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
