Looking to get out for some fall hiking this month? Want to get away from urban life and enjoy free and open trail hikes going into the holiday season? Then plan to catch one of the many NEW Saturday hikes being scheduled at the Keystone Ancient Forest this fall.
The City of Sand Springs Parks and Recreation Department announces a newly expanded fall/holiday schedule that increases your opportunity to visit this magnificent old-growth forest. New hike dates now include the following dates: October 12, 19 and 26; November 2, 9, 16 and 23; December 7, 14, 21 and New Years Day- January 1. All hike events run from 8am-2pm.
"We're excited to bring this newly expanded series of open hikes to the public this fall," stated Grant Gerondale, Parks Director for the City. "Our visitation numbers at the Forest continue to climb, so we are trying this new approach to meet the public's desire to visit this beautiful place and hike, relax and enjoy a day outdoors."
The Keystone Ancient Forest is located just west of Sand Springs, approximately two miles north of the 209th W. Avenue exit off of the Sand Springs Expressway. Hours for each hike are from 8am-2pm. Each hike event is a come-and-go event with visitors hiking along trails by themselves or with a volunteer trail guide when enough are available. In fact, it's the trail guides themselves that Gerondale points to as the key to the Forest's success.
"We could not have done this without trail guides stepping up to help give back to Oklahomans in this way. They have been there with us since we opened more than six years ago and we simply could not do this now without their incredible commitment to the Forest."
Currently hikers can enjoy approximately 3 ½ miles of trails on site. A 6/10 mile ADA accessible hard surface trail is located just off the paved parking lot, and a 2.8 mile natural surface trail reaches out to the overlook where famed American author Washington Irving passed nearby in 1832. There is only porta-potty service available at this time. No pets are allowed. Hiking will be held in most weather situations, however hikers are encouraged to join the Keystone Ancient Forest Facebook page for the latest hiking weather updates.
A volunteer trail crew has also just formed to build the site's first truly primitive trail and should be completed sometime later this winter. The Sand Springs Parks Department is always looking for interested enthusiasts to join in their mission. If you would like to volunteer as a trail guide, or as a member of their new trail crew, simply contact Grant Gerondale at grant@sandspringsok.org or call at (918) 246-2562.