Big Mountain (Oklahoma) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big Mountain |
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| Deer Mountain | |
 Big Mountain
Location in Oklahoma
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,145 ft (349 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, United States |
| Parent range | Kiamichi Mountains |
Big Mountain is a cool mountain located in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, in the United States. It's part of the Kiamichi Mountains, which are a smaller group of mountains within the larger Ouachita Mountains.
Contents
Discover Big Mountain's Features
Big Mountain stands tall at 1,145 feet (about 349 meters) above sea level. You can find it about 5.5 miles northeast of a town called Moyers, Oklahoma.
Several creeks and a river help define its edges. Buck Creek is to the south. Pine Creek is to the north. The Kiamichi River is on its east side. Kimbrough Creek marks its western boundary. The mountain also forms the southern edge of an area known as Johns Valley.
A Look Back: Big Mountain's History
Big Mountain has been known by another name in the past: Deer Mountain.
Air Crashes During World War II
During World War II, something sad happened near Big Mountain. Two British planes crashed in the area. These planes were from a Royal Air Force base in Texas. The crashes happened on Big Mountain and White Rock Mountain. Four crew members died in these accidents.
Honoring the Pilots: The AT6 Monument
To remember these brave pilots, the AT6 Monument was built. It was dedicated on February 20, 2000, right at one of the crash sites on Big Mountain. More than 1,000 people came to the ceremony. News about the monument was shared by the British Broadcasting Corporation and many newspapers worldwide.
Exploring the Kiamichi Wilderness
Big Mountain is like the gateway to a huge area called the Kiamichi Wilderness. This wilderness was divided into smaller plots of land in the 1970s and 1980s. This was part of a plan to develop the land.
Even today, the Kiamichi Wilderness is very rural and isolated. There are not many full-time homes here. Most buildings are cabins used for visits.
Different Areas of the Wilderness
The Kiamichi Wilderness is split into different "phases."
- Phase One is closer to Big Mountain. It has roads that are easy to drive on. Some parts even have electricity and phone service.
- Phase Two and Phase Three are further west. They are much more isolated.
- Phase Three can only be reached during dry weather. This is because you have to drive through creeks to get there.
Life in the Wilderness
Many people who own land here come from the Dallas, Texas area. They often visit on weekends and are sometimes called "weekend warriors." Even though people live far apart, they have created a strong community. They have regular get-togethers and help each other out. This includes fun events like Friday night rattlesnake fries. They even have a volunteer fire department!
Accessing Big Mountain
The only way to enter this area is by a road from the Kiamichi River valley. Years ago, there was a guard shack controlling entry. Today, the entrance is watched 24/7 by cameras. A security officer is often there too. Only landowners and their guests are allowed onto the mountain.
The AT6 Monument is a short drive into Phase One from the entrance. The roads are good, and there is a sign to guide you. This makes it easy to visit the monument.
