (Bellaire, Texas) where my middle brother told his class the story of that experience during start-of-year show and tell. No one believed him, including his teacher.
@MarksofCuriosity9 ай бұрын
That’s a cool story! Must have been scary and awe-inspiring at the same time. Thanks for commenting!
@grognardgaming8952Ай бұрын
I was at Treasure Lake Job Corp in the 90's which is on the back end of Charon's Gardens. We used to hike all over the area and often to the boulder fields we just called "the caves".
@MarksofCuriosityАй бұрын
That must have been a great time and have a great knowledge of the area.
@leatherneck624 ай бұрын
Beautiful country, i have hiked in there, i grew up North of there in Carnegie
@MarksofCuriosity4 ай бұрын
Indeed it is! What a great place to have in your backyard.
@cristinas43983 ай бұрын
Hi, may I ask, we're looking for a tiny chapel - My sister remembers going inside it on top of Mount Scott in 1975 and again in 1978. Really small. She wants to go back and I can't find it for her online. I keep finding a "Holy City" with a chapel but it is bigger and looks nothing like what she was inside. I keep checking history but it doesn't mention a chapel being demolished or anything. Any idea as a local? We're in Texas.
@MarksofCuriosity2 ай бұрын
@@cristinas4398 I personally am not aware of this structure. Maybe someone will see this post and reply.
@markcollins1012Ай бұрын
Now I wanna visit there
@beebomcgroober9316Ай бұрын
In addition to the herds of bison, there's a large herd of wild longhorn cattle, and a prairie dog town! To the east is Mount Scott, I think the second tallest mountain in the state, which you can drive up with a small parking area at the top. If you live in OKC it's just an hour and a half drive. And yeah, there's so many people here that have never been much less even heard of it.
@MarksofCuriosity19 күн бұрын
It is chocked full of amazing and interesting beauty!
@stevenboyce41363 ай бұрын
I lived in Lawton for 6 years as a kid {Dad was stationed at Ft. Sill }..I remember all the rattlesnakes in the Refuge. but had cookouts all the time there in the '70s
@MarksofCuriosity3 ай бұрын
Sound like some great memories! I've yet to see a rattlesnake on my hikes, but I remind myself when I'm out there that this land is venomous snake country and I'm walking around in their home. Thanks for watching!
@stevenboyce41363 ай бұрын
@@MarksofCuriosity Yes...this was in the early '70s..the HOLY CITY and MT. SCOTT was my favorite place. I loved it back then you had to go there to see it..nowadays the computer brings everything right into your house. I loved growing up in Lawton OK
@MarksofCuriosity3 ай бұрын
@@stevenboyce4136 Those places are really cool and somewhat hard to capture the true feeling of being there. With saying that I am with you on the have to go there, even though I feed into the ethos of KZbin. No matter what any of use put on social media, it will NEVER give you a sense of this place or any other. Your comment is timely, since I am researching for a future video series on THE WHY we go out into nature.
@AmericanRefugee2127 ай бұрын
Beautiful shots and scenery in vid. Looking forward to visiting this place soon, thanks.
@MarksofCuriosity7 ай бұрын
Thank You! It's easy to film beautiful areas. Hope you enjoy your visit. Thanks for watching!
@PrometheanRising Жыл бұрын
Lots of good hiking to be had at this place. Can't wait to go again.
@MarksofCuriosity Жыл бұрын
Indeed there is. Definitely a lot more to see, especially in different seasons.
@Hoosier_leclere7 ай бұрын
I'm from Indiana, and we stopped at medicine park & stayed for three days on our way to Texas, New Mexico & Colorado. And to be honest this was my favorite spot. Only like 11 hours from us. And it looks like something out of a western movie. Really cool place!
@MarksofCuriosity6 ай бұрын
I'm with you. I do like New Mexico, but as you said the Wichita Mountains are much closer and more accessible. Thanks for commenting and watching!
@rebeccalongoria6317 ай бұрын
We love going and seeing the wildlife and the lure of hidden treasures because it was once part of outlaw country
@MarksofCuriosity7 ай бұрын
It is a fascinating place. Just got the book Oklahoma Treasures and Treasure Tales. Can absolutely understand the lure :)
@texasredneckhippy8 ай бұрын
I have been hiking/camping Wichita Mountains for 53yrs. now. At least 300 hikes, mostly off of marked trails, following elk trails and remote drainage creeks to their headwaters. Canyon wrens, painted buntings, eagles. Bugeling elk and the bison herds. Okay it will take hours to write a fraction of the attraction. Go see it !
@MarksofCuriosity8 ай бұрын
Very cool! I can easily see spending decades exploring this area.
@sooner_born22568 ай бұрын
One of my favorite places in Oklahoma! Nice video.
@MarksofCuriosity8 ай бұрын
Thank You! It truly is an exceptional place to explore
@zendt669 ай бұрын
Well done with the video. A great place to explore and it has good camping as well. I agree about the signage, even the cairns are few and far between. I've approached the boulder field from the other side, very cool.
@MarksofCuriosity9 ай бұрын
Thank You! It is a great place to camp. On the trip in this video, I got up one morning with a longhorn mere feet from our camping spot. Thanks for watching!
@geronimowashington21158 ай бұрын
America is so underrated...im always blown away at every state i go to. This place is like Africa
@MarksofCuriosity7 ай бұрын
100% Agree! If you really get out there and explore the US is inexhaustible. That’s for watching!
@737Parkie4 ай бұрын
Lots of people don’t know this place exists….even those from the state. My wife is from the area and we’re purchasing a home in Medicine Park we love the WMWR so much.
@MarksofCuriosity4 ай бұрын
That’s very true. Last month while there I met a couple that lived in Oklahoma that said it was their first time there. Owning a home there would be awesome! Congrats on your home purchase!
@737Parkie4 ай бұрын
Thank you! We’re so excited! We can walk the Lawtonka trails and walk to Elmer Thomas from the house!
@tommyNix40983 ай бұрын
Eastern OK, around the Ouachita mountains, is also an area of spectacular natural beauty.
@MarksofCuriosity3 ай бұрын
That’s on the list! Hoping to make it there this year or next.
@barryraven47457 ай бұрын
The Narrows trail is there mainly for access to rock climbing walls. The is a large cave on Elk Mountain down and west of the summit called The Rock Rooms. It is where Dr. Mitchell died, his memorial plaque at the south end of Charon’s Garden. The west portion of the wilderness (brown area on your map) is the best part but contains no trails. There are 4 peaks over 2000 ft and many other sub 2000 ft peaks. May is the prettiest time of year with many wildflowers and water in the streams but very hot as you can imagine. There are several rock climbing areas in the wilderness and other parts of the refuge including The Narrows and Mount Scott.
@MarksofCuriosity6 ай бұрын
Interesting! I did hear about the Rock Rooms. That area looks fascinating, but it doesn't look like a place to go if you don't know your way around. That western portion looks really good and would like to explore it one day. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
@ashleymartinez-dj3fe3 ай бұрын
🎯💖
@stevelongacre582911 ай бұрын
Altus Air Force base is just west...that's why you're hearing jets.
@MarksofCuriosity11 ай бұрын
Very cool! I thought they were from Fort Sill. Thanks for watching 👍
@naiman45356 ай бұрын
I paused this video about halfway through because I got a little bored. But then I continued watching later, and I was continuously muttering to myself, "Holy Moly! THIS is Oklahoma???" When you were scampering under those big heavy rocks, I was holding my breath, thinking to myself, "If that big boulder falls on you - it's curtains, baby!" Thanks for sharing this video with us!
@MarksofCuriosity6 ай бұрын
Thanks for your honesty. I am glad you continued to watch. Oklahoma? Who knew? There's a lot of info out on it, but just never thought of Oklahoma as a place to explore. Those boulders are no joke. They have shifted before, because they wouldn't be in there present location. Thanks for watching!
@kevinjoest2738 Жыл бұрын
Great video! Thanks for sharing!
@MarksofCuriosity Жыл бұрын
Thank You 😊
@ThenaturalmedicAdventures9 ай бұрын
Great Video! I've been there but its been a minute
@MarksofCuriosity9 ай бұрын
Thank You! Well worth a return visit. Thanks for watching!
@MrDestinlife Жыл бұрын
awesome job great Video
@MarksofCuriosity Жыл бұрын
Thank You!
@marshallandroxy Жыл бұрын
Nice video, good job. Crazy how much different it looks than when we went about 5 years ago. At 8:21 there, when we were there under that tree on the right water was about 1ft deep or so there. Looks bone dry now.
@MarksofCuriosity Жыл бұрын
Thank You! It's hard to imagine that place having much water in it. Good reason to go back. Thanks for the comment!
@ProspectorAl24 күн бұрын
I would argue that Oklahoma is the most scenic state between the Appalachians and Rockies.
@MarksofCuriosity19 күн бұрын
I wouldn't argue that point. Oklahoma is a beautiful state.
@dddd-p5sАй бұрын
Don´t you need to be careful there to not step on a rattler? Beautiful scenery!
@MarksofCuriosity19 күн бұрын
Absolutely! I have personally never seen the one on the trail, but have seen one on the road. Know they are there, but may be going on the wrong season to see.
@jrt01272 ай бұрын
The jets are not Fort Sill they are either Altus AFB or Sheppard AFB in Whicita Falls Texas
@MarksofCuriosity2 ай бұрын
You are absolutely correct! I didn’t know about the Witchita Falls base. Interesting! I would find out about Altus after that first day at the refuge. Didn’t know it at the time, but my oldest brother was born on the Altus AFB. Thanks for the comment and for watching!
@hikergal6311 ай бұрын
This is a protected area which is why there are no real trails. The refuge is for animals and not humans we are lucky to be able to share them.
@MarksofCuriosity10 ай бұрын
Most definitely! Just went back last week and found it easier to navigate, since I did not come this time with the expectation of marked trails. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@mariocerda7613 ай бұрын
would you share with me the exact coordinates of the boulder field and how to get there?
@MarksofCuriosity3 ай бұрын
If you go on google maps around the elk mountain area, you will see it marked (limited signal in the Wichita Mountains, download an off-line map before you go). When you get there, there are many openings just off the trial. Take time to explore each of them, because they can lead to some cool stuff. Thanks for watching!
@midnightrider110010 ай бұрын
I have taken that trail up Elk Mountain numerous times. That cave once had a million daddy long legs inside. That was really creepy. The most amazing thing about it is the time I hiked up there and there was a bull buffalo grazing on the summit. How he found his way up there, I don't know.
@MarksofCuriosity10 ай бұрын
It's a unique and wonderful place to explore. Those spiders would creep me out, also. It is a wonder how they move on those rocks. I would not have expected one up there. Maybe bison like great scenery. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@tortuga8094 ай бұрын
I have also been up there when a bison was up there making quite a ruckus up at the top. They are apparently more agile than they appear.
@CrowBrosRacing Жыл бұрын
Great and timely video! Fellow southern Illinoisan here, we are taking a family trip to the Wichita's in a few weeks. Plan to hit many of the same hikes you did. Any tips for finding the cave near the top of Elk Mountain? Thought the kids may enjoy that, if they make it up. :)
@MarksofCuriosity Жыл бұрын
Very cool! It a great place to explore. I'll post the coordinates from the Apple Photos GPS location for the footage. Don't know how accurate it is, but if you match up the scenery on the east side of the mountain it shouldn't be too hard to locate. I will say that I was happy to have my AllTrails app on my phone, because the trail is not marked. There are numerous side trails that make it really confusing. I downloaded the route on to my phone in case I lost signal and it kept me on track. Highly Recommend! Hope you have a great trip and get out there early before it gets too hot. This is where Apple Maps indicates the tunnel is: 34.72120° N, 98.71840° W
@CrowBrosRacing Жыл бұрын
Thanks for all the info! Not the best time for us to go there with the heat, but kids in school force our hand with that.
@MarksofCuriosity Жыл бұрын
@@CrowBrosRacing My pleasure! When I was there the humidity was low, so it didn’t feel as bad even at 90. Have a great time 👍
@midnightrider110010 ай бұрын
Take the trail all the way up, look for the highest point atop a rock where the trial leads you and it will but just beneath it, from my memory. It is easy to find. Most places in the Wichitas have scoured ground from hikers near features such as this.
@michaelblankenship76059 ай бұрын
I've hiked up from Treasure Lake to the bridge to Elk Mountain a few times, and it seems like every time I see people above me at the Apple & Pear, but when I've been on top of Elk Mountain and walked around I couldn't find the Apple&pear. Anybody know how to get to it?
@MarksofCuriosity9 ай бұрын
Good Question! Watched a couple of KZbin videos, but don’t see GPS coords. Planning a trip early next year there, so have to answer at a later time!
@texasredneckhippy8 ай бұрын
@MarksofCuriosity I've never heard of or seen anyone on top of the apple or pear. A serious technical climb on the west side of Elk Mt. You can get fairly close above and below.West and southwest side cliffs are not for average hikers.
@RichardGeiszler8 ай бұрын
The Wichitas are the only east west range in North America.
@MarksofCuriosity8 ай бұрын
Interesting!
@stephaniemckinley30608 ай бұрын
So true and strange they became that way 😊
@barryraven47457 ай бұрын
Capitan Mountains in NM are east west.
@RichardGeiszler7 ай бұрын
@@barryraven4745 Sorry, my source was wrong.
@davidyork802011 ай бұрын
watch out for rattlesnakes around the rocks id rather go to telluride ouray aspen just check out the videos from those areas glenwoodsprings is great too
@MarksofCuriosity11 ай бұрын
Absolutely! Rattlers were constantly on my mind on those hikes. Those are definitely beautiful Colorado towns, been to all except Glenwood Springs, but that was before I started editing for this channel. Maybe I'll get back to there. Thanks for watching!
@suemar63 Жыл бұрын
Boring? Not at all. Very enjoyable looking hike. I have not explored Oklahoma at all. I am a fan of Nebraska, which most people laugh about, but there is tons to do there as well. I guess everyone has their idea of "pretty". I guess Oklahoma gets put on the "to-do" list............................
@MarksofCuriosity Жыл бұрын
Lol … I received the same response when saying I was going to Oklahoma, but I love these “lesser known” places that to me are just as epic. Nebraska is on my list, along with Kansas 👍
@PrometheanRising Жыл бұрын
I researched vacationing in Nebraska at one point, but haven't been yet. I thought it looked pretty good.
@suemar63 Жыл бұрын
@@PrometheanRising I hope you make it there. We really liked the western part of the state- Chimney Rock Nat. Historic Site, Wildcat Hills, Scottsbluff Nat. Monument, Toadstool Geologic Park, Agate Fossil Beds, Chadron State Park. North Central--Smith Falls, Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge The Sand Hills area--so so empty and beautiful in it's own weird way. Enjoy!!
@billyghostal8 ай бұрын
EXTREME SOUTHWEST lol. the only thing extreme hereis the crime rate in Lawton.