If you are heading across northern Oklahoma, along U.S. Route 412, a wonderful place to stop and stretch your legs is Gloss Mountain State Park. The park has restrooms, picnic tables, grills, and a trail up the mountain with 360-degree views.
History
The area was originally an inland ocean. White gypsum crystals and rock layers formed when calcium sulfate saturated the water. As the Rocky Mountains developed, it caused a broad uplift of the western United States, including all of Oklahoma. Over time, erosion exposed shale and gypsum layers.
These buttes are known as Major County’s Red Mesas or the Mesas of the Blaine Escarpment.
Gloss or Glass Mountains
Explorer Thomas James passed through the area in 1871 searching for a trade route to Santa Fe. He called the colorful formations the “shining mountains.”
Glass Mountains was first used in 1873 on a map issued by the U.S. General Land Office. The name came from the abundance of transparent gypsum crystals (selenite) scattered on the slopes. In sunlight, the selenite shimmers, appearing like shiny glass at a distance.
In 1875, a second map labeled the area as Gloss Mountains due to a drafting error. A third map reverted to the name Glass Mountains shortly after. Today, locals refer to them as the Gloss Mountains.
Cathedral Mountain Trail
Cathedral Mountain Trail is a moderate 1.2-mile trail up and across Cathedral Mountain. The path starts with a long climb up approximately 215 steps. It is a mix of zig-zagging metal stairs, railroad tie steps, and a rock scramble at the end to get to the top. For those with mobility issues, the short rock climb might be difficult.
From the rim, there are many paths across the mesa with spectacular views of the valley floor, Lookout Mountain, ponds, and the Cimarron River. ‘You are here’ signposts provide a diagram of the surrounding features.
Its caprock offers many opportunities to glimpse the selenite gypsum that gave the area its name.
Cathedral Mountain Trail heads north across the mesa, ending with a view of Lone Peak, the tallest butte in Gloss Mountain State Park.
This was definitely a climb. Not difficult but staircase was a little iffy. Always up for an adventure. Not being afraid of snakes that much, a sign saying rattlesnakes are present made me keep my eyes peeled and feet on the trail. Beautiful views atop this Gloss/Glass Mountain.