Elk Mountain Trail, Wichita National Wildlife Refuge OK, Wed., 11/26/2014

Hike: Elk Mountain Trail, Wichita National Wildlife Refuge OK, Wed., Nov. 26, 2014, 12:15-14:15CST
Distance: 3 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Moderate due to elevation and boulders
Conditions: Bright blue sky.  Temps in mid 50s with brisk wind, especially near the summit.  Trails mostly dry with a few small puddles.

Thoughts/Observations:
Wonderful area to hike and explore.  Igneous rock mountains rise abruptly from the Oklahoma plains.  The boulders of all shapes and sizes add an other-worldly landscape to any hiking adventure in this refuge.  Most of the basalt/granite rock is "grippy" making bouldering (scrambling) a bit easier.  It can be rough on your finger-tips though.

Post Oaks are mostly "scrubby" due to rocky, thin soil, little rain, and windswept mountain faces.  They were in their "Fall" coats of brown and red.

The lower temperatures eliminated the problem of bothersome insects and there were no snakes to be seen.

Used my iPhone as a camera with good success.  One less item to take up the mountain.

Roxie (Rob and Diane's dog) really wanted to go with us, but this trail is not one for canines, too rocky and steep.

Ramblr App for hiking data again worked well:  Ramblr Elk Mountain Hike

Fall Hike at Swayback

Hike: Portions of Red and Black Trails at Swayback Trail of Legends, Wetumpka, AL, 11:00-12:10CST, 11/15/2014
Distance: 5.2 miles  Difficulty: Easy  Rating: 4/5
Conditions: Sunny.  Mid to upper 50s.  Wind mild to moderate.  Trails dry.
Thoughts/Observations:
Wonderful day for a Fall Hike.  Just reinforced what I already knew... that the Fall is my favorite time of the year!  The myriad colors, crisp mornings, smells, and sounds of the forest are so welcoming.  I relish hiking through the carpets of brown, gold, and rose leaves.  Red sumac stands vivid against the deep green of Lake Jordan.  Cast off brown and gray Big Leaf Magnolia leaves look like stones strewn along the pathway. 

Birds, passarines and raptors, are busy about their day.  No water birds made an appearance.  Insects were scarce (thanks to cooler temps).

Tried the Ramblr app for mapping and recording hikes on my iPhone.  Seemed to work fine.  Link below is to my ramblr archive:

Ramblr Archive

Worship song on my mind throughout most of the hike:  JESUS, YOU're My Firm Foundation

Jesus you're my firm foundation
I know I can stand secure
Jesus you're my firm foundation
I put my hope in your Holy Word
I put my hope in your Holy Word

I have a living hope (echo)
I have a future (echo)
God has a plan for me (echo)
Of this I'm sure, of this I'm sure.

Your Word is faithful (echo)
Mighty in power (echo)
God has delivered me (echo)
Of this I'm sure, Of this I'm sure

You're my firm foundation
You're the rock of my salvation
You're my firm foundation