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Ascent of Black Mesa on 1999-01-17

Climber: Ben Lostracco

Others in Party:

supported by Rose

Date:

Sunday, January 17, 1999

Ascent Type:

Successful Summit Attained

Motorized Transport to Trailhead:

Car

Peak:

Black Mesa

Location:

USA-Oklahoma

Elevation:

4973 ft / 1515 m

Ascent Trip Report

After driving-to/visitng Mount Sunflower in KS, Rose and I drove south thru Colorado on rte #385 enroute to Black Mesa, OK's Highpoint, located at the very northwest corner of the panhandle (near the NM-OK state line). It was a windy day with lots of tumbleweed being blown across the road ..... it reminded me of a Gene Autry song and the inspiration for the poem presented below.

We drove to Boise City and found our way to the Black Mesa State Park and Kenton. A short distance east of Kenton is a road heading north to Colorado, follow this road 'til you cross the Cimarron River (Black Mesa's highpoint is in front of you to the left) and find a dirt road heading (left) west at the bottom of the Mesa. Go past a windmill and cow pastures to the bottom of the embankment, park here and scramble (north) up the steep rocky embankment to the flat Mesa, then xcountry west to the Highpoint Stone Monument .... easily visible. My 30th USA State's Highpoint.
I am one that is afraid of snakes especially rattlers, I tried to dress for the worst so I wore 2 pairs of heavy tall gaiters and wore heavy gloves, made a lot of noise, threw rocks up-trail as I climbed, and stayed alert at all times.
I got back to the car in 2 hours with no sign of snakes, we are headed to Guadalupe in TX. and #31.

I AM REMINDED OF A GENE AUTRY SONG
"Surfing south on Colorado's 385,
succoured by a huge tail wind,
Oklahoma's Black Mesa beckoning the Highointer,
amid the immense and overwhelming harvested
sunflower table with it's oceanic dome,
and drifting along with the tumblin' tumbleweeds,
I am reminded of a Gene Autry."

"HOW GLORIOUS A GREETING THE SUN GIVES ONES OUTLOOK"

Summary Total Data

Elevation Gain:

573 ft / 174 m

Distance:

4 mi / 6.4 km

Route:

Xcross country from SE side, highpoint #30

Trailhead:

N of Kenton, from bottom of mesa at SE side 4400 ft / 1341 m

Route Conditions:

Open Country

Weather:

Pleasant, Calm, Clear

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