Washtenaw County High Point Trip Report
two areas in Sharon Short Hills (1,150+ ft)
Date: May 24, 2002
Author: Bob Schwab
Most HPs in Michigan are located on private property (posted) and this one is no exception. To visit this site,
I first had to ask several of the neighbors who live along Sylvan Road and eventually was directed to
the owners, Ella and Jim Landini (18400 Wingate Road, Manchester). The farmer who lives in the corner house
(where Sylvan and Wingate intersect) owns the pasture (and the cows) you will encounter en route to
the smaller area. He directed me to the Landini's, but you also should get his permission as well.
Mrs. Landini was very cordial and gave me permission to tramp around in their back woods.
The rough coordinates (NAD27) are (42° 13' 0" N, 84° 4' 10" W) for the tiny northwest spot,
and (42° 12' 58" N, 84° 4' 3" W) for the larger (and higher) southwest contour.
Both spots may appear to have closer access
from Sylvan Road, but due to postings and a lack of places to park, you should approach these sites by
starting at a jeep path just east of the Landini's home, which is tucked away north of (18400) Wingate Road.
Just past a shed up the path, head north up a bank into an open field, and then angle northwest into the woods.
You will cross a fence, drop down into a low spot, and then ascend up to higher, partially open
pasture land. As the pasture opens up to the north, go north up a significant hill and down the other side on
a cow path which soon disappears near the junction of two open areas; one trending north and the other
trending east. I made the mistake of going east here, but you should continue going north until you
encounter a fence that runs east-west. Follow the fence east to a fence corner in the woods. Cross the fence
and you will see the larger southwest contour rising prominently to the northeast in the woods. There is no
question in my mind that this is the highest spot in Washtenaw County. The land rises at least 6-7 feet above
where the contour line has been drawn.
To visit the smaller northwest spot, return to the east-west fence in the pasture. Cross the fence and go
north up a rise, through some sumac trees to a tiny spot right on the edge of the woods. This spot is just
south of some sort of ATV trail, but I have no idea where it came from or where it goes. The terrain here
has many rises and bumps and I used my GPS to confirm that I had correctly located each site.
Round-trip distance is roughly 1.25 miles from the Landini's yard.