Mid January Trip to Southwest Oklahoma

On a warmer day in mid January before classes started, I went to southwest Oklahoma to explore the Quartz Mountains and other small mountain ranges of southwest Oklahoma. On the way back, I stopped to watch the sunset in the Wichita Mountains.

The Mesa Country of western Oklahoma feels a lot like West Texas...there are even cows.	The Granite Mountains, a small range just north of the Quartz Mountains in southwest Oklahoma.
Approaching the Quartz Mountains from the northeast.	Snow, in the Quartz Mountains...a rare sight...
Looking across a valley in the Quartz Mountains from inside a cave.	Rocky islands in Lake Altus.
Prairie grasses and Lake Altus.	Overlooking Lake Altus from a clifftop with Prickly Pear Cactus.
Looking north along the west edge of Lake Altus, which was 17'6" below normal level (!)	Looking east across Lake Altus, from the Horizon Trail.
Quartz Mountain, from the Horizon Trail (which climbs the mountain).	The Wichita Mountains at sunset.