Kosciusko County Highpoint Trip Report

unnamed (1,025 ft)

Date: March 17, 2007
Author: John Hasch

Mileage zeroed at intersection of US 6 and CR 127 (Elkhart County).

0.0 - Turn right (south); continue into Kosciusko County where the road becomes CR 300E
6.5 - Intersection with CR 1050N - turn left (east)
7.5 - Intersection with CR 400E - turn right (south)
8.0 - Intersection with CR 1000N - turn left (east)
8.2 - Arrive at 4114E 1000N, home of LeeAnn Andrews

This stop did not take long. In about 10 minutes, I obtained permission, visited the site behind the home, and was on my way. My knocks brought the homeowner to the door, who identified herself as LeeAnn Andrews. She was an extremely friendly person who told me about various other stops in the past by CoHPers, scavenger hunters and others. She granted permission and told me I might want a coat because the breeze at the top of the hill (about 20 feet higher than her home) was much stronger. She also told me that the large, dug spot on the west side of her hill was where she had buried one of her horses, a companion for over 33 years. She then told me there is some controversy over the actual county high spot. It seems there is another property owner who is claiming that title.
I walked around the house and was immediately met by the hill that presents the loftiest views in the county. I walked around the area and looked in all directions. The western views were obscured by brush growing on the adjacent property. The best views were down the farm fields to the north and northeast of the hill.
I returned to the home to thank Ms. Andrews, and she told me she was looking for a map to the "other" area. Finding none, she then proceeded to give me excellent directions that I followed since it was relatively early in the day. I decided to go and see for myself what the fuss was about. Apparently LeeAnn is a former classmate of the former owners of the other property, the Reiff family. She believes the Barbee Buffalo Ranch now owns the property and here is how I got there:

8.2 - Leave Andrews’ home, traveling east on CR 1000N

11.6 - Intersection with IN 13 - turn right (south)
22.0 - Continue through North Webster to the intersection with Old Highway 30 - a gas station and a cemetery - turn right (west)
23.1 - Intersection with CR 650E - turn right (north)
26.1 - Stop sign at intersection with CR 300N. Target property is to the right, beyond chained and cabled entrance roadway.
          Sign atop the "ranch" type entranceway says "Corvette Dr." No buffalo seen anywhere!

LeeAnn Andrews, including the road names and distances, quoted this route from memory. She clearly has a knack for this kind of detail. When I arrived at the destination, I was very impressed. The terrain in the area also impressed me. Without having a way to take measurements, I could see why the landowner here thought their land was the highest. Their home sat atop a hill of (relative) prominence. In the area, I spotted three different hills that towered above the surrounding land. I would have to investigate this later to see whether this ground could be higher. I left to drive on to the last destination of the day, the CoHP for Whitley County.

When I got home, I looked at this spot on the topo maps. The three hills identified had elevations of 950+ feet, 960+ feet, and 960+ feet. Although this land was high, its elevation does not approach the 1,025 feet recorded at the Andrews’ home. LeeAnn retains the bragging rights for Kosciusko County.