Black Mesa (Oklahoma State Highpoint)

Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve, Oklahoma

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Trip Date: Tuesday, June 16th, 2020
Last Updated: Wednesday, July 8th, 2020
By Ricky Holzer

Hike Information

Rating ★★★★☆(4/5)
Overall Difficulty Moderate
Navigation Difficulty     Easy
Distance 8.4 miles roundtrip
Time 4 hours
Terrain Hilly, 775 feet of elevation gain
Best Seasons All
Family Friendly No
Dog Friendly Yes
Accessible No

Highlights

Hike Summary

Oklahoma's highest point is located on top of Black Mesa on the far western edge of the panhandle, not far from the Colorado and New Mexico borders. Black Mesa itself is nearly 30 miles long, and the 4973-foot Oklahoma highpoint is 700 feet shorter than the mesa's actual summit found to the northwest in Colorado. Nevertheless, this is an important destination on the long quest to highpoint every state in the U.S.

Black Mesa is in a highly isolated part of the U.S., so the initial drive here is a major part of the journey -- it's about 3 hours from Amarillo or 5 hours from either Denver or Albuquerque. This surprising desert-like environment pictured below isn't what you envision when you think of Oklahoma, and it's a place most people have no reason to visit in their lifetimes.

Wispy clouds hover over distant mesas

Wispy clouds hover over distant mesas

The surprisingly arid landscape of Western Oklahoma

The surprisingly arid landscape of Western Oklahoma

At over 8 miles roundtrip, the hike to the top is one of the longer hikes in the U.S. highpoint quest -- only about a dozen require longer hikes. Despite the length, it isn't a particularly difficult hike. The first two miles have a barely noticeable incline. Take this time to thoroughly enjoy the landscape of distant mesas, cacti, shortgrass prairie, and juniper trees, as shown in the two images below.
Blooming cacti lining the trail

Blooming cacti lining the trail

The trail as it winds slightly uphill toward the mesa

The trail as it winds slightly uphill toward the mesa

Not far after the second milepost, the hard part of the hike to the top of the mesa begins. The climb lasts for about a mile, and there is a bench located at the third milepost. Once you start gaining elevation, the views become amazing -- a vast open landscape of arid mesa country freckled with dark-green juniper, as shown in the two pictures below. Notice how the northern slopes have more vegetation due to the shade causing slightly cooler temperatures.
The view near the third milepost is gorgeous

The view near the third milepost is gorgeous

The juniper-dotted northern slope of Black Mesa> </a> <p>The juniper-dotted northern slope of Black Mesa</p> </div> The final portion of the hike, the top of the mesa, is anticlimactic. As suggested by the name mesa, the top is super flat, an arid plain similar to what you'll find not too far east from here in Oklahoma, as pictured below. After a little under a mile of hiking, you'll reach the highpoint. <div class= The flat, arid environment on top of Black Mesa

The flat, arid environment on top of Black Mesa

The Oklahoma highpoint is clearly marked with a massive stone obelisk, as pictured below, and a stone bench. Each face of the monument indicates the direction it faces and the mileage from other notable far away places. There are no views from the summit. However, a use trail heads south from the summit to the southern edge of the mesa for views from a vantage point different from what you've seen on the rest of the hike. You probably won't want to spend much time on top of the wind-whipped mesa, so turn around when you're ready and head back the way you came.
The stone highpoint marker on Black Mesa

The stone highpoint marker on Black Mesa

When you're done with your hike, check out the dinosaur tracks site next door to the trailhead! Just down the road from the trailhead heading north, turn right on the first unmarked dirt road. Follow this road until it dead-ends at a dry creek. Walk to the bottom of the creek, and the line of large indentations should be readily apparent -- you don't have to walk far or search long to find them.

Another highpoint down, and you'll have some beautiful views to remember! Connect with me using the social media links below and share your adventures!



Important Information

Dogs are allowed on leash. The hike is too long for younger children -- stick to the trails in the nearby Black Mesa State Park. Fall and spring have the best weather for hiking; winter is cold and windy, and summer temperatures often exceed 100 degrees with almost no shade to escape the heat. No matter when you visit, expect a constant blowing wind, especially on top of the mesa. As the state highpoint, people travel here from all over, and you can expect to see at least a couple people on the trail almost any time you visit.

Directions

lack Mesa is pretty far off the beaten track. Use the link below to navigate from wherever you're starting. Once you reach Kenton, Oklahoma, there will be signs along the main highway for Black Mesa to indicate you've gone the right way.

Google Maps Directions

Parking, Fees, and Facilities

Parking is free! There is a pit toilet in the parking lot.

External Links