Category Archives: Hiking

Lake Eufaula State Park ~Checotah, OK

LakeEufaulaA few weeks ago we were able to visit Lake Eufaula State Park.

We decided to take the Chinkapin Trail that is just across the road from the visitor center.

The trail runs pretty close to the shore of Lake Eufaula and was a nice hike.

chinkapintrailIt is an out and back and around 3 miles total.

We walked along the shore for a while though so we ended up getting more like 6 miles.

ninjasThese boys are getting too fast for me.

Especially when they are being Ninjas…

sign

throwMy boys love to hike along shore lines!

It is usually a very difficult hike since there are a lot of rocks and debris but they think it is a great adventure.

waterOnce my oldest pretended we were on the shores of Narnia the whole time.

log

climbing

climb

triumphTheir favorite thing is to make a hike more challenging.

I am worried about what my fitness level will need to be in a few years.

slide

walk

mapMy youngest found this rock and they were both convinced it would lead them to buried treasure.

My oldest was very sad that I would not lift the 2 ton rock he was sure the treasure was hidden under…

naturecenterThey have a nice small Nature Center at this park also.

objectsThe boys liked the table of things to touch.

look

workerThey also have a little Frogatorium!

greenfrogThey were a little low on frogs due to a sneaky snake that had found it’s way inside but the boys still really enjoyed it.

turtle

frogThis guy looks like one that camped out on my kitchen window last summer.

armidilloArmadillo!

play

merryThey do not have any long trails that are maintained and some of the park is a little worn down but it is still a nice place to stop.

They have a couple really easy, short trails so this would be a good place to take young children.

Multi-Use Trail ~Edmond, OK

CentrailStateMultiUseTrailThere are several places to access the Multi-Use Trail on Arcadia Lake in Edmond.

Spring Creek Park, Edmond Park, Central State Park, or the Park Office.

All of these entrances do have a fee though.

I have read that the park office is the cheapest.

dryIt is a really nice resource for those that live in the area.

juniperThe Juniper trees were loaded!

trailNice easy paths.

reddirtRed dirt with a lot of bike tracks.

sign creek We started at Central State Park and headed towards Spring Creek Park.

I wanted to start at Edmond Park but it was closed for the season.

us

It is a nice trail but since there is a fee and a lot of the trail follows the road closely, it is not worth the travel time to me.

If you live in the area though you should check it out.

Greenleaf State Park, Ankle Express Trail ~Braggs, OK

We went to Greenleaf State Park on Saturday!

We have been there twice but both times it has been VERY hot.

I was looking forward to seeing this park a new way.

You know, not through a delirious haze of heat exhaustion…

mapWe chose to drive into the trailhead off State HWY 10 so we did not have to walk on the Highway.

neglectedThe road in is really neglected and has a lot of deep ruts so I would not attempt this if you have a low vehicle.

theroadYou can always start at the trailhead in the north side of the park.

It will just add some miles to your hike.

roadtrailIf you park at this second trailhead than their are two different places to start.

This one is the first but there is a place further down the road with a better place to park that takes you along the lake.

boys watercrossThere were plenty of water crossings.

Much to my boys delight.

They love them.

I did not fall in so I was feeling pretty good about them as well.

pinesPine forests are my happy place.

me littleman arm2This little guy was right next to the trail with a buddy of his!

We always hear Armadillos before we ever see them.

If driving through a nature area or park it is best to have the windows down and be quiet.

That way you can hear the rustling sound they make while searching for food.

armThis is the closest I have been to one on a hike!

bridge bridge2This bridge is where you start the main part of the Ankle Express trail.

The full loop is around 18 miles with two primitive campgrounds.

We took the smaller loop that turns at the Mary Cove Campground and ended up doing just under 9 miles.

me3Even though the hills tried to kill me I apparently had enough energy left to do the small stunts that impress my boys…

I have to do it while they are still impressed by things like jumping over a log!

ice ice2The ice on the lake sounded like a windchime.

So pretty.

dock trees deerWe ended at that beautiful time right before sunset.

Perfect time for pictures and wildlife viewing!

I was hoping to see an eagle but no luck this time.

January and February are the peak Eagle viewing months in Oklahoma.

For a list of the best places to see one check out the travelok site, here.