Tulsa: Horse Thief Springs Loop
Cut through the towering pines of Holson Valley to the rocky shelf of Winding Stair Mountain on this 12.8-mile dayhike or overnight in the Ouachitas. Primitive camping allowed.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 17.2
Waypoints
HSL001
Location: 34.7788543701172, -94.6924362182617
Cedar Lake trailhead; trail (marked with white blazes) runs S
HSL002
Location: 34.7662124633789, -94.7066040039062
Cross Holson Valley Rd. into mostly pine forest
HSL003
Location: 34.7626991271973, -94.7101974487305
Turn [email protected], heading downhill on rock-strewn loop
HSL004
Location: 34.7610816955566, -94.7046585083008
Cross the braided beds of Cedar Creek; often dry from July to October
HSL005
Location: 34.749698638916, -94.7139511108398
Excellent protected campsite under towering pines.
Local wisdom: Nearby forest road is washed out ahead; no motorized traffic
HSL006
Location: 34.7470245361328, -94.7145080566406
Cross Cedar Creek again; begin ascent Winding Stair Mtn.
HSL007
Location: 34.7382621765137, -94.7245483398438
Turn R onto Ouachita Trail (blue blazes); pines thin into hardwood forest
HSL008
Location: 34.7379722595215, -94.727165222168
Horse Thief Springs (fairly reliable); navigate rock garden next 1.2 miles
HSL009
Location: 34.7433700561523, -94.7455825805664
Turn R, bearing N down a steady hillside
HSL010
Location: 34.7536277770996, -94.7445755004883
Turn R and follow forest road for .25 mile; trail enters woods again on R
HSL011
Location: 34.7598075866699, -94.7285385131836
Trek a long, pine-covered ridge under Snake Mountain
HSL012
Location: 34.7626419067383, -94.7103729248047
Turn L and go last 2.1 miles to Cedar Lake trailhead
