Wichita Mountains National Wildlife refuge is one of the oldest and most prestigious national wildlife refuges in America. The refuge encompasses 59,020 acres (about 90 square miles) of native mixed-grass prairie and the wildlife that call it home. Over 40% of the refuge is Public Use Area, while the remainder is closed to protect the animals and their habitats from disturbance.
My wife and I visited and photographed this area many times during the past 15 years, but when we return there, we always find something special. Enjoy my Diary and a few reference shots!
Day 1, November 22, 2021, Monday: Left home around 10:30 AM and drove our trusted 4Runner Off-Road “Beast” with A-Liner Titanium Off Road pop-up camper trailer to Cedar Hill State Park, TX. We camped at Shady Ridge Camping Area, close to the tip of Joe Pool Lake, for one night, to make the drive more comfortable to Wichita Mountains. We made a relaxing late afternoon hike on the 0.8 mi. long Duck Pond Trail, then bought gas and ate a good home-cooked dinner in our camper.
Day 2, November 23, 2021, Tuesday: Up at 5:30 AM, after morning duties, I made a nice walk on the shore of Joe Pool Lake, enjoyed the sunrise then went back to the trailer. After a good breakfast, we packed and hitched “Titan”, then drove through Dallas-Forth Worth confusing highways in heavy traffic to Wichita Falls, then passing Lawton to Medicine Park, then to Doris Camp of Wichita Mountains NWR. The Visitor Center was closed because of COVID-19. We had a non-electric site for our camper and we had to bring enough drinking water with us because no potable water in the area. After setting up our camp, we drove around and checked the majority of the trailheads, and made exciting plans for the following days. We saw 49+18 bison, 5 white-tailed deer, 3 turkeys, and 20 Canada geese. We enjoyed the evening concert of Coyotes and the clear starry night.
Day 3, November 24, 2021, Wednesday: Slept well, up early then after morning duties, hiked to the near to the camp footbridge, and enjoyed the amazing play of light of dawn at 6:50 AM. Back to our tiny house camper, ate good breakfast then drove to Medicine Park Aquarium, then photographed boulders at the leg of Mount Scott. Drove to French Lake, hiked Long Horn Trail, and had a good time observing the Canada geese flocks territorial disagreements. We visited the Prairie Dog Town, where Lexi took a few pictures, then went back to camp around 5 PM. We were tired after the day, carried my heavy large-format photo backpack on the trails. Lexi cooked and ate a good dinner, enjoyed the day. We had total darkness at 6 PM, no disturbing lights around, just small campfires. Cloudy, windy night, 55 oF, the cold front will arrive during the night.
Day 4, November 25, 2021, Thursday, Thanksgiving Day: The strong wind cleared up the sky, and the temperature dropped to 37 oF. We are always prepared for challenging conditions. The morning was chilly, but we were warm in our tiny house “Titan”. We had a clear sky, the Sun slowly woke up, and after a good breakfast, we started our daily explorations and hikes. Hiked the French Lake’s Longhorn Trail then Post Oak and Treasure Lakes area confusing trails of Charon Garden. Late afternoon we drove to Cedar Plantation’s Parallel Forest, hiked the trails and photographed that area, then drove back to Doris Camp, and before dark, we enjoyed our short hike from the camp to the Nature Center’s peninsula. We had 33 oF in the evening, then 22 oF during the night. We had a clear sky and a beautiful starry night. The Milky Way was above us and we said Thank you for everything.
Day 5, November 26, 2021, Friday: Got up at 6 AM, 24 oF outside and our second propane valve did not open… so we had a morning drive to the nearby Lawton for propane change and refill, then took down our solar panel from our camper’s roof to place it to a sunnier spot for a better charge. After testing all of the equipment, we were ready to go. Checked Lost Lake area for Canada geese, then Boulders picnic area Creekside for Kingfisher then hiked the Nature trails and Quanah Parker Lake nearby areas. There was chilly outside, but we enjoyed the outings. Lexi cooked a tasty, camp-style dinner, then read, and stretched our tired legs and back in our warm, cozy tiny home. The weather was cold all day, 24 oF in the evening, and 37 oF during the night.
Day 6, November 27, 2021, Saturday: We slept well, got up at 7:15 AM, enjoyed the cloudy, chilly 43 oF morning. After my strong espresso and our breakfast, we decided to drive the “Across the Wichita” Auto Tour, started at West Entrance after Caddo Lake, then continued on Hwy 49 and 54, passed Glenn Mountains then Roosevelt, and the Camel Back Mountains. Continued to West, passed the Great Western Cattle Trail at Briggs Ranch, then at Blair, we turned North and drove to Quartz Mountains State Park. Walked around in the area, checked Lake Altus, saw 38 Sandhill Cranes in flight, a White Pelican, and many gulls on the Lake. Stopped at the Quartz Mountain Lodge and ate a good lunch/dinner at their Foggy Bottom Kitchen. Drove home almost in dark. The weather was cold (41 oF) all day and night.
Day 7, November 28, 2021, Sunday: after yesterday’s excellent, but hearty, heavy lunch/dinner, we didn’t sleep very well, but we heard two Great Horned Owls talking to each other, and the Coyotes were out too. The Sun was rising at 7:30 AM. Sipping my strong espresso, I enjoyed the beginning of the new day. After our breakfast, we hiked and photographed around Quanah Parker Lake, then drove to Medicine Park and hiked around Elmer Thomas Lake dam, then photographed the boulders of Mount Scott nearby the picnic area. Stopped at Boulders then at French Lake, then hiked and photographed the Caddo Lake area. At almost dusk, a large bison herd came from the Special use area, passed the road, but a young bison somehow separated from the herd, and did not find the passage to the others… Mama bison realized the separation and walked back to the opening, called the young bison then together passed the road then joined the main herd. We were delighted to see this and as a last day’s special gift, we kept this observation in our hearts.
Day 8, November 29, 2021, Monday: We were up at 6 AM, then quick morning duties started to pack, ate a good breakfast, and said goodbye to Doris Camp and to the Wichita Mountains. Drove to Medicine Park, then south on Turnpike 44 to Wichita Falls, then on 287 through Bowie and Decatur to Fort Worth, then through the Fort Worth-Dallas area confusing highway jungle to Cedar Hill State Park, where we set up our camper for one night. Enjoyed the late afternoon sunset light and quiet time, fly fishing in the Joe Pool Lake, and after this area driving madness, we had a well-deserved, great relaxed time. My Master Sheff wife made a good dinner, ate and chat, refreshed our trip memories. Good weather, evening 59 oF.
Day 9, November 30, 2021, Tuesday: Slept well, but we were so excited about going home and being home again, we were up early. Took a shower and ate a good breakfast, hitched the “Titan” to the “Beast” and drove from Cedar Hill State Park to home, to our beloved Loblolly pine forest at the Tahitian Village of Bastrop. Left 8:30 AM, stopped a few Rest areas, then arrived home safely at 1:00 PM. The weather turned warm here in Central Texas, and we just remembered to a few days ago freezing conditions. We had a great trip, enjoyed our close encounters with Nature, and we were happy.
