Gratiot County Highpoint Trip Report
Date: May 26, 2002
Author: Bob Schwab
This county lists five 890+ foot contours (all five are south of Route 46,
between 5.5 and 6.5 miles west of the Alma interchange on US 27) but they are
difficult to visit because of private property access and hard-to-find owners.
I started this county in June 2001 but wasn’t able to finish it until May 26, 2002.
I recall the area of Bill Schuler’s suspicious spots, just west of what I
think is the true county highpoint. I believe the topo shows a small contour
north and a depression to the south. Thus there are only two contours on the
topo map about 0.5 mile west of the Warner Road/Route 46 intersection,
and 3 more contours roughly 0.5 mile to the east of this intersection.
When you visit the western sites, watch for a grey house that sits on the edge
of the highest contour (#9575). I never did find the owner at home but you can
park along the highway and climb up the steep bank. Find your way up through
the sumac to the edge of the lawn where the highest ground is located. The area
of Bill’s interest is just west of the driveway that goes to the house and you
should be able to determine as I did that the western area is lower. I suspect
it was re-graded when the gravel operations ceased and the house was built.
The three areas about a mile east of here can be accessed by hiking behind
property owned by Ron Hamp (# 8461), who was friendly but also hard to find at
home, particularly on Sundays. The topo leads you to believe there is an old
track starting on the highway but it isn’t obvious any more. Once you obtain
permission, hike south behind Ron’s shop and you’ll cross the northernmost contour.
Near its southern side, you will find a trail/path of sorts that heads east,
crosses over the second contour and then bends south, skirting the third
contour as it continues south. I continued to hike south until I was sure I was
dropping off the high ground. There was actually a suspicious fourth area to
the south but it was definitely lower than the other three.
In summary, the contour adjacent to the grey house at #9575 seemed to be the
highest ground in Gratiot County but, given this area is in an old gravel
operation, who knows whether it has been enhanced or altered somewhat.
The northernmost contour behind Ron Hamp’s place still seems natural and is probably
the runner-up in terms of elevation gain within the 890-foot contour.
Future visitors should make their own assessments. Good luck in finding the property
owners at home!