Martin County High Point Trip Report

Date: January 22, 2000
Author: Fred Lobdell

This HP lies in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Admission is $3.50 per car, for up to 8 people. I was told that it is the highest point in southeastern Florida.

From Exit 60 on I-95, take FL 708 east 5 or 6 miles to US 1. (There is a brown sign for the state park on the interstate.) Turn right (south) on US 1 and go about 4 miles to the signed entrance to the park on the right (west). Turn in here, and after parting with some money, turn right (north) at the "T" intersection and take it about a mile, staying right at the fork, to a small parking area on the right.

This is the trailhead for the Hobe Mountain Trail, which will lead you to the Hobe Mountain Lookout Tower. This trail, fully a quarter mile long, passes a couple of benches along the way for the weary hiker before rising to an eminence of 86 feet above sea level. (Never let it be said that Floridians are shy about promoting their state's tourist attractions!)

Towards the summit the path is fenced and guides the hiker directly to the steps of the tower. Signs tell you to stay off the fence, but if you wanted to wander around the rather small, flat summit area, it would appear possible to crawl under the bottom landing of the stairs, and no signs prohibit this. I found no bench mark.