Dawson County High Point Trip Report
Date: March 13, 2001
Author: Scott Surgent
The Dawson county highpoint is located on the west edge of the county in a region marked by low but
distinct hills. The region is devoted to cattle and oil. The best access seems to be from neighboring
Gaines county. On highway FM-1066 at the Dawson/Gaines county line, proceed west about 1.2 miles to
Gaines County Road 151 on the left (south). Turn onto this hard-packed dirt road and proceed about 1.5
miles to a sketchier dirt road on the left marked by "Goodrich Petroleum" lease signs. Follow this road
generally east, past a gravel pit and re-entering Dawson county along the way. Come to a gate at about
1.7 miles. The highpoint is about a half-mile due east of the gate behind an oil well and is somewhat
obvious by sight. A sign at this gate noted that the land on the east side was "posted"; another sign facing
the other way noted the land on the west side was also posted, although at no time coming in from the
west did I ever see any "posted" notices.
I decided to walk the half-mile to the highpoint and got as far as the final access road to the oil well when
I noticed cattle grazing in the area. Not wanting to hike amid the big beasts, I returned to my truck and
decided to drive in, passing through the unlocked gate and up to the oil well to within about 50 feet of the
highpoint. From here, I made a quick jog through a fence to the highest point and right back to my truck.
I returned the same way. It appears there may be road access from inside Dawson county off of FM-1066,
but I didn't check it out. The secondary road off of Gaines CR-151 was sandy with a large muddy section
that probably would bog down a smaller passenger vehicle.