Pushmataha County High Point Trip Report
Date: January 20, 2003
Author: Jeff Runder
Pushmataha County has three areas which surpass 1960 feet, all are located in the Kiamichi Mountains in
the northeastern part of the county in a wildlife management area. From Talihina in LeFlore County,
travel south on US 271. Turn left onto the Indian Highway just as 271 makes a turn to the west
a few miles south of town.
Travel south on this paved road until reaching the ridge top. At the ridge top turn east onto a dirt road,
which is marked as the Kiamichi Trail on maps. This road is rough and best suited to higher clearance vehicles.
The road passes through some clear cut areas, which are not terribly attractive but do provide views.
The first highpoint is just south of the road in a mostly cleared area about 1.8 miles from the Indian Highway.
The second highpoint area is visible from this area and appears to be higher, but I did not hand-level it.
The Kiamichi Trail tuns north past the first highpoint and a newer road, not shown on the 7.5" topo or DeLorme,
forks to the east. Stay left at this junction and the second highpoint area is visible just ahead to the northwest.
Park where the road turns back east. The second highpoint area is about a quarter mile up the
ridge which has been clear-cut on the south side.
Holly Mountain, the third highpoint area, is visible from the clear-cut, near the second highpoint area, as is
the first highpoint area. I suppose one could level from this area and possibly determine the true highpoint.
However Holly Mountain is nearly five miles away and is forested, so leveling between these two areas may
not be accurate. To reach Holly Mountain continue east on the Kiamichi Trail (road). The trail shown on
maps is actually a road. For the most part this road is dry and rocky, however, at a point about 2.5 miles
from Holly Mountain I was stopped by a large 40 foot mud hole of undetermined depth. I imagine many
would attempt to drive through it, but as I had a flat earlier in the day, I decided to park and run.
Continue down the trail until Holly Mountain is about a mile to the southeast. If you start the bushwhack to Holly
mountain early you cut out some climbing on the road, but have to traverse a deeper portion of the Holly
Creek drainage. I started at a point about a mile from Holly Mountain and found the forest relatively open.
Drop down to the creek, which is easily crossed and climb up to Holly Mountain. I passed a trail which
seemed to parallel the Holly Mountain ridge, but did not go to the summit area. The trail was not on my
maps. The highest area seems to be a rock outcrop about five feet high. There are limited views at the
forested summit. I would estimate a vertical drop of about 400 feet to the stream and a climb of about 460
feet to Holly Mountain.