Jefferson County High Point Trip Report
Date: April 6-7, 2002
Author: John Mitchler
This dual-hill highpoint is on wooded land just northeast of Birmingham, along I-59, but the views are limited.
Both areas may be accessed from a home at the end of 3/4 mile long Self Road.
Self Road is reached by going 0.3 mile northwest on the Palmer-Clay Road from the Phillips 66 gas
station/store along Springville Road at Clay. To reach Clay, take exit 143 (coming from Birmingham) or
exit 148 (coming from Gadsden) on I-59 and go west to Springville Road. Turn right or left, respectively,
on Springville Road and drive until your reach the Phillips 66.
At the end of Self Road, talk to Bob in the house on the left. He will direct you north into the creek valley
(the pond on the topo does not exist anymore). From that drainage, follow a road northwest as it crosses
the creek and ascends in rocky fashion to an obvious saddle in the open forest. From this saddle, go
northeast uphill to the summit of an unnamed 1,440+ ft hill. There will be rock outcrops to negotiate.
The observant will notice caves.
To reach Butler Mountain, strike out west-northwest from the saddle and ascend the hill. We climbed
Butler from the west from the Palmer-Clay Road, however it is preferable to do both from the same trailhead.