Most of the time I try to write something up with some sort of point in mind.
Not today.
Nope, this post is just what you will see. Blue skies, calm winds, 38 degrees, and trails. When you receive a good thing, one of the best things you can do is share. So that’s what this is about.
My warmup starts with a jog/hike up the hill on Turkey Mountain’s Blue Trail Loop. It’s thick with woods.
By the time I get close to the top, then the run begins in earnest. One route I recently became acquainted with is a 5.4-mile loop that stays well inside the folds of a natural northeastern Oklahoma forest of oak. In this area, it’s all singletrack.
This continues for awhile, winding its way up and down multiple hilly sections. I don’t wear a Garmin, so I can’t tell you the elevation loss and gain on the entire loop. I would be hard pressed to even guess. But what I can tell you is there aren’t many sections of the trail that aren’t either going up or down. It’s all really just a question of steepness.
Some parts of the trail are smooth and solid. Other parts are riddled with rocks and roots, which makes the running a bit trickier. A couple trails have loose soil and rock, which can be challenging on the downhills. But that’s what make trail running fun, right?
Almost every trail has one thing in common — pretty freakin’ scenic.
On this particular run, I was in the mood for a lighter day. So instead of completing the loop, I turned south on the Ridge Trail, a gradual uphill climb on one of the more popular part of Turkey Mountain, the Yellow Trail Loop.
Below is a really neat part of that. It’s been dubbed Moonscape because of the large boulders strewn about. It’s a pretty great place to kick back, stretch or just take in some scenery.
I tried to snap a picture of an armadillo I spotted rooting about, but I couldn’t get close enough for a shot before it got spooked and scrambled away. Turkey Mountain has a lot of wildlife, and it’s always fun when you get to see wild animals living in a wooded area right in the middle of a city. Maybe next time.
So there ya have it. Just a little fun on the trails on a brisk February day in northeastern Oklahoma.
Have a great weekend, all!
Bob Doucette
On Twitter @RMHigh7088
proactiveoutside 
Sounds like a lovely hike, and what great pictures. It can sometimes be difficult to capture the beauty in the woods of late winter. But you did a fine job of taking me back to the wooded spaces of my early years. Thanks!
No problem! Though most of this was a run. But enjoyable just the same. Lace em up and get on out there like you did back in the day!
Oh, but that would require a long trip. I live further to the north now. Snowshoes in the prairie for another month at least. But, a spring trip to the woodlands to the south would be nice…
Indeed. Soon enough, that snow will melt and you’ll be good to go.
There is nothing as peaceful as a trail run. Thanks for the pictures!
My pleasure. Thanks for reading!