One of the reasons we chose to stop in Waynoka was the recommendation to hike up Gloss Mountain and the other was the promise of riding ATVs on the sand dunes in the park.
We were not the only ones out on this over 100 degree day. No shade up on the mountain so we donned our kayaking hats to keep the sun off our heads. The trail up was built around 2000 as an Eagle Scout project.
The scene from the top of the mountain was other worldly. The Oklahoma Panhandle is actually the highpoint in the state elevation-wise.
The lack of vegetation offered us a almost bald summit on this mesa.
Two very hot and happy campers taking in the 360 views of Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico.
The Eagle Scout planned a nice route up the mountain but the metal hand rail was so hot we could not use it to steady ourselves.
Back in the parking lot we notice something we are noticing everywhere in the area…..Wild sunflowers…..we hypothesized.
This monument off the parking lot described the controversy as to what the mountain is called: Gloss or Glass mountain. Early settlers saw the sun gleaming of the mountain because of its makeup including selenite. We see the bottom of the monument as “Gloss Mountain Conservancy” so we figure that debate is over even though locals call it Glass Mountain.
Our next order of business in Waynoka was to ride ATVs on the dunes of the Little Sahara State Park.
We last posted about an ATV adventure was 4 years ago in the Anza-Borrego Desert in Southern California. We had a great 2 hour ride there in a 2 seater. This time around we upped the ante and rented 2 single ATVs.
Here is what our scenery looked like for the 4 hour rental . There are 1600 acres of sand to ride on here. We only came upon a few other souls riding the dunes that day.
We do not own ATVs but find them very exhilarating, especially when offered a large expanse of sand. The thumb throttle caused us a pain akin to having carpal tunnel (we guess). Thankfully after 30 minutes it dissipated so we happily throttled our way up down and around the sand.
Here are a few videos of the action:
After our ATV adventure we decided to take a “Sunday drive” through the area.
We found many an Oklahoma cow cooling off in the many ponds along the road. We asked a farmer if the ponds were manmade or natural. He claimed no farmer would want these ponds as while the cows bathe some of them get stuck and have to be extricated gently but firmly at the same time.
We stopped at one of the many roadside cemeteries to search for any of the original pioneer gravesites. We did not find one but got a picture of this very large bug. Is it a grasshopper, cicada or what. Not sure but oh my were they everywhere. Odd thing about Oklahoma is that all the small, non-family cemeteries are labeled on the main roads with directions to each cemetery down the side roads.
This is not a diamond earring but a dried piece of thistle. Our campsite had so many of these buggers laying around we could not bring our shoes into the camper. They are the most freaking sharp things my body has ever felt. Every part of this dried plant was sharp so if it got on you, ala burdocks, even trying to take it off your shoe or clothes was very painful. Best we can tell, these are remnants of the Russian thistle plant brought over by the Russian settlers pre-dust bowl era.
Sunset at our lonely campsite. There are over 700 spots for RVs but we were the only ones there for our 4 day summer adventure. Maybe the heat was keeping folks away? Although they said whenever there is an event nearby, they are always overbooked.