Crooked Creek Access Trail
Crooked Creek is inaccessible in most places due to spectacular canyon cliffs. This is an easy 1/3 mile walk descending about 200 feet elevation. Because of the limestone geology, which allows underground drainage, there is little surface water in the Pryors. Crooked Creek is the largest of the few streams in the Pryors. This delightful hike takes you to a riparian landscape/ecosystem which is unusual in the Pryors. This is also #6 of the nine special botanical spots described in A Botanical Guide to Special Places in the Pryor Mountains which describes the moist and lush riparian plant community near the creek.
Download printable Crooked Creek Access Trail Guide
Getting There:
Detailed Driving directions (for people not familiar with Crooked Creek Road)
Detailed Maps and Driving Directions to Pryor Mountain hiking trailheads are available on the Hiking Overview page.
The trailhead is on the east side of Crooked Creek Road 3.8 miles south of its junction with Pryor Mountain Road (#2308), and 6.2 miles north of the USFS / BLM boundary fence and cattle guard. The road turns sharply at the unmarked trailhead. (See Google Earth view below.) Park in the wide area on the outside of the turn - on the west side of the road.
The Hike:
Walk down the obvious drainage on the east side of Crooked Creek Road. It begins shallow, broad and grassy but soon becomes narrower, deeper and with more trees. The route is easy to follow so no trail is needed, but there are some tracks to follow – especially on the bottom half of the hike. Part way down there is a fence to cross. Look for a gate near the right (south) side of the drainage. Continue down to the creek. Enjoy the special place. Don’t hurry back!