Calhoun County High Point Trip Report
Date: December 27, 2001
Authors: Jon Mann and John Mitchler
not completed yet - 17 areas described of 63 total
Mighty Calhoun with its 63 areas will make the sturdiest cohper weep and slay the weaker. Jon Mann best
described it as, "This county is really just one long ridge." Situated between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers,
this snout of a county is in southwestern Illinois. The intimidating number of areas may not be so
bad though. The ridge is easily accessed and from what we could tell, all areas are either cropland or orchard.
In fact, after we visited all 17 of the "northern" areas, we virtually drove over many of the rest,
scouting for a future visit. Our hope of hopes was to find that the small round contour in section 9 was 820
feet thus boiling down Calhoun from 63 candidates to just 1. But our hopes were dashed when we drove up
to the site and discovered a water-filled depression there.
To do Calhoun, drive to the scenic river hamlet of Hardin on the west bank of the Illinois River.
Heading west on the river's bridge, zero your odometer at the county line, make a left (south) at the bridge's end,
then after 0.4 mile make a right (west) onto Main Street at the four way stop sign. Follow the road as it gains
elevation to the west to Kingtown Hill. Turn left (south) at mile 1.7 onto Pullman Road and proceed to mile 2.6.
Veer left (south) on a blacktop road that will lead to the 17 "northern" areas. I have numbered the
areas north to south, from 1 to 63, and will refer to them as such. When following these directions, use the
topo as we did not write down much mileage.
Off of Pullman Road, go south a quarter mile to the first private drive on your right (west). The owner's
house is off to the right of this drive. Area 3 is in a field south of the house. Area 2 is further down the
drive at a new metal shed near the non-existant Snider BM. Area 3 is accessed by following the driveway
west as it turns into a grassy access lane. Area 3 is in a crop field surrounded by woods.
Continue south on the county blacktop, and visit the 3 areas that are along the road within a half-mile of
Pullman Road. Areas 4 & 6 are on your left (east). Area 5 is on your right (west) and in an enclosed barnyard.
Nobody was home at this location.
Continue south. After about a mile park your car just south of the spot elevation 795 (on the topo).
Two areas (7 & 8) are off to the right (west) and are gained by a potentially muddy walk through crop fields.
Area 8 is a small grassy rise, and area 7 is a mowed area around a new cabin at the end of the ridge.
Surrounded by pine, the views west are outstanding. What a lovely venue.
Continue south on the blacktop. At mile 1.2 from Pullman Road you come to the crux of Calhoun.
The house at the end of the road has been demolished and a new one stands southwest of the old one and
southwest of a pond that appears on the topo. This pond has been filled in. The enclosed contour just east
of the house on the topo is a depression. Locating this is important. Look for a very large, mature tree and
a field access road at its north side to the left (east) of the road. Park. Walk east along this road as it passes
the depression and leads into an apple orchard. High ground (area 12) appears to be just east of the
depression among the apple trees. Continue walking east on this two-track lane as it follows the ridge top.
If you are as lucky as we were, the local hound dog will accompany you with wagging tail. Your route will
follow both road & ridge, first to the northeast and then to the south. Remain high and you will walk right
across areas 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 as you go the end of the ridge. This ridge is covered with an apple
orchard which is not shown on the topo. The hunting blinds indicate heavy activity during deer season so
plan accordingly.
Return to the depression. Continue south on the road. It has been newly paved. Approximately 100 feet
southeast of the new house is a significant rise (area 11). This clearing was used to store freshly cut logs
when we were there. The owner of the house was quite friendly (typical Illini) and gave us plenty of history
and detail about the area.
Continue on the road which is now quite narrow and bends to the right (west) to follow the ridge top.
A water tower is located just north of the "9" on the topo map, but does not appear on the topo itself. This is
area 10 and can be walked. Drive to the water tower.
Continue west on the road to the end of the ridge and area 9. There is a loop in the road as it winds its way
through a private picnic area and campground. You have now finished the northern 17 areas; return back
north to Pullman Road. We have identified access to the 23 "middle" areas (using Franklin Hill road),
and the 23 "southern" areas (also using Franklin Hill road).
The above only describes 17 areas. When we eventually finish all 63, the trip report should rival
"War and Peace" in length. If you wish to get a copy of my topo map with the areas numbered,
feel free to contact me.
highpoint photograph - with Jon Mann