Monroe County High Point Trip Report
3 areas (all 580+ ft with 20 ft contour intervals)
Date: January 26, 2001
Author: Fred Dale
We started in Smithville, MS, at the jct. of State Highways. 25 & 23. Go E on Hwy. 23 ~1.7 mi. from
Hwy. 25. Turn right onto Pearce Chapel Rd. Initially south-going, it'll shortly curve to due E. Go 6.8 mi.
to Horseshoe Bend Rd. (it'll be the second so-named road) and turn left (N) -- gravel. Proceed 1.3 mi. to a
point just before the road forks, then turn R onto a rough logging lane. 0.3 mi. up ahead is a prominent
cut-over hill on the left with a view to the north. Park. A hike of an estimated 300-400 yds. S-SE through
the woods (ascending first one hill then across a saddle) takes you to the first oaky hp.
GPS coordinates (34 deg 4.51' N, 88 deg 13.82' W)
Topo chart (showing route from Pearce Chapel Rd. to HP north of cursor)
The second point: Back to Pearce Chapel Rd., go E 1.0 more mile to a distinctive logging lane on the left
(N) that starts through a hill-cut at the topo quad's 563' spot elevation. It was gated and signed "Posted To
Hunting". Less than 1/2 mi. NW on this lane a hiker will see the elevation increasing on a ridge trending
westward. From there, a pleasant 200 yd. un-pathed woods walk takes you to a definite peak with a view
to the first hp off to the N.
GPS coordinates (34 deg 4.02' N, 88 deg 13.36' W)
Topo chart
(use also for third point location, which follows)
Now, on Pearce Chapel Rd., go back W about 0.2 mi. Here is another logging road, this one going S.
It was gated but open (we walked). Hike in about a 1/2 mi., taking the left (SE) fork at the split.
We bushwhacked E to this hp, crossing a N-flowing brook just before ascending. But there is an easier way.
An ATV trail departs the aforementioned logging lane a quarter mile or so beyond the split. It initially goes E,
then curves on the ascent to the N, to take the logged-out summit from a south approach -- great views
of the fledgling Appalachian foothills to the E and SE.
GPS coordinates (34 deg 3.47' N, 88 deg 12.82' W)