Buena Vista City Highpoint Trip Report

one area on city line 1/2 mile west-northwest of Chimney Rock Mtn (1,340+ ft)

Date: June 18, 2002
Author: Dale Millsap

The HP location has been incorrectly identified in Andy Martin's book.

From the intersection of US 60 and 501, turn north onto Rockbridge Avenue. At 0.4 miles bear right as it becomes E 34th Street. At 0.5 mile, turn left onto Catalpa. At 0.9 mile, turn right onto SR 631. At 2.2 miles, turn right onto SR 733 (Jordan Road). At 2.8 miles, turn right onto Iron Wheel Lane. Stop here and talk to the older gentleman who owns the old house, lots of dogs, and chickens. You will be crossing his land, so just confirm with him. He is very friendly.

At 2.9 miles, open the metal gate and close it behind you. At 3.1 miles, pass through a white picket fence. At 3.2 miles, crest the hill and continue to 3.4 miles and park at Brad Johnson's log home. Brad is very friendly, but he has some very nice horses that need not be spooked. He apparently owns the reservoir and a lot of land, all the way to the city line. He specifically asked me to let the group know that you should check in with him before going to the high point. I left him a topo map. You should go on foot to the hp, which is 1000 feet south-southwest from his house. You will have to hop the fence, as the ground on the city side rises just a little. I fancied that the hp was where an old shot-up watering can is laying, and very close to a tree-stand which is falling down.

This area could also be accessed from the city side via a power line right-of-way, but that would involve more hiking. I found a clearing through the trees and sight leveled to the other area across the reservoir, and confirmed that it is much lower, as the map indicates.