Potentially dangerous? Here's a little research for ya:
Kiamichi Trail (K-Trail) Adventure: The good, the bad, and the douche-baggery - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum
The part about the locals lighting a fire in the trail would freak me the fu@* out. I mean damn, shots were fired!
I've done some backpacking near Mena, AR which is in the same National Forest. Around 2003, after 2 days on the trail we ran into some locals, and suffice it to say, they were spooky bastards that mades us all feel uneasy. My normally docile, mild mannered labrador went completely batshit when we came across these dudes; he went from a low growl the instant we saw them to full out attack dog. He damn near drug me along the ground trying get at these guys. The dog never acted like that before or since and he's 12 now. Me and my buddies didn't sleep much that night.
Sorry for the rambling memory...I'd totally be down for some K trail action with several well armed mates. Not in the summer though. If I even think about SE Oklahoma in the summer I can feel the ticks crawling on me.