Black Mesa

The only significant hike during my recent weekend trip, Black Mesa, in the extreme western end of the Oklahoma panhandle, is, at 4,973 feet, the highest point in the state.  I planned to hike to the highpoint Saturday afternoon, but a flat tire 20 miles from the trailhead obliterated that plan.  Once I did find my way to the remote trailhead, the hike to the highpoint was fairly easy.  Except for a short section the trail is fairly level, the top of the mesa exceptionally so, with only a slight rise perceptible leading up to the obilesk that marks the official highpoint. A couple hundred yards to the south of the monument, the views from the southern rim of the mesa were worth the hike by themselves.  Immediately below the mesa is the Cimarron River Valley. While on the hazy horizon, I could discern the outline of Sierra Grande and Capulin Volcano.


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Black Mesa

Black Mesa Trail

Hiking atop Black Mesa

Oklahoma Highpoint Marker

Cimarron Valley

Trip Statistics
Length: 8.5 miles
Time: 3 hours 5 minute
Elev. Change: 638 ft.
Max Elev.: 4,973 ft.

Elevation Profile