Wichita Mountains

Thursday, we had breakfast at the hotel and checked out, heading back to Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.  We first stopped at Holy City; it was closed but we got a couple pictures of the cool buildings.

Continuing on, we had to stop just past the visitor center to see a big herd of bison next to the road.

There were several calves, including one who was nursing.

After some pictures, we continued to the Treasure Lake parking to hike into Charon's Garden Wilderness.  The trail led through an open area near the lake with lots of wildflowers blooming.

It was very windy but we stopped for a few pictures.

In just over half a mile, we turned on the short spur trail to Post Oak Falls.

The water level was quite low, so it was little more than a wet rock.

But the rocks around here were cool and we sat and had a snack and enjoyed the view.  The narrow canyon kept the area completely in the shade.

After a break we continued on the trail and saw more wildflowers.

The views of the mountains were really beautiful.

In about another half mile, we came to the boulder rooms.

Some massive jumbled boulders created room-sized cavities that were big enough to walk around in.

We went a little further past here and then turned around.

The sun had come out but it was a beautiful hike back.

More cars had shown up by the time we made it back.

Our next stop was past Lost Lake at the trailhead for Kite Trail.

The trail followed West Cache Creek upstream and was initially flat, but soon headed up along steep cliff walls towering over the creek.

The canyon here was really beautiful.

Going a little ways further, we could see down into the canyon to Forty Foot Hole.

There was a steep path heading down, so I climbed down into the gorge for a closer view.

The water level was low, but the waterfall was still pretty cool.

And there was a cool view looking downstream to where the creek widens.

I climbed back up and we continued on up the canyon.

The views along here were really fantastic.

The trail then turned to Lost Lake and the other end of the trail.

We enjoyed more views of the canyon on the hike back.

Some yellow stonecrop was growing along the trail.

We also saw some field pennycress, an invasive species.

From here, we made the short drive to Boulder Cabin to get on the Narrows Trail.  In about 1/4 mile, the trail came West Cache Creek and we easily rock-hopped across.

Then, the trail got steep to climb up to a point above the Narrows.

I think the official trail ended here, but an obvious path led back down to the creek in the Narrows.  Some Dakota mock vervain was flowering.

There wasn't much of a path through the Narrows, but it was reasonably easy to nagivate.

I went about as far as I could and then turned back.

On the hike back, I spotted a water snake attempting to eat a lizard.  The lizard was a little too big and eventually got away.

After the show, we hiked back to the car.

It was getting into the afternoon, so we started leaving the refuge.  We spotted a couple deer along the road as we were leaving.

Upon leaving the refuge, we headed south back into Texas.  We had Italian for dinner at Genovas in Burkburnett and then stopped at Lucy Park in Wichita Falls.  A greenway trail led along Wichita River and we saw a blue-winged teal duck in the river.

Just before passing under the interstate, we came to Wichita Falls.

The city is named for the waterfall, but the natural one was destroyed in flooding more than hundred years ago.

The city built a new waterfall as a replacement for the city's namesake.

It's pretty scenic for a manmade waterfall and was visible from the interstate.  After some pictures, we headed back.

From here, we continued on to Decatur and checked into the Holiday Inn.

Turner Falls

Wednesday morning, we checked out of La Ville Inn and got breakfast then headed to Turner Falls Park.  We got there right at 8, but the gate wasn't opened yet so we drove a little further to the overlook at the zipline with a real nice view of Turner Falls.

By the time we returned, the gate had opened and we entered.  After paying admission, we parked for the waterfall.  There was a small castle just above the parking area.

Just past here was the larger Collings Castle.

Steep steps led up to the castle and we explored around a bit.

They claim it was once a home, but it seemed more like a defensive fortification than a house with no real rooms.

After some pictures, we continued on to the beautiful Turner Falls.

Swimming was unfortunately closed, I guess because it's not summer.  But that kept the crowds away and we mostly had the falls to ourselves.  The water sure looked inviting and the waterfall was surrounded by cool rock cliffs.

We walked all around the waterfall to get pictures from different angles.

Some clouds rolled in conveniently so we could get some decent pictures.

We hung out at the waterfall for about 30 minutes then returned to our car.

We drove over to the campground area and went for a hike along Honey Creek upstream of the waterfall.  Some Canada geese were in the campground.

There were a lot of wildflowers blooming along the creek.

Spiderwort and baby blue eyes were growing along the creek.

And there was a lot of Indian paintbrush in the open areas above the creek.

We followed the creek upstream for a ways.

Dakota mock vervain was flowering in abundance.

In the powerline clearing, there were more yellow flowers.

There were a lot of yellow daisies and desert chicory.

We went to around the park boundary and then turned back.

Leaving the park, we stopped at an overlook with an expansive view.

And we made one more stop near the exit at Blue Pool.

Swimming was prohibited here too, but the pool was really beautiful.

After that, we left the park.

Driving west, we stopped in Duncan for lunch at the Taqueria Los Dos Hermanos taco truck.  I think it was the best quesadillas I've ever had.  Then we continued to Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and parked at Quanah Parker Dam.  On the road to the dam, we pulled over to see a Texas longhorn.

Quanah Parker Lake was very pretty.

At the dam parking, there was a female collared lizard next to the trailhead.

Little Baldy Trail crossed the top of the scenic dam.  With low water, nothing was flowing out of the dam. 

Beyond the dam, the trail continued less than a mile up to Little Baldy.  With very open conditions, we could see the mountain the entire hike.

There were a lot more of the collared lizards around here.  The males are a beautiful turquoise color.

There was also some green milkweed getting ready to flower.

The open views of the lake along the trail were great.

And despite the arid conditions, we saw a number of wildflowers blooming.

A black swallowtail was nectaring on Indian paintbrush.

Atlantic camas were another pretty wildflower.

The trail wrapped around the backside of the mountain and climbed up to the top.

The views of the lake and the surrounding refuge were great from up here.

But my favorite part was a cool balanced rock.

It was quite windy so we didn't stay at the top for long.

As we got back to the trailhead, I went out along the lake for a couple more pictures.

And then we took off.

We made another stop at the Visitor Center just up the road to read a little about the area.  Just past here, we pulled off to see a herd of bison just off the road.  One was rustling up dust all around.

Next, we continued to Mount Scott Road and started driving up.  There were great views from the road.

We parked at the top and milled around for some great views.

It was really windy up here, but the views over the Wichita Mountains were great.

But it was too windy to stay long.

I did find the survey marker to mark the official summit of the mountain.

From here, we drove into Lawton and checked into the Hilton Garden Inn.  For dinner, we walked next door to Bricktown Brewery.  There was a crazy hail storm after we got back to the room, but fortunately didn't damage the rental car.