Major County Economic Development – 580.227.2512; www.okmajordev.org.  Directions:  Located on north end of town of Fairview off of Hwy 60.  Address:  2004 Commerce Street.

What to Expect:  As the traveler enter this Loop, they become aware of the uniqueness of the rugged, high topped mesas springing up from the relatively flat land– they glitter!  They glitter with the brightest hues of red, blue, white, shades of green and golden yellow. These mesas contain three types of gypsum:  satin spur, massive, and selenite.  The cap rock is massive gypsum, the selenite is shiny and crumbly and the satin spar, sometimes crystalline, is stained with various tones of red.  Here in the mesas look for soaring Turkey Vultures, roadrunners pursuing lizards, and listen for the echoing song of the Rock Wren.  Beneath the mesas lie geologic formations from the Pennsylvania era (over 350 million years ago) that produce oil and gas.  Major County is one of the Mid-Continent Field’s most actively producing areas – providing oil and gas nationally. 

Lodging: Fairview:  motels, www.fairviewokchamber.com (click on “members”); Aline:  B&B, Heritage Manor Inn – www.1aj.org, 800.295.2563.  Ringwood:  Indian Creek Village Winery and Historic Inn, www.indiancreekvillage.com, 580.883.4919.  Private Camping:  Newton Ranch, www.glassmountainoutfitters.com, 580.884.1305. Guest Ranch:  Cornelsen Ranch, www.orientlodge.com, 580.438.2264.

Special Note: If planning for a weekend in this area, you might consider traveling this Loop in conjunction with the Cimarron Loop 6.

One-Day Outings: Fill up your gas tank and pack a picnic lunchor enjoy lunch at any of the local cafes.

Gloss Mountain Scenic Route (8-5) is a drive between Orienta and Bouse Junction on Hwy 412 that will take you along 24 miles of the breathtaking Gloss Mountains. About 6 miles along this scenic route stop at Gloss Mountain State Park (8-1). Hike the Cathedral Mountain Trail (1.2 miles total length) from the lower parking lot and picnic area to the top of Cathedral Mountain where the trail continues across the mesa and at trail's end take in a spectacular 360° view. In a delightful show of hospitality and good conservation, the state park staff provide pieces of selenite in two baskets at adjoining trails. In exchange they ask that you leave everything else untouched for the enjoyment of future visitors. Visit Indian Creek Village Winery (8-4) for lunch, a walk along a wildlife trail, and for a tour of the winery. Stop back in Cleo Springs for the old town experience and visit the Sod House Museum.

Off the Beaten Trail: If you have a high clearance vehicle drive the 26 mile Griever Canyon Scenic Route (8-6), through amazing Technicolor mesas exhibiting geologic features resembling turrets, spires, and even a teepee.

Birding Route: Use the recommended "One-Day Outing" as described above.

Guest Ranches: Contact information for the following is found under "Lodging". Cornelsen Ranch (8-2) offers several thousand acres of mixed-grass prairie, sand hills and floodplain of the Cimarron River to explore. Of historic interest, a remnant of where the Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient Railway passed through. Also let the landowner tell you about the history of the ranch and surrounding area. At the allow Gloss Mountain Outfitters (8-7) allow them to arrange a trip for campers, hikers and horseback riders of any experience. Scenic vistas, wildflowers, caverns, sunsets and more await you. At Heritage Manor B& B (8-3) view the many species of wildflowers, birds, butterflies, dragonflies and fireflies on the 80 acres surrounding this Inn.