Posted 2011-04-25 8:32 AM (#133460) Subject: SE Oklahoma riding
Veteran
Posts: 174 Location: Missouri
Here in SE Missouri we've been getting terrible storms and rain for over a week and lots of flooding. Doesn't look like we'll be camping around here any time soon, so we were thinking about maybe going to OK next week. Does anyone know how much rain theyve had and what shape the trails are in? We were thinking about Cedar Lake, would you stay there a week or go somewhere else a few days? I see there is Robbers Cave and JD not too far from there. We have a big trailer so need a place we can get into and also do you think we'd need reservations going midweek? Any other suggestions for a week within a days drive of SE Mo. Thanks,
Posted 2011-04-25 12:33 PM (#133479 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Regular
Posts: 71 Location: Edmond OK
I just got back from Robbers Cave. It rained and stormed while we were there. The good thing about Robbers Cave, it doesn't get boggy when it rains. We rode and had no problems on the trails. SE & NE Ok have been hammered with rain too and some flooding. I don't think you need reservations at either Cedar Lake or Robbers Cave in the middle of the week. When we went last week on Thursday, we were the only trailers in camp. A few pulled in later that day. But there were only about 9 rigs in the entire camp. J-D, is smaller and private so I would email or call Jo and ask her about availability. We have been super dry in Central, Western and SW OK. The rain has been a welcome relief for us.
Posted 2011-04-25 7:23 PM (#133516 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Veteran
Posts: 165 Location: Western Ar
We have got approx 6 inches of rain just east of Ceder Lake and a lot of the low lying areas are flooded. However By Thursday they should be in pretty fair shape.
Posted 2011-04-25 7:26 PM (#133517 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Veteran
Posts: 165 Location: Western Ar
You also have Idlenook that is located at Y-City Ar that is about 45 miles east of Ceder Lake and their Campsites should be in pretty good condition and the trails are not worn like Ceder Lake
Posted 2011-04-25 9:00 PM (#133527 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Veteran
Posts: 174 Location: Missouri
Thank you guys for the info. We will keep an eye on the weather and go for that. Hoping everybody gets thru all this horrible weather okay. We just had another tornado about 2 miles from us and is torrential raining all nite long and flooding everywhere.
So tell me about Idlenook. Is it scenic riding? How many miles of trails? Thanks
Posted 2011-04-27 5:31 PM (#133614 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Veteran
Posts: 165 Location: Western Ar
I prefer IDK due to the trails are not worn like Ceder Lake. The Terrain is quite Similier to Ceder Lake also. Their campgrond has covered stalls and approx 20 full hook ups. We just got back from Caney Mountain with Charles and Teresa Taylor and in my opinion the best riding anywhere around including out west. However they do not have electricity due to being located in the middle of a Wildneress Area and they haul spring water in. It is a little challengeing getting in but no problem.
Posted 2011-04-27 5:50 PM (#133618 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Regular
Posts: 71 Location: Edmond OK
Really as many trails? I just looked at the map and it didn't look like that many miles of trails to me as Cedar Lake. Unless you are counting the "unmarked" trails. Cedar Lake has miles and miles of trails...I know because I volunteer every year to help mark and maintain them during our work weekend. I've heard of Idlenook, it sounds like a nice place. It's just hard to beat Cedar Lake and Robbers Cave for me. Cedar Lake, once you get away from the closer camp trails, has many trails that are not rocky. In February, we worked on the camp perimeter trail tossing rocks off the trail. That is NOT a fun job. A covered stall would be nice this time of the year for sure though.
Posted 2011-04-27 6:03 PM (#133620 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Veteran
Posts: 165 Location: Western Ar
I don't know when the last time Jack has updated their website but they take in all the old Mill Creek Equestrian Trails, and he has added trails to it. If you use a GPS their are miles of old 1960 and 70's Log Roads in the Muddy Creek Wildlike Management Area that we prefer to ride than the trails.
Posted 2011-04-27 6:57 PM (#133622 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Regular
Posts: 71 Location: Edmond OK
Oh I see. Well that would be the difference for sure. I hate road riding. I much prefer mountain trails. But that's the great thing about our equestrian trails...something for everyone!
Posted 2011-04-27 8:11 PM (#133624 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Veteran
Posts: 174 Location: Missouri
Thanks everybody for all the information. I don't think we could get our trailer in Caney mountain. Isn't that road off of Push Mountain pretty narrow and rough? We've ridden from Shelton's to some of that area and it is beautiful. I don't know what we're going to do until this weather settles down. There's so many roads closed due to flooding around here not sure if we can actually go too far from the house for awhile.
Posted 2011-04-27 9:15 PM (#133627 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Veteran
Posts: 165 Location: Western Ar
The road going in is single Lane with places for vehicles to get by except for about 1/4 mile. If you call them they will hold the trailer traffic leaving. If you take your time it is no problem. even During turkey season there was very little traffic. Even last week before the rains the Buffalo was to high to Ford though and I can imagine what its like now. We rode a lot of the area North West Of Shuans and it is nice riding with the waterfalls and riding down in the caves. If you truely like Mountains Trails it is the place to ride. The riding will let you forget about the roads.
Posted 2011-04-27 9:15 PM (#133628 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
Guess I'm going to take up boating and fishing. That's about all I can do in this weather. Haven't been able to ride in the Spring for the past three years. Last year it didn't dry up here in Kansas until late August.
Posted 2011-05-31 4:16 PM (#134446 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I wish we were getting some of that rain.. I am thinking about going to the Kiamichi Mtns this fall.. too hot here already. Anyone know of a good place?
Posted 2011-05-31 4:52 PM (#134447 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Veteran
Posts: 165 Location: Western Ar
If your on facebook you can get a lot of information off Trailriders in the arklatex. If you consider the Ouachita's it is rather a large area. They will have a lot of local info for the Ouachita's and the Ozark Region.
Posted 2011-06-03 7:30 PM (#134543 - in reply to #133460) Subject: RE: SE Oklahoma riding
Veteran
Posts: 165 Location: Western Ar
Caney Mountain is located approxx 15 miles northwest of Big Flat Ar. Surrounded by the Leatherwood Wilderness and Scylamore Exspermental Forest. It is very isolated and they are approx 5 miles from the White River and 1/4 mile from the Buffalo river.
SE Oklahoma riding
A covered stall would be nice this time of the year for sure though. 
