Kite Trail to Forty Foot Hole (Wichita Mountains) Hiking Guide
The Kite Trail follows a canyon rim between Lost Lake and the Boulder Picnic Area in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, with views down to Forty Foot Hole. It is a short walk on rocky ground, and it links with the Narrows Trail for a longer outing.
Distance and Ground
The refuge lists the Kite Trail at 1.1 miles, starting from Lost Lake or the south Boulder Picnic Area. Hiking Project maps the same 1.1 miles one way, with about 25 feet up and 125 feet down heading south, so a round trip is about 2.2 miles and 150 feet of climbing. Hiking Project rates it intermediate to difficult for the rocky footing, not the climbing, and also maps a Kite Trail Alternate.
Forty Foot Hole and the Narrows
The refuge calls the views of Forty Foot Hole from the rim breathtaking. Nearby, the Narrows Trail runs 0.8 miles from the Boulder Cabin Picnic Area; the refuge mentions a possible stream crossing, depending on the season. Rock climbing is allowed in daylight, but rappelling in the Narrows is prohibited. Swimming and snorkeling are prohibited in all refuge waters, so the hole is for looking at, not jumping into.
Facilities and Rules
Lost Lake, Boulder and Boulder Cabin picnic areas all have comfort stations, but none of them has drinking water. Entry is free and needs no permit. Groups in the Lost Lake, Boulder and Dog Run Hollow area are limited to 30. Dogs are allowed on a leash shorter than 10 feet; keep them back from the rim. Trailheads close at sunset.
Seasons and Closures
Spring and fall are the best months, and a winter weekday can be quiet. Summer heat has pushed the refuge to issue early-morning-only hiking orders in the past. During the winter controlled elk hunts the refuge has closed Lost Lake, the Boulder Picnic Area and the Narrows on some hunt days, with closures changing from one hunt to the next between December and early February. The refuge also closes the Narrows area for a few days at a time while it runs aerial feral hog control, a program it has used since 2015.
Hiking tips for Kite Trail to Forty Foot Hole (Wichita Mountains)
- Start at Lost Lake and turn back once you've seen Forty Foot Hole.
- Add the Narrows Trail from Boulder Cabin for a longer walk.
- Keep children and dogs well back from the canyon rim.
- Don't swim; refuge rules ban it in every lake and creek.
- Check refuge closures before heading out in winter or July.
Nearby trails to explore
- Bison Trail (Dog Run Hollow)
- Charon's Garden Trail (Wichita Mountains)
- Little Baldy Trail (Wichita Mountains)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
The Kite Trail is short enough to fit around a picnic at Lost Lake. Post a refuge day on TrailMates, sort out rides and who brings lunch in the event's group chat, and meet at the Lost Lake lot. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.