Get Outdoors!

Backpacker Checklist

Outing Policies - Includes info on Liability Waiver

Outing Ratings - What does easy, moderate and strenuous mean?

• Monthly Moonlight Bike Ride
  Meet up each month on the Wednesday closest to the full moon at 8:00pm at Louis Restaurant on Lake Hefner. We ride various distances at a variety of paces and end the evening with drinks, food, and laughs on the Patio at Louis
  
   
• August 30th-31st/ September 1st - Nogal Peak Backpack – The Bonito valley, which provides trail access to the crest trail, got hammered by Hurricane Dolly and the road was washed out.  As a result, I’m postponing my Nogal Peak trip to Memorial Day weekend, 2009.  I just returned from New Mexico the week this happened and there was extensive coverage on the local news about the extent of the damage. CNN Story about the flooding
   
• August 31st - Dayhike in the Wichita Mtn Wildlife Refuge.  - We will hike up Elk Mountain in the Wildlife Refuge, always a favorite.  This trip is rated moderate.   Time permitting, we will hike a portion of the Charon's Garden's trail as well.  Meet up at the Gold Dome (NW 23rd & Classen, OKC) at 8:30 AM to form carpools or you can meet up at the Elk Mountain  trailhead at 10:30 AM (please e-mail the leader if you will be meeting us at the refuge).  See map of the trailhead via this link, or go main page of the refuge for more info.  Advance signup is not required but is recommended, e-mail dfranklin@ussok.com with questions or to sign up.  As with most club dayhikes, this will involve hiking over rough trails, so bring sturdy hiking boots, water, rain gear and a light lunch for the trail.  Trips are not canceled due to light rain, but will be canceled if severe thunderstorms are in the forecast. 
   
• September 12/13 Selman Living Lab Hike
  The Selman Living Laboratory (SLL) consist of 334 acres, two large caves (one a major hibernaculum for the Cave Myotis), 230 + wildflower species, 20 species of prairie fish in Salty Creek, an astronomy observatory, bunkhouses for overnight student groups and researchers, and more. This will be a rare opportunity for club members to be on this research property hosted by Dr. Caire, former Dean of the College of Math and Science at UCO and director of the SLL. On Friday night we will join UCO mammalogy students in setting live traps for small rodents and mist nets for trapping bats. Saturday morning we will visit the traps to see what mammals were trapped. Other activities may include a plant walk and a short trip though a section of the cave. Saturday night, on the way home, we will visit a cave on private property to view the Mexican Freetail flight. Friday night there is limited beds available in the air conditioned “bunkhouse” style cabins. First come, first served. We return to Edmond late Saturday night. Contact Adrianne Holmes @ adrianneholmes@sbcglobal.net.  Full Info on the Selman outing can be found in this pdf
   
• October 11th 12th Kaw Lake Car Camp
  October 11 & 12 - Car camping at scenic Kaw Lake near Ponca City. Civilized tent camping at Osage Cove, with a day hike of about 7 miles on the Eagle View Trail along the lake's southeast side. Or mountain bike the trail for a bit of a thrill. Dinner Saturday night will be at the notorious Enrique's at Ponca City's airport. Contact Les Imboden - lesnpat@yahoo.com or 405-533-1532 Complete Kaw Lake Outing Info in this pdf
   
• October 18, 2008 - Birding And Burgers Outing - This joint offering with the Payne County Audubon Society will include a morning of birding at Pecan Springs Quail Preserve, followed by lunch prepared on site. Afternoon activities will be a choice of a native plant walkabout or fishing. Leaders: Les Imboden – lesnpat@yahoo.com  and Adrianne Holmes - adrianne.holmes@chk.com  Full info available in this Birding PDF
   
• November 1st and 2nd Beech Creek Hike
  Overnight backpack to Southeast Oklahoma. See the fall foliage and hike the trail system. Contact Vicki Eckerd golfing_gal@cox.net
   
• November 8th and 9th Red Rock Canyon Car Camp
  Car camp Red Rock Canyon and explore the surrounding trails. There will be a locavor hike and bike (road and mountain) rides. Contact Doug at isawwoo925@aol.com.
   
• November 22nd and 23rd Butterfield Trail Backpack
  November 22 & 23 - Backpack the Butterfield Trail at Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas. A walk in the autumn woods and camping at the confluence of two mountain streams. Not recommended for beginners, but it can be your second backpack. The group will take part in a joint "gourmet" campfire dinner Saturday night. Contact Blair Williams - Blair-Williams@ouhsc.edu  or 405-823-808.

The Outings Committee meets the second Sunday of the month, at various members’ homes. Contact Doug Hill: 405-476-7222 or Isawwood925@aol.com  for details.

 

Full Outing List

For a list of all outings originating in Oklahoma including those that leave from Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman, see our State Outings Website.