Blake Batchelor

Figure out how you're going to shuttle your car and kayak. The float begins in Yukon, which is on the west side of OKC. Drive to the center of Yukon and turn north on Piedmont Rd. (Hwy 4) Drive a few miles north to the N. Canadian bridge. Park on the NE or NW side of the bridge. The parking is not great, but there is a good walking path down to the river.  The float ends roughly 8 miles later a...

The Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge is a nature and wildlife preserve on the west side of OKC that surrounds a section of the North Canadian River. The main put-in and take-out for kayaks is located on 39th and Lake Overholser Drive at the Route 66 bridge parking area in Bethany, OK. There is plenty of parking and a gravel boat ramp. There is usually a SUP rental truck as well as a Boathouse a few b...

Park at the Post Oak/Treasure lake Trailhead. Follow one of the well-worn trails north. There are a few trails at the start that eventually wind into each other. After 1/2 mile of going due north up and down some hills and crossing a plateau, look for a small unmarked trail heading east off the main trail. It follows a small creek about 50 yards back to Post Oak Falls. There's a small cave/mine...

After driving down some dirt roads to the marked location, park in the main parking area. Free car camping is allowed here. Look across the blank landscape to the east. A compass may help you keep your bearing while out hiking because there are no trails or trail markers. Exit the parking area by opening and closing the cattle guard. Head due east across the flat landscape towards two big hills...

Starting from the Sunset Trailhead/Parking Lot on far west side of the refuge, hike west out of the parking lot a few hundred feet to the trailhead that heads into a well-developed trail through the trees. This is different than the Elk Mountain trail which heads south from the parking lot. Hike through the trees for a half mile before reaching a creek bed which is almost always dry. Continue w...

This hike can be difficult for a dog. There is one area where crossing the boulders can be dangerous. Use caution and turn around if you're not comfortable taking kids or pets over the some of the boulder jumps. They are easy but there is a drop between some of the boulders. Start from the Sunset Parking Lot. Hike west out of the parking lot (I follow the service road) a couple hundred yards to...

Call and reserve the water cave in advance. It is a group site and will cost around $40. Drive to Alabaster Caverns State Park in NW Oklahoma. Pick up your permits from the visitor center. Park in the NW corner of the main parking area. You will take a trail northwest for a few hundred yards before reaching the edge of a canyon and turning east to access the cave and campground. It's a short hi...

This is an 8-12 hour technical adventure that is usually done as an overnight backpack. Consider hiring a local guide service such as Excursions of Escalante or Escalante Outfitters! We did this as a self-guided excursion. A group is recommended because you may experience keeper potholes depending on water levels in the slot canyon. Please have a 4x4 car with high clearance. Drive to the beginn...

Drive to Alabaster Caverns State Park. Wild Caving is open From April 1-September 30th. You must have at least 3 people in your party. You must all have helmets and at least 2 light sources per person. Go to the visitor center to get permits and the map. Refer to the map for all route-finding! Owl cave has a big main chamber and goes back a ways into a tunnel before dead-ending. Ice Stalactite ...

Drive to Hole in the Rock Road outside of Escalante UT. Drive SE down the all-dirt Hole in the Rock Road for 36 miles to a signed turn off on your left. The road can be sandy and bumpy from here, so consider the car you're using. Travel NE for 7 miles to the 40 Mile Ridge TH. From Here, follow a well worn and cairned trail to the NE for about 2 miles until you reach the rim of the Coyote Gulch....

Park at the base of Mt. Scott in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma. This ride may be linked up with other routes around the refuge or Medicine Park. The route is a straight out and back up and down Mt. Scott. It is 2.7 miles at a consistent 7.5% grade. Some people do multiple laps on Mt. Scott. There are no restrooms or water at Mt. Scott so plan ahead. Medicine Park is only 5 min...

The Mt. Scott Fire Road parking is within the first few hundred yards on your right after entering the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. It is the pullout after you pass the Osage Lake parking lot. Keep an eye out for the dirt road/trail that runs NE from this road pullout. It's pretty easy to spot. You will follow this wide, double-track fire road for your ride. Please look on google maps or ...

Park at the OKCBF Sailing Center marked on the map. This is located on the southern shore of Lake Hefner. There are other boat ramps, but this one has a sandy beach that is nice to launch from. There is good fishing on all parts of the Lake. Full moon paddles are offered monthly during the summer months by OKC Kayak. Paddling NE to the lighthouse is always fun and on certain evenings there is l...