We spent a few days at one of Oklahomaโs hidden gem state parks. Great Salt Plains, near Jet, in Alfalfa County OK. Waaaay out of the way, but definitely worth the trip.
The reservoir was created by a dam on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River, completed in 1941. It has an interesting three-level spillway.
A Western Soapberry tree, native to OK, near our campsite. Iโd never seen one bearing fruit, so I took a picture. I assume thereโs a reason theyโre called soapberries, so I didnโt taste them.
Selina catching some rays, and using her toy basket as a pillow.
Our campsite. A beautiful spot.
We drove down to the spillway parking area to look around.
The lakeโs average depth is about four feet. There are salt flats on the other side of the lake, where a unique type of selenite crystal can be found.
The salt flats area is reachable by vehicle, though itโs about a 15 mile drive from the campground.
The approach road to the flats. We were told to not get off the road. There is the possibility of quicksand under a thin, stable looking crust.
Parking area ahead.
The digging area is outlined by posts. They move it around periodically so the crystals can grow undisturbed for a while.
The results of about an hour of digging.
An example of the most desirable crystals. The hourglass shaped inclusions are unique to this area. The clusters are also desirable. None of the crystals we found are quite as nice as these, but we had a good time nonetheless.
If you find yourself crossing OK on US-412, consider taking US-64 to the north instead, and see something new!
:):)
The reservoir was created by a dam on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River, completed in 1941. It has an interesting three-level spillway.
A Western Soapberry tree, native to OK, near our campsite. Iโd never seen one bearing fruit, so I took a picture. I assume thereโs a reason theyโre called soapberries, so I didnโt taste them.
Selina catching some rays, and using her toy basket as a pillow.
Our campsite. A beautiful spot.
We drove down to the spillway parking area to look around.
The lakeโs average depth is about four feet. There are salt flats on the other side of the lake, where a unique type of selenite crystal can be found.
The salt flats area is reachable by vehicle, though itโs about a 15 mile drive from the campground.
The approach road to the flats. We were told to not get off the road. There is the possibility of quicksand under a thin, stable looking crust.
Parking area ahead.
The digging area is outlined by posts. They move it around periodically so the crystals can grow undisturbed for a while.
The results of about an hour of digging.
An example of the most desirable crystals. The hourglass shaped inclusions are unique to this area. The clusters are also desirable. None of the crystals we found are quite as nice as these, but we had a good time nonetheless.
If you find yourself crossing OK on US-412, consider taking US-64 to the north instead, and see something new!
:):)
JIMNLIN wrote:
โฆโฆ..I assume they still use the fieldโฆโฆ
Oh yeah, they still use it! LOL
When we first got there, I noticed that there were a lot of airplanes flying around. The sun was behind the first handful or so, and all I see is the silhouette, but itโs one that I recognize. โCrop dustersโ I said to myself. After several hours of hearing them, and occasionally looking at them, I realize they arenโt yellow, but gray.
Until, then, Iโm thinking โThatโs a bunch of crop dusting going on!โ I finally realized they are all AT-6 Texan trainers, which are closely related to the Air Tractor AT-802 crop dusters. :B
:R Letโs Go Girls! ๐
NRA Benefactor Life Member
Lance 1121-Two Awnings, Slide topper, 3.6 kw Gen, Trimetric Batt. Monitor, 1500W Inverter, 40A Redarc DC-DC charger. 2016 F450 6.7 PSD.
GoinThisAway wrote:
I was through that general area recently and had thought about stopping there but their website said you had to have a vehicle pass done before you got there and I would have been a walk-in. Sure looks interesting though so might have to plan it into a later trip. Thanks for posting!
Just a guess on my part, but that may have been some COVID related thing. I think we had to make our reservation online, but other than that it was business as usual.
:R Letโs Go Girls! ๐
NRA Benefactor Life Member
Lance 1121-Two Awnings, Slide topper, 3.6 kw Gen, Trimetric Batt. Monitor, 1500W Inverter, 40A Redarc DC-DC charger. 2016 F450 6.7 PSD.
