Tie-Dye Mike - Aug 13, 2007 11:59 pm Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2007
Climbing with Gramps and bouldering
Went off trail to explore the black volcanic rock before the switchback to the top. Decided to climb that route instead, while my 70 year old grandfather climbed the regular route. My 9th HP, his 2nd. The cacti were amazing on the trail, and in bloom. About 70-75 degree's F for mid March, but would recommend this time of year. Beautiful summit in a desert sort of way!
HP #32! This was HP #5 on a 2 week roadtrip with Paul. We were the only ones at the trailhead in the morning and the only ones at the summit. Cool, cloudy, breezy conditions made for a decent hike and the easiest hike of the trip. Yay Oklahoma!
Zandt - Jun 25, 2007 2:21 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2007
Stunning morning hike
Started at 0800, hiked through wildflowers and among jackrabbits and yuccas...really stunning hike. The switchbacks onto the mesa caught me off-guard -- they're harder'n they look. Was SHP #2 (after home state Texas!), would -love- to come back in winter. Nearby Boise City was the stereotypical sleepy country town...great morning.
2skinners - Jun 22, 2007 6:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2007
HP #7 Hot!!!
100 degrees. Very Isolated. Very Beautiful area. I had it all to myself. I did the 8.4 mile round trip in 3 hours and 10 minutes. That includes the 30 minutes or so that I spent taking pictures. Made it down right at sunset. This was my 4th and final highpoint of a 3 day/4 highpoint journey. Summitted the same day as Mount Sunflower.
huskertriguy - May 29, 2007 4:38 pm Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2006
Best Highpoint to Date
Part of a marathon drive from Omaha to bag two highpoints with a friend.
Ran to summit almost non-stop, save for a bowel-related emergency near short dike near trailhead. Initially thought txmountaineer a wuss for not running the entire trail, but those switchbacks, while easy enough to hike, can be difficult to run.
No one around the entire time we hiked. Not sure of exact date, but it was a weekday. Beautiful views. Hiked from highpoint marker to NM border. Lingered a bit to enjoy the silence. Luckily - it would appear from the register - it was almost entirely still with no wind.
Highly recommend this highpoint. Rugged, virtually untouched landscape.
boisedoc - Apr 7, 2007 2:41 am Date Climbed: Jun 13, 1993
flat
had a good burger in a nearby town. Pretty darn flat on that mesa.
The edge - Mar 14, 2007 4:00 pm Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2002
HP #38
OK, on to Black Mesa; we got there just in time to get to the top and back down before darkness... We didn't even have time to dry our tent from the Wheeler attempt the day before...we slept on the farmers field just at the base of the mountain just near the cows that were roaming around all night!!!
Mountain Jim - Jan 7, 2007 3:29 am Date Climbed: May 3, 1997
The North Slopes
Interesting country. Reminds me a little bit of Utah. Nice summit marker.
huskerhiker - Oct 30, 2006 10:53 am Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2006
Best Highpoint to Date
Highpoint #3
Part of a marathon drive from Omaha to bag two highpoints with a friend.
Ran to summit almost non-stop, save for a bowel-related emergency near short dike near trailhead. Initially thought txmountaineer a wuss for not running the entire trail, but those switchbacks, while easy enough to hike, can be difficult to run.
No one around the entire time we hiked. Not sure of exact date, but it was a weekday. Beautiful views. Hiked from highpoint marker to NM border. Lingered a bit to enjoy the silence. Luckily - it would appear from the register - it was almost entirely still with no wind.
Highly recommend this highpoint. Rugged, virtually untouched landscape.
Hiked it in awful storm conbditions in 1996, again after a snowfall in 1999 (beautiful). Be sure to enjoy the Merc in Kenton afterwards. Neat area.
noggin - Oct 6, 2006 8:31 pm Date Climbed: Mar 5, 2005
Standard Route
This hike consists of a flat walk to the mesa, followed by a steep short stint to get on top, ending with a flat walk to the monument. Nice, easy, short. It was a very pleasant day.
woodstrider - Oct 2, 2006 9:49 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2006
Hot day at Black Mesa
Hiked from the Nature Conservancy's trailhead about 4.2 miles to the summit of Black Mesa in 100 degree heat and under clear skies. Probably the most quiet summit that I have ever visited with the least amount of shade available. Came down by crossing the mesa and finding a way down through the cliffs and hitting the trail about 1 mile from the trailhead. I do not recommend this for others unless you feel comfortable going cross country. The trail is very good and easy to follow with many signs giving milage (one way). So hot even the rattle snakes were hiding. RT time to summit and back; 4 hours-2 up, 1.5 down, and 1/2 hour rest on summit.
osatrik - Sep 1, 2006 4:55 am Date Climbed: Apr 12, 1993
2nd try is the charm
The first time we tried to do Black Mesa, in December 1987, we were moving our family across the country. I slid off the farm road on the north side of the mesa (dry road surface, WET under the dry layer!) and tore a hole in my radiator hose. Tied my daughter's sweat shirt around the damage and rushed back to the little store, where the owner (also postmaster, school bus driver, etc.) gave me four milk jugs of water and sent me back to Boise City. It took us a day to get the car fixed, and then we had to get moving to Colorado.
Five and a half years later we were successful. Worried a lot about snakes in the rocks around the rim, but didn't see any. This was number 39 of my 49 state high points, and daughter Vanessa's #38.
Scott Wisher - Aug 14, 2006 10:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2006
First Time in OK
My first trip to Oklahoma was a successful one. I got back to the car with about 2 minutes to spare before 3+ inches of rain with very intense lightning befell the area.
If youre afraid of cows, you should probably avoid this one.
blephoto - Jun 24, 2006 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2005
Black Mesa, Oklahoma
Another highpoint alone. This was an easy one. When I climbed it there were no other people on the trail or at the marker. Be sure to go to the South rim of the mesa to just sit and take in the veiw of the surrounding area. I love the lonely open places. This was highpoint #3.
TLP - May 29, 2006 1:39 pm Date Climbed: May 23, 2006
Sun Blasted
Got there later than I wanted to. So had to hike it at high noon in the BLAZING sun. I don't recommend anyone else doing that! I got a nice sunburn from that. Very, very scenic part of the country. Was a totally clear day. Not a cloud in the sky. Just WAY too HOT. HOT. HOT.
Ilafan - Apr 14, 2006 2:33 am Date Climbed: Apr 9, 2006
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhk-lahoma!
Loved it! People who complain about this one have no sense of history or appreciation for that county. This one shows that highpoint hiking is more than just X-treme dudes hanging off mountaintops. It's about seeing a part of the country that helped shape our history. Walking this trail at sunrise, all by myself, I loved the sounds and sights. I heard roosters crow, cows moo, and birds chirp. I even saw a roadrunner. I could almost see John Wayne or the characters from McMurtry's Lonesome Dove. This country is so different than MN; I think that's why I like it so much. No snakes, either!! :)
NanitaD - Apr 7, 2006 1:17 am Date Climbed: May 3, 1997
South side
We'd gone to Mt. Sunflower the high point in Kansas, then to the lowest point in Colorado, and on to the high point of Oklahoma all in one trip. I like the summit monument with milage to distant places like NY.
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: June 3, 2003
Soloed highpoint #17. Saw no snakes, just cows getting in my way! Probably was moving too fast anyway. Highly recommend stopping at the Merc & stayed the night before at the Kenton Kabins, though I hear it's up for sale now.
Tie-Dye Mike - Aug 13, 2007 11:59 pm Date Climbed: Mar 12, 2007
Climbing with Gramps and boulderingWent off trail to explore the black volcanic rock before the switchback to the top. Decided to climb that route instead, while my 70 year old grandfather climbed the regular route. My 9th HP, his 2nd. The cacti were amazing on the trail, and in bloom. About 70-75 degree's F for mid March, but would recommend this time of year. Beautiful summit in a desert sort of way!
starship_jen - Jul 9, 2007 2:35 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2007
HP #32HP #32! This was HP #5 on a 2 week roadtrip with Paul. We were the only ones at the trailhead in the morning and the only ones at the summit. Cool, cloudy, breezy conditions made for a decent hike and the easiest hike of the trip. Yay Oklahoma!
Zandt - Jun 25, 2007 2:21 pm Date Climbed: Jun 18, 2007
Stunning morning hikeStarted at 0800, hiked through wildflowers and among jackrabbits and yuccas...really stunning hike. The switchbacks onto the mesa caught me off-guard -- they're harder'n they look. Was SHP #2 (after home state Texas!), would -love- to come back in winter. Nearby Boise City was the stereotypical sleepy country town...great morning.
2skinners - Jun 22, 2007 6:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2007
HP #7 Hot!!!100 degrees. Very Isolated. Very Beautiful area. I had it all to myself. I did the 8.4 mile round trip in 3 hours and 10 minutes. That includes the 30 minutes or so that I spent taking pictures. Made it down right at sunset. This was my 4th and final highpoint of a 3 day/4 highpoint journey. Summitted the same day as Mount Sunflower.
huskertriguy - May 29, 2007 4:38 pm Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2006
Best Highpoint to DatePart of a marathon drive from Omaha to bag two highpoints with a friend.
Ran to summit almost non-stop, save for a bowel-related emergency near short dike near trailhead. Initially thought txmountaineer a wuss for not running the entire trail, but those switchbacks, while easy enough to hike, can be difficult to run.
No one around the entire time we hiked. Not sure of exact date, but it was a weekday. Beautiful views. Hiked from highpoint marker to NM border. Lingered a bit to enjoy the silence. Luckily - it would appear from the register - it was almost entirely still with no wind.
Highly recommend this highpoint. Rugged, virtually untouched landscape.
boisedoc - Apr 7, 2007 2:41 am Date Climbed: Jun 13, 1993
flathad a good burger in a nearby town. Pretty darn flat on that mesa.
The edge - Mar 14, 2007 4:00 pm Date Climbed: Feb 12, 2002
HP #38OK, on to Black Mesa; we got there just in time to get to the top and back down before darkness... We didn't even have time to dry our tent from the Wheeler attempt the day before...we slept on the farmers field just at the base of the mountain just near the cows that were roaming around all night!!!
Mountain Jim - Jan 7, 2007 3:29 am Date Climbed: May 3, 1997
The North SlopesInteresting country. Reminds me a little bit of Utah. Nice summit marker.
huskerhiker - Oct 30, 2006 10:53 am Date Climbed: Jan 15, 2006
Best Highpoint to DateHighpoint #3
Part of a marathon drive from Omaha to bag two highpoints with a friend.
Ran to summit almost non-stop, save for a bowel-related emergency near short dike near trailhead. Initially thought txmountaineer a wuss for not running the entire trail, but those switchbacks, while easy enough to hike, can be difficult to run.
No one around the entire time we hiked. Not sure of exact date, but it was a weekday. Beautiful views. Hiked from highpoint marker to NM border. Lingered a bit to enjoy the silence. Luckily - it would appear from the register - it was almost entirely still with no wind.
Highly recommend this highpoint. Rugged, virtually untouched landscape.
surgent - Oct 19, 2006 8:02 pm
TwiceHiked it in awful storm conbditions in 1996, again after a snowfall in 1999 (beautiful). Be sure to enjoy the Merc in Kenton afterwards. Neat area.
noggin - Oct 6, 2006 8:31 pm Date Climbed: Mar 5, 2005
Standard RouteThis hike consists of a flat walk to the mesa, followed by a steep short stint to get on top, ending with a flat walk to the monument. Nice, easy, short. It was a very pleasant day.
woodstrider - Oct 2, 2006 9:49 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2006
Hot day at Black MesaHiked from the Nature Conservancy's trailhead about 4.2 miles to the summit of Black Mesa in 100 degree heat and under clear skies. Probably the most quiet summit that I have ever visited with the least amount of shade available. Came down by crossing the mesa and finding a way down through the cliffs and hitting the trail about 1 mile from the trailhead. I do not recommend this for others unless you feel comfortable going cross country. The trail is very good and easy to follow with many signs giving milage (one way). So hot even the rattle snakes were hiding. RT time to summit and back; 4 hours-2 up, 1.5 down, and 1/2 hour rest on summit.
osatrik - Sep 1, 2006 4:55 am Date Climbed: Apr 12, 1993
2nd try is the charmThe first time we tried to do Black Mesa, in December 1987, we were moving our family across the country. I slid off the farm road on the north side of the mesa (dry road surface, WET under the dry layer!) and tore a hole in my radiator hose. Tied my daughter's sweat shirt around the damage and rushed back to the little store, where the owner (also postmaster, school bus driver, etc.) gave me four milk jugs of water and sent me back to Boise City. It took us a day to get the car fixed, and then we had to get moving to Colorado.
Five and a half years later we were successful. Worried a lot about snakes in the rocks around the rim, but didn't see any. This was number 39 of my 49 state high points, and daughter Vanessa's #38.
Scott Wisher - Aug 14, 2006 10:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2006
First Time in OKMy first trip to Oklahoma was a successful one. I got back to the car with about 2 minutes to spare before 3+ inches of rain with very intense lightning befell the area.
JYD - Jul 13, 2006 1:02 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2006
OkieIf youre afraid of cows, you should probably avoid this one.
blephoto - Jun 24, 2006 10:05 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2005
Black Mesa, OklahomaAnother highpoint alone. This was an easy one. When I climbed it there were no other people on the trail or at the marker. Be sure to go to the South rim of the mesa to just sit and take in the veiw of the surrounding area. I love the lonely open places. This was highpoint #3.
TLP - May 29, 2006 1:39 pm Date Climbed: May 23, 2006
Sun BlastedGot there later than I wanted to. So had to hike it at high noon in the BLAZING sun. I don't recommend anyone else doing that! I got a nice sunburn from that. Very, very scenic part of the country. Was a totally clear day. Not a cloud in the sky. Just WAY too HOT. HOT. HOT.
Ilafan - Apr 14, 2006 2:33 am Date Climbed: Apr 9, 2006
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhk-lahoma!Loved it! People who complain about this one have no sense of history or appreciation for that county. This one shows that highpoint hiking is more than just X-treme dudes hanging off mountaintops. It's about seeing a part of the country that helped shape our history. Walking this trail at sunrise, all by myself, I loved the sounds and sights. I heard roosters crow, cows moo, and birds chirp. I even saw a roadrunner. I could almost see John Wayne or the characters from McMurtry's Lonesome Dove. This country is so different than MN; I think that's why I like it so much. No snakes, either!! :)
NanitaD - Apr 7, 2006 1:17 am Date Climbed: May 3, 1997
South sideWe'd gone to Mt. Sunflower the high point in Kansas, then to the lowest point in Colorado, and on to the high point of Oklahoma all in one trip. I like the summit monument with milage to distant places like NY.
koz - Jan 3, 2006 12:04 am
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: June 3, 2003Soloed highpoint #17. Saw no snakes, just cows getting in my way! Probably was moving too fast anyway. Highly recommend stopping at the Merc & stayed the night before at the Kenton Kabins, though I hear it's up for sale now.