Black Mesa (Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico)

Black Mesa
Black Mesa, highest point in Oklahoma
Highest point
Elevation	4,973 ft (1,516 m)[1]
Listing	U.S. state high point 23rd
Coordinates	36°55′55″N 102°59′52″W / 36.93188°N 102.99785°W / 36.93188; -102.99785[1]
Geography
Black Mesa Colorado / New Mexico / Oklahoma, U.S. Show map of Oklahoma Black Mesa Black Mesa (the United States) Show map of the United States
Topo map	USGS Jacks Gap
Geology
Mountain type	Mesa
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Black Mesa is a mesa located in an area covering parts of the U.S. states of Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. It extends from Mesa de Maya, Colorado southeasterly 28 miles (45 km) crossing into the northeast corner of New Mexico, and ending in the Oklahoma panhandle along the north bank of the Cimarron River at its confluence with the North Carrizo Creek near Kenton. Its highest elevation is 5,705 feet (1,739 m) in Colorado.^[1] The highest point of Black Mesa within New Mexico is 5,239 feet (1,597 m).^[2] In northwestern Cimarron County, Oklahoma, Black Mesa reaches 4,973 feet (1,516 m), the highest point in the state of Oklahoma.^[2] The plateau that formed at the top of the mesa has been known as a "geological wonder" of North America.^[3] There is abundant wildlife in this shortgrass prairie environment, including mountain lions, butterflies, and the Texas horned lizard. (In Colorado, Black Mesa also refers to a summit in Gunnison County^[4] and a mountain pass in Dolores County.)^[5]