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The Mountain Pass Scenic Drive is in southeast Oklahoma. It followsUS Highway 259 for 23 miles between Page, Oklahoma and Octavia,Oklahoma. This state highway is a two-lane paved road with many steepgrades and sharp curves. All types of vehicles can safely drive thebyway. Temporary closure is possible during winter, otherwise the bywayremains open year-round. The Mountain Pass Scenic Drive bisects the tops of the forestedOuachita Mountains, one of America's oldest land masses. Thesemountains are unique because they stretch east to west rather thannorth and south. The byway also cuts through the 26,445-acre WindingStair Mountain National Recreation Area. Several scenic turnouts arelocated along the route providing beautiful panoramic views of thesurrounding valleys wilderness areas. Numerous side roads and otherscenic byways invite the traveler to further explore these heavilyforested mountains. Wildflowers in spring proudly display their colorswhile autumn, not to be outdone, also puts on its own beautifuldisplay. White oak trees that are 200 years old and 100 feet tall on thenorth slopes have cousins on the ridge lines that are only 10 feettall. The results of these two extremes are distinct plant and animalcommunities. Typically, shortleaf pine, post oak, blackjack oak, blackhickory, and serviceberry are predominant on the south slopes. Thenorth facing slopes will support white oak, red oak, sugar maple,dogwood, paw paw, Carolina silverbell, wild hydrangea and variousspecies of salamanders and snails not commonly found on any otherslope. Large, unusual rock fields, made up of sandstone blocks andboulders, are located on several of the Ouachita Mountain slopes andare often called rock glaciers. Communities of wormsand snails enjoy these talis environments. The byway offers nearly unlimited opportunities for outdoorrecreation. Wilderness areas and the Kerr Arboretum are adjacent to thebyway and offer seclusion for hikers, backpackers, and horsebackriders. Also popular with the hiker or backpacker is the OuachitaNational Recreation Trail, showcasing many unique vistas and can beaccessed from the byway. There is a backpacker's camp on the TalimenaScenic Drive which this byway bisects that is open all year and has abreath-taking view of Holson Valley. Several national forestcampgrounds are located a short drive off the byway. Cedar LakeRecreation Area is one of the larger camping areas. It is situated onthe shores of the 90-acre lake and has 132 sites for tents,recreational vehicles, and equestrians. Many of the sites have water,electric and sewer hookups. The campground also has drinking water,restrooms, a boat ramp, shower facilities, hiking trails, fishing, andswimming beaches. Hundreds of miles of horseback riding trails are alsoin the area. Billy Creek Recreation Area is a short drive off the bywayand has picnicking and 11 camp units. Winding Stair Recreation Area isa solar-powered facility campground located along the byway withpicnicking and 26 campsites. Drinking water and restrooms are provided. The Mountain Pass Scenic Drive is a component of the State ScenicByway network located in southwest Oklahoma and includes the TalimenaScenic Drive and the Mountain Gateway Scenic Drive. All three of thesestate byways are applying for national status in 2005 in hopes of creating Oklahoma's first national scenic byway network.
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