Cavanal Mountain, OK

Hiked: 6/28/2019
Distance: Drive up
Summit Elevation: 2385'
Prominence: 1765'
Elevation Gain: 0'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0
Round trip time: N/A
Recommended water: 0 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free on County Road D1340
Difficulty: Easy

I passed through Poteau, OK on the way to visit family in Fayetteville, AR. I attended grades 8-12 here and made many trips by car to the top of Cavanal. A paved road goes all the way the top (Witteville, then County Road D1340) with custom homes built along the lower half. The broad, flat summit area is crammed with radio towers and a lookout platform with picnic tables. Locally, it was called Cavanal Hill, the world's highest hill, but this was just folklore. A sign at the top erroneously lists the elevation as 1999', but the USGS named it Cavanal Mountain with an elevation of 2385'. Views are non-existent due to tree coverage, except for limited views from the lookout point. After the pavement ended, there were several dirt roads. I drove down one looking for the old fire lookout tower, but couldn't get too far in my low clearance rental sedan. I did see two deer. They had long, white tails, very different than the California mule deer I am used to seeing. Cavanal is Oklahoma's second most prominent peak -- a nice bonus.

Technically, Cavanal was my first "real" hike as an 11 mile round trip starting at my friend Darren's house a mile away from the base back in 1983. I was still in college and wanted to test myself by jogging to the top and back. I jogged the flat parts and maybe a half mile of uphill before walking the rest of the way. I can't remember exactly how long it took me, but my guess is between 4-5 hours. I remember being sore the next couple of days since jogging/hiking long distances was not a thing I did then. There are many more houses along the road now, and many more radio towers. It also seems smaller than it did to the 1983 version of myself. The whole experience was quite a nostalgic trip.

Cavanal from the elementary school

Local lore, actual elevation 2385'

View from the lookout platform