Granite Mountain is one of six significant 2,000 ft. peaks (there are several minor points over 2000 ft.) located within the Charons Garden Wilderness of Southwestern Oklahoma. The Charons Garden Wilderess is located within the federally designated Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, the oldest managed wildlife preserve in the United States. Originally set aside in 1901 as the Wichita Forest Reserve by President William McKinley, the WMWR was renamed in 1905 by Theodore Roosevelt as the Wichita Game Preserve. On June 4, 1936, Congress officially designated this unique area the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

Granite Mountain as seen from Sunset Peak

Granite Mountain rises on the remote and very rugged western side of the wilderness, making it a great wilderness climb with very little chance of seeing anyone on or near the summit. As with other locations within the Charons Garden Wilderness, Granite offers plenty of bouldering and probably contains some walls high enough for some traditional rock climbing. There are no trails to the summit.

Some Wildlife History: A rare win for the environment Source

The rugged rocky outcrops, oak forests, and mixed grass prairies of the Wichita's create excellent habitat for herds of buffalo, elk and longhorn cattle. The preservation of this unique system of grasslands and prairie herds is the mission of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

The largest mass of land animals to ever exist was almost extinct by the late 1800's. To prevent the extinction of the buffalo, the Federal Government and concerned conservationists acquired stock and began to rebuild herds. Fifteen animals were returned to the Wichita's in 1907. Careful management has resulted in a successful herd which is maintained to about 525 animals. Surplus animals are rounded up each fall and sold at a live auction.

After the Civil War, 10 million unbranded Texas longhorn cattle were available to feed a young and growing nation. By the turn of the century, the western heritage represented by these cattle was being lost due to replacement by better meat producing breeds, In 1927, 30 head of longhorn were brought to the refuge to form a federal herd. The refuge now maintains about 300 longhorns.

Prior to 1900, hunting eliminated the native Merriam Elk from the Wichita's and seriously threatened the native deer. Introduction of Rocky Mountain Elk and management of the remaining deer assured the presence of both species today. Management now includes a fall harvest to keep the herds within the carrying capacity of the range.

Charons Garden Wilderness

The Charons Garden Wilderness is a beautiful 5,723-acre gem located within the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Oklahoma. The habitat consists of rock-studded mixed-grass prairie lands, cross-timbers type forested drainages and granite mountains. Lichens clothe the granite rocks, grasses range from short-grass species to lush stands of bluestem, and forests of oak and juniper grow along stream courses. Wildflowers and greenery abound in the spring.

The terrain is dominated by Elk Mountain with precipitous south and southwest slopes sharply faulted and cut by steep chimneys, many filled with a jumble of boulders. Unique wildlife include Rocky Mountain elk, bison, and the endangered black-capped vireo. Allowed uses include backpack camping by permit only with restrictions on length of stay and number of campers, unrestricted day-hiking and photography, guided interpretive hikes, elk hunting by permit, and research by permit. Several known rock climbing areas are located within the wilderness. See the Elk Mountain page for rock climbing information.

Text source: http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_wilderness_area/fws_reg2.htm#charons

Wildflower Section

Many Wildflowers abound in the Wichitas in the Spring. This is just a small sample of the wildflowers to be seen in the area.

Getting There

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge lies about 25 miles west of Lawton, Oklahoma. From Interstate 44, take the Medicine Park exit 45 and drive west on highway 49 about 10 miles to the refuge gate. Continue along highway 49 just past the visitor center, then take a right and continue along the highway a few miles until you reach a road that goes left towards the park headquarters. Continue on past the headquarters for about 3 miles. The road makes a 90 degree turn west and after about 1 mile, make a right turn at the sign leading to the south entrance to the Charons Garden Wilderness. The trailhead starts at the parking lot.

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Map

Caution: Drive the speed limit. There are buffalo, longhorn cattle, prairie dogs, and even elk possible on the roads. The speed limit is vigorously enforced.

Red Tape

Charons Garden Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness. Wilderness is land set aside as part of wild America, where man can be a visitor. The natural environment has not been disturbed. Travel is restricted to foot only in the Charons Garden Wilderness. No mechanized equipment is allowed.

Permits are issued for overnight visits for a maximum of 3 days. No permits are issued for Thursday. Reservations ahead of time may be necessary during high use periods such as Spring Break. Tentative reservations may be made in writing or by telephone up to 90 days in advance.

Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
R.R. #1 Box 448
Indiahoma, OK 73552
580.429.3222

No more than 10 people will be issued permits over any 3-day period.

A $2 per person administrative fee will be charged. The fee is non-refundable once a permit is issued. Payment must be received by the refuge within 10 days after notice of tentative reservation is mailed from the refuge. Check or money order shoud be made payable to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Upon receipt of payment, the permit will be sent by return mail.

Camping Regulations

The maximum length of stay is 3 days, 2 nights beginning with the sunup of the first day of the permit and ending at sunset of the third day.

Permitee vehicle can be parked outside the gate in the designated parking lot or inside the gate at Sunset Picnic Area.

Display bottom portion of permit on dash of vehicle and keep the top portion with you.

Campfires and open fires of any kind are strictly prohibited. Please use extreme caution if using a backpacker stove.

Caution: You will be camping in a wildlife refuge where animals move about freely. Please be alert for buffalo and longhorn cattle that pass through the area. Should the animals approach your site, secure your food items and seek a safe location. You should not threaten or attempt to scare the animals from your site. The animals may linger in the area for a short period of time before moving.

The possession or use of any alcoholic beverage, including beer containing 3.2% (or less) alcoholic content by weight, is prohibited.

When To Climb

Fall, Winter, and Spring are the best times to climb Granite Mountain. Late Spring and summer are usually oppresively hot; however, early June is probably the greenest and prettiest time of year with the wildflowers in full bloom. Take plenty of water.

Camping

Overnight camping is allowed in the Charons Garden Wilderness by permit only. See the "Red Tape" sections for camping rules and regulations.

Within the refuge, Doris campground has 90 sites including 20 electrical RV sites and 70 primitive tent sites. All sites are first-come/first-served. $10.00/night with electric and $6.00/night non electric tent site. It is approximately 8 miles west of Mt. Scott on the main road (highway 49). It has bathrooms, showers, drinking water, and a telephone. There is a campground host at the entrance. If arriving after hours (10:00 pm), do not occupy a site without prior registration.

More Camping is availabe at lake lawtonka. It is usually a dollar less than whatever doris is charging, and allows beers, firewood chopping, and gun toting.

If you want a good lunch or dinner in a historic early 1900's mining shack, check out this restaurant in Meers:

The Meers Store and Restaurant
580-429-8051

The Meers Store with some interesting geology as well

Click on their home page once you arrive at the site for information on the restaurant.

Mountain Conditions

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