If you were to cut a straight line to the base of the switchbacks you would probably cut off close to a mile of the trail. Also, though I am hesitant to admit it because people will likely begin cutting trails off of the already developed trails, the trail zigs and zags off of a straight course. The trail is very flat, with only gradual hills until you reach the base of the plateau just before climbing the switchbacks that take you to the top of the plateau. Once I had snapped some pictures of the bird’s nest and found my stick I headed out. I did find a stick to carry with me and carried it with me all the way to the top and back, thinking it would offer at least a little more protection against a rattlesnake. My guidebook warned that the trail was home to rattlesnakes and, hiking alone, I wasn’t particularly keen on meeting one unprepared. I also quickly looked around for a stick to carry with me in case I ran into any snakes on the trail. I snapped some pictures of the trailhead then was about to head out on the trail when I noticed a bird’s nest built right on the information sign.
I spent about 30 minutes getting ready, filling up my Camelback, and throwing in a couple of extra bottles of water. Because I made pretty good time from Oklahoma City, I thought I would be fine. Because I was doing the hike alone I didn’t want to get caught out on the trail alone after dark. I hadn’t originally known whether or not I was going to do this hike on the 19th or the 20th, knowing that it was supposed to take between 3 and 5 hours. I drove in from Oklahoma City, arriving at the trailhead at around 1:00 pm mountain time.
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