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Dog Run Hollow LbNA #22332 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Kristal & Ron
Plant date:May 18, 2006
Location:
City:Cache
County:Comanche
State:Oklahoma
Boxes:2
Found by: queendeen (2)
Last found:Oct 3, 2009
Status:FFFFm
Last edited:May 18, 2006
*** 9-22-2012 1st box is reported missing, 2nd box reported damaged ***

Distance: 1.2 mile loop
Elevation gain: 30 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Stamps: Hand-carved

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Oklahoma is the oldest managed wildlife preserve in the United States. Thanks to Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt, over 59,000 acres of gorgeous grassland and mountaintops have been set aside for the enjoyment and propagation of many endangered species of game. Within about 2 miles one afternoon, we saw deer, longhorn, bison and elk. The next day we saw wild turkeys in the same spot. This park is truly one of America’s treasures.

The Visitor Center is at the junction of State Highways 115 and 49, about 20 miles northwest of Lawton. Hours of operation are 10am to 5:30pm, closed Tuesdays and major holidays. Enjoy the museum and pick up a trail map there.

TO THE BOXES
Take Highway 49 northwest to the French Lake parking area. Take the little bridge across the creek and turn right. In a few yards, you’ll come out from under the tree canopy and take the Elk Trail, ascending the hill on your left. Just as the trail crests the hill, stop. At 155* from north, you should see a very large, flat rock shaped like an arrowhead with the tip pointing toward you. There is a prickly pear cactus on the right side of the rock, and some oak shrubs behind it. If you go toward the oaks, you’ll see 3 rocks around them. The “Dog Run Hollow: Elk Trail” box is under the NNE side of the smallest rock, under a piece of canvas and some other rocks.

Continue down the other side of this hill to a T-junction. Now take the Bison Trail right as it dog-legs around the lake. Near the edge of the dam, find the metal trail marker. Continue up the trail 9 paces and then find a small oak another 9 paces off the trail at 120* from north. The “Dog Run Hollow: Bison Trail” box is hidden underneath this tree, guarded by a little prickly pear.

Be sure to take a few minutes to walk out on the dam and look down into the fish ladder. One of the Rangers told us it’s never been used – Oklahoma fish don’t go upstream to spawn!

If you take the Bison Trail back the way you came from, it will go under some lovely tall trees along the lake and take you back to your car.