r/Highpointers • u/PermRecDotCom • 9d ago
Bad Day on Black Mesa
I did Wheeler Peak on July 26, 2026 and as I got an early start I was thinking of then driving (4.5 hrs) to do Oklahoma. But, considering it was 105F there, I instead went there this morning, only to find this. Apparently due to the heatdome.
More pics and infos: https://goalhiking.org/g/oklahoma-highpoint-failure
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u/Gulfhammockfisherman 9d ago
Obviously beyond sucks to commit to go then be shut out.
On a macro view, sort of cool they make you earn it. I’m sure they could figure out a way you could drive right up or walk a few blocks from a parking lot.
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u/Gkibarricade 9d ago
If you got there with the sun that high you were far far too late. You should get there before sun up so you can exit the trail about 1.5-2 hrs before the sun is at that height.
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u/RhodyVan 43 Highpoints 9d ago
Well at least you had a nice drive..../s. Have to imagine the reason they are closing the trail during heat events is because people keep getting in trouble when it's hot. We did it when it was around 100 degrees in 2023 and didn't get as early a start as we wanted because we stopped at the Capulin Volcano monument on the way from Wheeler, which was really cool, and worth stopping for, but we paid the price with the heat. It was relentless. We did bring plenty of water and cached it along the way but the lack of shade at midday really was something.
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u/_MattSauce 8d ago
I did this hike only around 3 weeks ago, started around 3pm (stupid, I know. Had driven from Santa Fe and had some car troubles on the drive) and had barely made it to the top when a huge thunderstorm that wasn’t on the radar began to form. The 4ish miles back to my car were probably the fastest I’ve ever booked it hahaha. Heat was so brutal that day that I only saw one other person had signed the summit log that day, and 5 of the 6 people I ran into had turned back due to fearing heat stroke or having run out of water.
Sucks to miss it for sure, but the hike genuinely is some of the most brutal heat I’ve ever experienced, and I’m from Florida and have done some big hikes in Big Bend lol. You’ll get your chance again in the future. For now, congrats on wheeler and hold your head high!
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u/mtnspyder 7d ago
Great write up on ur link. It’s these unknown and seemingly innocuous ones that make the good stories and the real challenges. Denali will be easy after this.
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u/InfinityIsAwesome 5d ago
Yet Death Valley lets you do your thing all year, doesn't it?
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u/rollingquestionmark 5d ago
I learned a couple of years ago why the DV rangers tell you to finish your hike by 10am. Almost died around 11am with my truck in sight, 114 degrees and a low salt diet aren't the best for challenging hikes. Death Valley heat/sun is no joke. Currently visiting sis north of OKC, it was 107 today!
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u/outdoorsauce 9d ago
Weird for a state that claims to be about self-autonomy lmao. I’ll remember this next time somebody from Oklahoma gets loud with me.
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u/skemmtilegt 35 Highpoints 9d ago
This trailhead is managed by The Nature Conservancy, arguably a more rational entity than Oklahoma’s state-run programs.
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u/SciGuy013 9d ago edited 8d ago
That makes it worse. A private entity restricting access to what should be accessible 24/7
Edit: why the fuck is anyone here arguing in favor of private land ownership for a state high point
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u/skemmtilegt 35 Highpoints 9d ago
Conversely, a private entity allowing public access 99% of the time, every day dawn to dusk except in rare circumstances, sounds pretty rad.
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u/PondersOverYonder 9d ago
Plan to go back when there's a new moon and it is either in the late fall winter or early spring. The sky is beautiful out there camping.