Hiking vs. climbing, LCBC 2024 slate Man of the Woods Experience
I took advantage of relatively warm weather and went hiking Winding Stair Mountain on Saturday.
My plan was to hike to the top of the mountain, but I did the opposite. I started out on a descent on the Ouachita Trail and didn’t go upward because I felt fine with my direction and exploring new territory.
That terrain only seemed new to me because I haven’t hiked around Winding Stair Mountain as much as I hoped I would in the past few years.
As time passed into the late afternoon, I had traveled south a significant —albeit unmeasured — distance. I realized that I only had 30-40 minutes before sunset.
Also, I had to keep in mind that sunlight disappears around Winding Stair Mountain sooner than it does in other places.
I quickly marched back north.
After crossing a stream, I went less than 20 yards before realizing I had lost the trail. I became frustrated, reminding myself that only sparse trail markings can be seen on those trails.
Not seeing any trail markings nearby, I decided to climb straight up the hill.
I climbed some big rocks and weaved around thin trees before getting back to the trail about 30 yards away from the road.
Maybe this year I will give myself more time on those trails, getting to the peak and more.
LeFlore County Bass Club 2024 schedule
Club tournaments March 9 at Broken Bow Lake, launching from Grasshopper Landing
March 30 at Wister Lake, launching from Ward’s Landing
April 6 at Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, launching from Applegate Cove
April 20 at Tenkiller Lake, launching from Chicken Creek
May 11 at Lake Eufaula, launching from Highway 9 East Landing
May 25 at Sardis Lake, launching from Potato Hills South
June 8 at Pine Creek, launching from Lost Rapids
Sept. 21 at Wister Lake, launching from Ward’s Landing
Open tournaments March 2 at Broken Bow Lake, launching from Grasshopper Landing
June 22 at Wister Lake, launching from Ward’s Landing
July 20 at Ward’s Lake, launching from Ward’s Landing
July 27 at Wister Lake, launching from Ward’s landing
Aug. 10 at Wister Lake, launching from Ward’s Landing
More information on the upcoming season will be coming soon.
Recycle. Save the world. Find me a trail. Have a great weekend.