Mount Scott (Oklahoma)
Encyclopedia
Mount Scott is a prominent mountain just to the northwest of Lawton Oklahoma rising to a height of 2464 feet (751 m) above sea level. It is located in the Wichita Mountains
near Fort Sill Military Reservation
and lies in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for the maintenance of the area. Visitors can reach the summit by car or bicycle
via a three-mile paved road. Hiking
is allowed, although there are no formal trails and the paved road is closed to pedestrians. Mount Scott is also popular for its numerous rock climbing
areas.
and Fort Sill
. The area is located near I-44, and is about 90 miles (145 km) from Oklahoma City
. The Wildlife Refuge's proximity to Fort Sill means that the sound of artillery fire can often be heard by visitors and is sometimes mistaken for thunder.
Mount Scott is the second-highest mountain in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, but it remains the most well-known and regularly visited. The 3+ mile paved road that winds from the base to the top of Mount Scott offers breath-taking views of the surrounding Oklahoma plains. Mt Pinchot lies several miles to the west and is the highest point in the Refuge being 12 feet taller. Mt Pinchot is located within the Wildlife Refuge's Special Use Area and is closed to the public. From the west side of Mt Scott can be seen several prominent mountains to the west including Mt Sheridan, Elk Mountain, and Haley peak which lies just outside the NW corner of the WMWR. Haley Peak (officially unnamed) is the highest point in the Wichita Mountain range.
The Blue Canyon Wind Farm
is north of Mount Scott, and the wind turbines are visible from the access road.
Bicycles are allowed on the paved road leading to the summit of Mount Scott. Although the distance is fairly short, the ride is not recommended for beginners. The steep grades involved, heavy crosswinds, sharp turns, and automobile traffic could make the ride dangerous.
There are no hiking trails to the summit and large pedestrian groups are prohibited on the paved road. However, visitors are allowed to park at the base of the mountain and hike to a number of the rock climbing areas available on the mountain.
Wichita Mountains
The Wichita Mountains are located in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The mountains are a northwest-southeast trending series of rocky promontories, many capped by 540 million-year old granite. These were exposed and rounded by weathering during the Permian Period...
near Fort Sill Military Reservation
Fort Sill
Fort Sill is a United States Army post near Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.Today, Fort Sill remains the only active Army installation of all the forts on the South Plains built during the Indian Wars...
and lies in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for the maintenance of the area. Visitors can reach the summit by car or bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
via a three-mile paved road. Hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
is allowed, although there are no formal trails and the paved road is closed to pedestrians. Mount Scott is also popular for its numerous rock climbing
Rock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
areas.
Geography
The Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge is located in southwestern Oklahoma, just North of the city of LawtonLawton, Oklahoma
The city of Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in the southwestern region of Oklahoma approximately southwest of Oklahoma City, it is the principal city of the Lawton Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Fort Sill
Fort Sill
Fort Sill is a United States Army post near Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.Today, Fort Sill remains the only active Army installation of all the forts on the South Plains built during the Indian Wars...
. The area is located near I-44, and is about 90 miles (145 km) from Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
. The Wildlife Refuge's proximity to Fort Sill means that the sound of artillery fire can often be heard by visitors and is sometimes mistaken for thunder.
Mount Scott is the second-highest mountain in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, but it remains the most well-known and regularly visited. The 3+ mile paved road that winds from the base to the top of Mount Scott offers breath-taking views of the surrounding Oklahoma plains. Mt Pinchot lies several miles to the west and is the highest point in the Refuge being 12 feet taller. Mt Pinchot is located within the Wildlife Refuge's Special Use Area and is closed to the public. From the west side of Mt Scott can be seen several prominent mountains to the west including Mt Sheridan, Elk Mountain, and Haley peak which lies just outside the NW corner of the WMWR. Haley Peak (officially unnamed) is the highest point in the Wichita Mountain range.
The Blue Canyon Wind Farm
Blue Canyon Wind Farm
Blue Canyon Wind Farm is the largest wind farm in Oklahoma, United States. The project, located in the Slick Hills north of Lawton, consists of three phases....
is north of Mount Scott, and the wind turbines are visible from the access road.
Routes
The easiest way to reach the summit is by car. A three-mile paved road is open during the day, and visitors can stop at any of several scenic pullouts located along the road. Parking is available at the top of the mountain.Bicycles are allowed on the paved road leading to the summit of Mount Scott. Although the distance is fairly short, the ride is not recommended for beginners. The steep grades involved, heavy crosswinds, sharp turns, and automobile traffic could make the ride dangerous.
There are no hiking trails to the summit and large pedestrian groups are prohibited on the paved road. However, visitors are allowed to park at the base of the mountain and hike to a number of the rock climbing areas available on the mountain.