Valley – Big Guy Hiking

I had to go back to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge to complete a hike I started a long time ago. Crab Eyes is a rock formation located near Elk Mountain and on the Charon Gardens Wilderness Area. I like the balancing rock formations almost as much as I like waterfalls. This hike was not easy. There were some steep inclines and the usual lack of trail markings. I really like hiking here and will be back again to do a couple other hikes I have not gotten to do.

The hike takes you through a forest like area and several water crossings. You will hike in an open area and see all the mountains surrounding the area. You will traverse down into a valley and then back up to Crab Eyes. The last climb is steep but absolutely worth the trip. The views getting to the destination are also some of the better views you get in the Charon Gardens Wilderness Area. The hike was a 4.5 mile out and back. The weird thing at the beginning of the hike was a longhorn steer on the trail. I decided to take a different way to the trailhead. I thought it would be gone by the time I returned, nope it was still there. I took my chances this time since it was more interested in grazing and further off the trail. It was big and angry looking.Open area with a viewWorking my way upHere I am near the top. Last pic on the trip up. I thought this was just a cool pic to get on the way backOpen plain on the way back to the trailhead

I get back to trail running for the next month and a half. I am going to try to fit in some hiking but I signed up for plenty of runs until June.

This was my third trip to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Lawton, OK. I have been hiking two to three sections at a time. I have heard about the Narrows from other hikers, so I decided to check it out. The trailheads here are poorly marked and the trails are not marked, so finding the trail and going the right direction took some help. Although the trail markings are nonexistent, the trails are a blast to hike. After getting directions from a fellow hiker, I took a one and a half mile out and back turned it into a two mile adventure. It had rain plenty the past few weeks and the river had a brisk flow. The trail had several steep inclines and the elevation gains and loses were quick and long. I did lose the trail once but I was down in a valley with only one way out so the only thing I needed to do is hike up. It was fairly crowded for my taste but not overly crowded. There are many overlooks on the trail and the temperature was perfect for the lizards that were out sunbathing.