by the Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness National Wildlife Refuge and the Ouachita National Forest. The wildlife refuge includes much of the Kiamichi River's upper reaches and headwaters. The National Forest exists as two spurs, or arms, of its larger area in Arkansas, and may be found in Le Flore County and McCurtain County. Substantial portions of the mountains are owned by timber companies, who operate massive tree plantations consisting of fast-growing pine trees. Logging is the region's chief industry. Tourism is also important, although it makes a smaller economic impact. The Talimena Scenic Drive, connecting Talihina, Oklahoma with Mena, Arkansas is a popular destination during autumn. Fishing is popular year-round, as is hunting during hunting season. Several flood control reservoirs built and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the state, including Broken Bow Lake, Clayton Lake, McGee Creek Lake, Pine Creek Lake, and Sardis Lake, are framed by views of the mountains and add to the area's scenic beauty. Due to the restricted nature of land ownership in the region—with much of it owned by the federal government or timber companies—the Kiamichi Mountains remain rustic, rural, economically undeveloped and with few population centers. Climate The Kiamichi Mountains experience a humid subtropical climate, with long, hot, humid summers, and short and cool winters. Temperatures below zero are very rare, but possible. Light snowfall usually occurs once or twice each winter, but rarely lasts more than 24 hours without melting. Substantial amounts of precipitation fall throughout the year. Summers can be extremely hot, and are usually very humid. Thunderstorms are common throughout the spring and summer. Higher elevations are substantially cooler than the valleys during the day, and tend to receive more precipitation throughout the year. References External links Kiamichi Mountains - Video footage of the area and a list of local activities and resources. Mountain ranges of Oklahoma Landforms of Pushmataha County, Oklahoma Landforms of Le Flore County, Oklahoma Landforms of McCurtain County, Oklahoma