Hardeman County High Point Trip Report
ten areas - two with spot elevation 1,852 ft (1,850+ ft)
Date: March 19, 2003
Author: Scott Surgent
The ten areas of Hardeman county are located along a county road near the Hardeman-Childress county line.
If coming in from Childress, take FM-268 east about 14 miles to the Hardeman county line sign, then turn
north onto Hines Road (dirt). If coming in from Quanah, drive west on US-287 to FM-268, which goes
north then west to Hines Road.
Eight areas are congregated along a ranch road heading west 2.6 miles north along Hines Road, at spot
elevation 1848. The two large areas along this road should be paced a little bit; in both instances I felt that
higher areas were on the north side, but I hiked both sides just in case. A small area on the road between the
two larger areas is clearly not as high. About 0.35 mile in, the road forks near a gravel pit, and the
remaining five areas are found along or beside the road. The tiny areas are clearly out of contention.
The gravel pit has spawned some man-made piles which I visited as well. I found the gate at this road open, but
a hanging lock suggested that it probably is closed most of the time. In questionable weather,
I took advantage of the open gate (and lack of restrictive signs) and drove in, to expedite my time.
The walk from Hines Road would have been no more than a mile round trip.
The remaining two areas are in a field to the northeast. Continue north on Hines Road 1.4 miles to Lindsey Road,
then turn right (east) on Lindsey for 1 mile to an open, ungated and unposted two-track that goes
south for 0.5 mile. I parked my truck off the road near a closed gate in very soft sand. This section is
plowed and furrowed, although it looked mostly fallow while I was here. The closest area containing an
1852 spot elevation was reached first. It still has some native trees and brush on its top. The second area
containing an 1852 spot elevation was another 0.4 mile walk to the southwest. A fence line helps show the
rise and fall in the land; the highest natural areas seemed to be a few feet in either direction of the fence,
amid trees. Make some educated guesses while there. The field was very sandy and made walking laborious.
Beware: I drove off the two-track about 5 feet and immediately sunk about 8 inches into soft sand.
I extracted myself with low-4wd. Rain could make this a nightmare, hence my desire to be quick.