Clayton County Highpoint Trip Report

four unnamed areas (1,260+ ft)

Date: March 21, 2005
Author: Mark Ness

Clayton County's four high point areas are spread out. The eastern pair are located in Section 16 of Lodomillo Township. The third one is in Section 5 of Cass Township, and the last is split between Sections 19 and 30 of Sperry Township, less than a mile away from Fayette County's high point duo.

area 1

From Edgewood, on the Clayton-Delaware County line, I drove west on State Highway 3 about 1.2 miles and turned right onto County Road X21. I drove north on C.R. X21 for 3.1 miles, and turned left onto 370 St (gravel). I drove west on 370 St for 1 mile and turned right onto Eagle Av. I drove north on Eagle Av for 0.6 mile (driving past area 2) and parked at house 36512.

I knocked on the door but there was no response. I then backed out of the driveway and parked on the roadside across from the house, which is near the middle of the contour.

I explored the western half of the contour. I determined that the highest point was just across the road from the mailbox, near where I parked. Other high ground is about 100 feet west of that point. I crossed over to the eastern half. The high point of that half is along the barbed wire fence just south of the house. It appeared to be lower than the western half. 10 minutes hiking time.

area 2

From my parking spot at area 1, I drove south 0.3 mile to the road crest of area 2, just south of the farmplace. Because it was an occupied house, I walked up the driveway and saw the owner on the steps of his house, preparing to go to work. I talked with him for a few minutes. He knew that this area was the highest in the county. He can see his silos from Arlington (about 12.8 miles north-northwest). He also owns the land around area 1. The FAA Golf Ball at Fayette County's highpoint is barely visible from his back yard (10.9 miles north-northwest).

We walked around and between his buildings to the field on the west. I determined that the highest point in the western half of the contour was behind the buildings in the field. As he drove away, I continued to the eastern half. The approach to that area was very muddy. The high point was about 200 feet from the road. 19 minutes hiking and talking time.

area 3

I got back onto S.H. 3 and turned right. I drove west on S.H. 3 for 9.8 miles, and turned right onto C.R. W67. I drove north on W67 for 2.55 miles, and turned left onto 345 St. I drove west on 345 St for 0.25 mile, and turned into driveway 11713 -- 215 feet from the summit. I knocked on the door. The owner was aware that this was the highest point in the county, because the water flows away from this point in all directions. He granted permission.

The grove shown on the topo map is gone. It was old wood, and new evergreen trees had been planted in the same pattern. They were about 2 feet tall when I visited. 9 minutes hiking and talking time.

area 4

I continued driving west on 345 St for 1.75 miles, and turned left onto A Av. I drove north on A Av for 1.33 miles and turned right onto 80th St. I drove north on 80th for 1.64 miles and parked on the road crest.

I explored the eastern half of the contour and determined that the highest ground was about 200 feet east of the road, or next to the road, or at the tower anchor. I crossed over to the western side, and determined that the high point was on the fence line. 15 minutes hiking time.

I did not see the bench mark, witness post, nor the monument noted by David Olson in 1998.

The total time for this county was 106 minutes.