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Oklahoma Trails

Tulsa, OK: Winding Stair Trail

Explore a ragtag slice of Ouachita National Forest on this 7.6-mile route through a sylvan playground of foxes, deer, bears, and wild turkeys.

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Trail Facts

  • Distance: 12.2

Waypoints

WST001

Location: 34.7147598266602, -94.6769790649414

Camp @ Winding Stair campground, then hike .3 mi. NW on Talimena Scenic Drive to trailhead

WST002

Location: 34.7146186828613, -94.6798477172852

Turn L off road onto singletrack littered with fragrant needles; it’s a steep, 500-foot climb up wooded mountainside

WST003

Location: 34.7094612121582, -94.6773681640625

Summit unnamed peak; a foundation of old fire tower sits near top

WST004

Location: 34.707820892334, -94.6746063232422

Boulder seat makes for good game viewing. Ouachita comes from the Native American for “good hunting ground”

WST005

Location: 34.704761505127, -94.6744766235352

Trail ascends sharp switchbacks; S slopes dotted with oaks, black hickory, and wild plum

WST006

Location: 34.7017097473144, -94.6759033203125

Pass campsite; keep eyes peeled for region’s quartz crystal in a rainbow of colors and shapes (but don’t touch or take). Wrap W side of Rough Mountain

WST007

Location: 34.6952705383301, -94.6733093261719

Primitive campsite (no water)

WST008

Location: 34.6861190795898, -94.6589279174805

Turn L @ Y

WST009

Location: 34.6799812316894, -94.6566162109375

Rockslides block trail; cross carefully

WST010

Location: 34.6698303222656, -94.6533203125

The trail runs alongside Big Cedar Creek. Bear in mind that in late summer/fall the creek is dry, bar for some large ponds near the county road 6032.

WST011

Location: 34.6667594909668, -94.6486892700195

End @ US 259. Pick up shuttled car or retrace steps to beginning

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