Trekking Up Turkey Mountain - Tulsa's Sanctuary in the City
Trekking Up Turkey Mountain - Tulsa's Sanctuary in the City
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
Dear Henry,
One of the greatest resources I’ve discovered here in Tulsa is Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness. These 300 acres of protected green space have done wonders to keep both Ziggy and me from losing our minds while living in a very small apartment, and during the week, when the trails are quiet, it becomes a rare and much-needed urban retreat.
Although the wilderness area itself wasn’t officially developed until the late 1970s, Turkey Mountain has been drawing people for far longer, thanks in part to its location along the Arkansas River and the cluster of legends that cling to its rocky slopes.
I should probably confess something upfront: calling Turkey Mountain a mountain is a stretch for me. I grew up around the Rockies, where mountains begin at about 5,000 feet above sea level. By that standard, Turkey Mountain, topping out at a modest 920 feet, is really more of a determined hill. That said, several of the trails are rated moderate, and while they didn’t challenge me much physically, they did provide just enough elevation change to make me feel like I’d actually gone somewhere.
One of the most curious features of the area is a set of inscriptions carved into what’s known as the Gwyn Stone. These markings resemble Viking runes and are part of a larger collection of so-called runestones scattered across Oklahoma. Over the years, theories have ranged from Vikings sailing up the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers during the era of Leif Erikson, to much more plausible explanations involving Swedish immigrants who settled the region in the late 1800s.
Dating stone inscriptions is notoriously difficult, and weathering alone makes firm conclusions impossible. What is known is that these carvings were already considered “old” by the early 20th century, and that they don’t say anything particularly useful. Their meaning remains a mystery, which may be part of their enduring charm.
Then there’s the legend of buried Spanish gold. Supposedly, Spanish Conquistadors, pursued by understandably angry Native American tribes, hid their treasure somewhere near the river at the base of the mountain. I remain deeply skeptical of this story, mostly because Oklahoma is not exactly known for its gold deposits. Conflict between Conquistadors and Native peoples, however, was very real and tragically common, even if the treasure itself probably never existed.
Another tale centers on Atwell Cave, discovered by W. A. Atwell while working on the Midland Valley Railroad. During blasting operations, workers uncovered a cave containing a skeleton and the inscription “J. A. Cox 1864.” Newspapers of the time immediately disputed the discovery, claiming that Cox had been a blaster who went missing only a few years earlier, and that the “cave” was little more than a hole in the rock. Whatever the truth, the mystery can no longer be solved; a landslide sealed the cave entrance in 1920.
For most of its history, the land that is now Turkey Mountain remained farmland and railroad property. In 1978, the City of Tulsa acquired its first 147 acres and began developing the trail system. Additional parcels were added over time, including a significant 80-acre donation from Stephen J. Jatras in 1996.
The park’s early years were… less idyllic. Until the late 1990s, Turkey Mountain had a reputation as a gathering place for all manner of illicit activity. It took increased police patrols, activity is still prohibited after dark, and major investments from groups like the George Kaiser Family Foundation and QuikTrip Corporation to transform it into the safe, well-maintained space it is today. Modern facilities and bronze wildlife sculptures from NatureWorks were installed in 2009, giving the park its current welcoming feel.
Now, Turkey Mountain is a genuine respite, at least during the week. On weekends, the trails are crowded enough that solitude becomes more theoretical than real. But on a quiet weekday afternoon, it’s still possible to forget that you’re in the middle of a city.
The trails are leashed-dog friendly, which makes them a favorite for Ziggy and me. Just be aware: aside from the entrance area, there are no trash cans or water stations along the trails. Bring water for both you and your pup, and be prepared to carry everything back out with you.
In a season where much of life has felt cramped and noisy, Turkey Mountain has offered something precious: space. Not just physical space, but the kind that lets your thoughts slow down and your breathing reset,proof that sometimes, even in an unfamiliar city, a little sanctuary can still be found.
About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
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