Wake County High Point Trip Report
four unnamed areas (540+ ft)
Date: June 25, 1999
Author: Fred Lobdell
There are four areas that are possibilities for the highest point in Wake County. One of these is in an open field,
a second is in a small patch of woods, and the other two appear to be in people's yards. These areas
will be considered from south to north, and numbered in that order. They are about 10 miles northwest of Raleigh,
and more or less in a line about two miles long. The northernmost of these areas is shown on the
topographic map as having a spot elevation of 545 feet; this may well be the "true" HP, although we can't be
sure without more accurate surveying.
From the intersection of I-440 and US 70 on the north side of Raleigh, drive northwest on 70 about 4 miles
to Pinecrest Road. Turn right (north) on Pinecrest and take it to its end at a "T" intersection, a distance of
about 1.5 miles. Turn right (southeast) and go a few hundred feet to another "T" intersection. This will be
Leesville Road. Turn left (northwest) and go another couple of hundred feet to the first right,
leading into a development.
Turn right and park here. The highest area seems to be in people's back yards to your right (south);
the edge of this area is accessible from the street. It is also fairly high near the sign announcing the
development. Areas under the trees in one back yard seem to be highest, but these areas may have been
artificially raised a foot or two by mulching.
For the second area, continue generally north on Leesville Road, following it as it is joined by a road from
the right, then forks right itself shortly thereafter. About 0.7 mile from the last stop there will be a large
open field on the right; park here. Walk up through the field to the obvious high area on the south side of
the field.
The third area is about 1.7 miles by road from the second. Continue north on Leesville Road, going left at
the fork and continuing west. About a half mile after turning west, Hickory Grove Church Road will go off
to the right (north); so should you. Hickory Grove Church is about 0.3 mile up this road on the right; this is
a good place to park. Walk north from the church into a patch of woods. This will be a short bushwhack of
a couple of hundred feet to what appears to be the highest ground.
To get to the fourth area, continue north on Hickory Grove Church Road for another quarter of a mile to
the first right, which leads into a development and a cul-de-sac. Park in the cul-de-sac. From the end of the
cul-de-sac, the house to your right front (northeast) appears pretty much to sit on the high ground.
The area west and especially the woods north of the house seem to be the rather flat summit of this hill.
The only resident who appeared to be home when we visited was a large German shepherd who was chained in the
back yard. He resented our presence but the chain held.