While driving from Fort Worth to Wichita on our South Central Loop last spring, we took a small detour to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, OK. This turned out to be one of our favorite parts of the trip, a reprieve from what would otherwise have been an entire day of interstate driving. We spent a few hours taking in the spectacular scenery and wildlife as we hiked and drove around the refuge. As an added bonus, we almost had the park to ourselves since it was still early in the season.
The Wichita Mountains are home to a great variety of plant and animal species – over 1,100 in all. The 60,000 acre refuge was established in 1901 with the purpose of protecting this diversity while providing recreational opportunities for the nearby inhabitants. Today, two-thirds of the park is designated as a wilderness area. Elk and bison – at one time extinct in the region – now number in the hundreds thanks to repopulation efforts taken on by the Refuge.
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04.15.22 : “Are you looking at my butt?” We interrupted this moose mid-snack at Cub Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.04.14.22 : Conditions weren’t ideal for night photography, but managed to get a few decent shots from the comfort of our our cabin deck.04.14.22 : Bits of sunshine highlighted Hallett Peak as we walked across frozen Bear Lake. Rocky Mountain National Park.04.14.22 : Looking across Moraine Park toward the continental divide from Bear Lake Road.04.14.22 : After three miles and 1,000 feet up through fresh snow, we reached Loch Vale. At first visibility was terrible, but as we spent some time around the lake the snow cleared just enough to reveal the surrounding mountains.04.14.22 : Lonesome hiker. Probably my favorite photo from the hike to Loch Vale. Approaching the lake, the winter trail follows the path of a frozen stream that lies somewhere below the snow.
Love the kick and the travel reviews. Great Job Kickin Nick👍