A Rare and Ancient Treasure in the Oklahoma Mountains

When was the last time you visited a place that seemed to transport you back in time? The Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Preserve in Oklahoma is that kind of place. It is one of the last remnants of virgin prairie in existence in North America, and its intensely wild and rugged beauty is awe-inspiring.

The 59,020 acre Preserve established in 1901 boasts buffalo herds, two prairie dog "towns", elk, deer, and many other critical prairie species. Granite mountains over two thousand feet high jut abruptly out of the prairie like massive piles of weathered rock. The prairie itself is rocky. This extreme rockiness enabled it to survive in its ancient and pristine state, unscathed by the onslaught of the John Deere.

Buffalo herds roam wild and free here. One female with a calf turned her gaze my way and our eyes locked briefly. At that intense moment my spirit seemed to connect deeply with this revered symbol of the ancient and nearly extinct virgin prairie. After a few minutes she looked away, a long piece of grass hanging out of her mouth while she chewed on it. The soft click of the camera shutter seemed thunderous amidst the prairie's tranquility. Still chewing, she and her calf began moving with the herd out into the prairie. The sound of the buffalo gently moving through the grasses conjured up images of this same prairie two centuries ago, when millions of these magnificent animals would have wandered this land, not just a few hundred. The prairie seems to echo the rumbling of millions of hooves, as if in remembrance of that long ago time.

In stark contrast to the tranquility of the buffalo are the busy little prairie dogs yipping and milling about. Attracted by their antics, a lone coyote came to investigate, attempting to secure himself a prairie dog dinner. Eventually he left discouraged, as the prairie dogs dove into their holes and popped back up several yards away, taunting him. He headed off toward a herd of buffalo that were grazing in the distance. They ignored him and he disappeared into the tall grass. The setting sun bathed the prairie in a golden glow and cast a purple hue on the granite masses looming up in the horizon. This ancient landscape stirs up powerful sensations of remoteness and solitude. Is this 2009 or the days long ago when Apache hunters roamed the plains and lived in harmony with this land? It is easy here to get lost in the past.

Wichita Mountains Refuge has something for everyone. The main road Refuge road offers opportunities to see abundant wildlife. A scenic drive enables visitors to easily access the summit of Mount Scott. There are several picnic areas, a beautiful Visitor Center, and a campground within the Refuge. Visitors can boat, fish, hunt, hike and climb. The Charon's Garden Wilderness area offers rugged trails, unique rock formations, canyons, a waterfall, and remote backcountry camping.

For permits and information contact Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Headquarters by phone at 580/429-3222, on the web at wichitamountains.fws.gov, or at 32 Refuge Headquarters, Indiahoma, OK, 73552.