Charles City Highpoint Trip Report
Dates: April 6 and 12, 2005
Author: Don Desrosiers
Note: All coordinates use the NAD27 datum.
This county turns out to have 70 points, not 69. This county is
reasonably flat. When I note that a particular point is indistinct, I use that
word without the normal sense of definitude. Fortunately, it is not being
actively logged. Unfortunately, it has become a suburb of Richmond and is being
developed. Thus, there are houses and roads not found on the topo.
This county will take you two days to finish. I was there sunup to sundown.
Some of the points are close to roads while others are well out in the woods.
You WILL have to do some walking in this county. Where mileages are critical,
they are noted. Otherwise, you should be good to go. I would regard a GPS as
critical in this county and a paper copy of the entire Roxbury quad would be a
major plus.
There was some inefficiency in my route, so the numbering scheme reflects the
order I would use if I were to do it again.
From I-64 east, take Exit 205 (Route 249) south for approximately 2/10 miles
than turn left onto US 60 east (at the light). Go 3.8 miles and turn right onto
VA 106 (Roxbury Road) at the light. Go 2.2. miles THROUGH Roxbury and turn
right onto SR 600 (Charles City Road).
#1 (37.27.26,-77.10.35): At 2.7 miles on SR 600, there is a gated dirt road on
the left. Take this approximately 1/4 mi to a 4-way intersection, go left about
25 yards, then bushwhack through the woods to the HP.
#2 (37.27.28,-77.10.50): From where the car is parked, walk along SR 600 for
another 200 yards. The HP in on the right side of the road.
#3 (37.27.17,-77.10.55): HP is on the side of house #4803.
The driveway is shown on the topo.
#4 (37.27.27,-77.11.19): Continue on SR 600 to just before Hughes Store and
turn north onto a long straight driveway on the side of a large field. There is
a rusted mailbox with no obvious number. The dirt road/driveway go pretty well
over the HP.
#5 (37.27.25,-77.11.15): In the field, southeast of #4.
Scoped as lower than #4.
#6 (37.27.18,-77.11.21): Heading back to the paved road, this HP will be on
your right near the fence. The trash in the next yard looked higher but I
suspected it was man-made.
#7 (37.27.18,-77.11.34): Continue west on SR 600. Turn right onto gravel
Kendyl Knoll Road. The highest point was in the lane between the fields but
this area has been sufficiently developed that actuality is anyone's guess.
#8 (37.27.04,-77.11.54): Continue west on SR 600 to a dirt road at the county
line across from mailbox #4030. It is drivable but barely. In 1/4 mile the
road "crests" and the HP is on the right.
#9 (37.27.03,-77.11.40): Just past #8, follow the "ridge" to this indistinct point.
#10 (37.26.55,-77.11.41): Continue on the dirt road south. Just before a
hunting shack on the right there is another dirt road heading east.
Go just past the curve in the road and bushwhack slightly into the woods.
#11 (37.26.43,-77.11.56): Continue south on the first dirt road. Just past the
obvious rise northeast of this point, there is a small game trail heading
roughly west-southwest through the woods. This will get you very close and then
you get to wander some.
#12 (37.26.44,-77.11.36): If you have driven, the 90-deg bend in the road is as
far as you want to drive. Continue on the dirt road to the obvious rise.
It was close but I thought the north side of the road was 4-5 inches higher (if that).
#13 (37.26.05,-77.11.55): Back on 600, go west into Hernico County then left
onto dirt Haupts Lane. In 1.3 miles (just past the 152 spot elevation), pull
off to the side of the road and bushwhack west through grassy woods to the HP.
#14 (37.27.03,-77.11.22): Back into car and take SR 600 east to Hughes Store
then south onto SR 603 (Old Union Road). The HP looked to be near the tree in
front of #4221.
#15 (37.27.06,-77.11.13): There was no house number I could find, but this one
is behind #4130 near the side of the house. There is a driveway but it is
easier to walk.
#16 (37.26.58,-77.10.59): At the mailbox for #4340, take the posted driveway.
HP was under cedar tree near the trashy house at the end.
#17 (37.26.45,-77.11.07): Across from Duewayne Ridge Road (a high-class
driveway, actually), bushwhack about 150 yards through the overgrown woods to
this indistinct point.
#18 (37.26.47,-77.10.58): Continue on 603 then a left into the new development
of Charlbelee Estates. I believe this point is pretty well gone, although what
is left of it is behind the house at the left of the intersection of Charlebee
and Ruths Court. You can probably ignore this one.
#19 (37.26.37,-77.10.45): Go about half way down Ruths Court (100 yards?).
The HP is fairly obvious up on the right. There were survey marks for a house,
so this one will become more difficult in the future.
#20 (37.26.34,-77.11.00): Just before getting back to 603, there is a white
house on the corner with a lighthouse as lawn art and a large back yard. I took
the HP to be at the far edge of this yard, although a case could be made for
across 603 next to the fence for #4722.
#21 (37.26.22,-77.11.45): Continue on 603 and turn right onto Rocking Horse
Lane (suggested on topo). Follow this to the power line and park. Walk along
the power line to the end of the field. This indistinct HP will be just into
the woods on your right. You could get to this one on the way to #13.
#22 (37.26.29,-77.11.44): Head pretty much due north from #21. You can make
out the slight rise if you are paying close attention.
#23 (37.26.33,-77.11.48): Head northwest from #22, paying close attention to
the narrow neck you are going over. This point gives new meaning to "indistinct".
#24 (37.26.17,-77.10.48): This is a large area and I could be mistaken but I
thought that the area under the power lines near pole #1B74 by the 4 building
farm was as high as anything. Everything else scoped out slightly lower.
The 152 ft spot elevation (passed on way to #13) is lower than the 4 house farm.
The cell tower was clearly not at a HP.
#25 (37.25.50,-77.10.50): Get back to 603 and continue south. Take Perks Lane
to the right. The HP was to one side or the other of #4311. I vote for the
northeast side.
#26 (37.26.11,-77.10.03): This area is also somewhat large, so wandering is in
order. Continue on 603 and turn north onto VA 106 at the stop sign. I thought
the best candidates were just past the power line on either side but near the
mini-storage is a possibility.
#27 (37.25.40,-77.10.06): Head south on 106 and turn left onto Bradley Road
(656), the first left past 603. Park and walk across 106 to near the red fence
gate at the Fenton residence (didn't see a house number).
#28 (37.25.29,-77.11.48): From #27, stay on 106 for 1/2 mile and turn right
onto dirt Haupts Lane. Stay left at the "Y" and turn onto Lords Lane at 1.7
miles. In 3.3 miles, the HP is in the overgrown field at #4100.
#29 (37.25.19,-77.11.48): To the left of the yard of #3910 not far from the turnaround.
#30 (37.25.42,-77.09.55): Get back to 106 and turn north (left). Just past
point #27, turn right onto SR 656 to the end (50 yards?) then right onto 603.
The HP was on the left at #5900, Blue Barn Farm. And cleverly located next to
the blue barn.
#31 (37.25.41,-77.09.48): On the front to side yard of #6041 (reddish brown house).
#32 (37.25.38,-77.09.38): In the woods across from the mailbox for #6221.
#33 (37.25.35,-77.09.23): Park in the dirt road across from #6400. The HP is
pretty much right on the dirt road but some might vote for just into the woods
to the right. Your call either way.
#34 (37.25.26,-77.09.28): Stay on the dirt road. Just when it starts to drop
the second time, head right into the woods for about 20 yards.
#35 (37.25.25,-77.09.18): From #34, get back to the dirt road. Take a bearing
of 100 degrees magnetic to this nondescript point.
#36 (37.25.20,-77.09.12): Bushwhack pretty much due east to the power line then
south along the power line. This point is obvious in the overgrown grass to the
west of pole #567-222. One of the few distinct points I found!
#37 (37.25.16,-77.09.05): Halfway to the next pole (cf cantenary) go east into
the woods for about 20 feet. There is a very small prominence.
#38 (37.25.26,-77.08.55): From #37, bushwhack due east to the field.
Bear 40 degrees magnetic for about 150 yards. Fairly flat once you get there.
#39 (37.25.23,-77.08.43): Bear 110 degrees magnetic for about 300 yards along a
faint ridge to this fairly flat HP. Scoping shows it is higher than either #38
or 40.
#40 (37.25.13,-77.08.52): Staying on the power line, continue to an obvious
(and very good) dirt road. Turn left. There is now a house on this point,
although the local HP is in the back yard. Note: If someone could figure out
how to drive to here, it would save a LOT of time. The dirt road does NOT come
in from the east.
#41 (37.25.04,-77.08.40): From #40, take a 140 degree magnetic bearing for
about 700 yards through the overgrown woods. You will have to search a bit for
this one. Come back to the house/power line. The woods get thicker as you get
toward #44.
#42 (37.25.05,-77.09.06): Get back to the power line at the good dirt road.
The HP is just ahead and to the right in the field.
#43 (37.24.54,-77.09.15): From #42, go approximately 1/4 mile at a bearing of
230 degrees magnetic to the obvious HP. Scoping both ways shows it is lower
than #42.
#44 (37.24.44,-77.08.35): You will need a GPS to find this indistinct point.
Back at the power line go to the second power pole south of the #40 dirt road.
Go due east through the overgrown woods to this point. Not fun. GPS required.
I could not find an easier way in from the east.
#45 (37.24.27,-77.09.53): Get back to the car and continue driving east on 605.
At the stop sign, turn right onto CR 609 (Barnetts Road) for 2.1 miles and turn
right onto Catail Road (CR 650). In 1.7 miles, turn right onto Salem Run Road
(CR 655). At the end of the road is #670. The HP used to be there. Based on
the other points in the area, I do not think this one is over 150 anymore.
#46 (37.24.19,-77.09.58): Come back to the beginning of the pavement.
The indistinct HP is to the east of the road just into the woods.
Field examination shows it is higher than #45.
#47 (37.24.12,-77.09.58): Just to the east of Salem Run Road and slightly south
of #6409. Not a lung-buster.
#48 (37.24.51,-77.12.13): From #47, go west on Cattail for 1.3 miles then turn
right (north) onto 106. In 3/10 mile, turn left onto CR 604 (no street name
seen). Go an additional 1.4 miles to this HP which is just to the right of the
mailbox for #5601.
#49 (37.24.55,-77.12.26): Turn on driveway for #5435. HP is in front of the
white house as you drive up.
#50 (37.25.01,-77.12.24): HP is in a cleared, grass area about 30 yards south
of the house at #5391.
#51 (37.25.11,-77.12.37): Take a left onto CR 661 (The Loop). HP is in the
overgrown woods behind #3361. Kind of a trashed neighborhood.
#52 (37.25.32,-77.12.16): Get back onto 606, turn left, then immediately right
onto dirt Chickadee Lane. HP is at the end (4/10 mile) under some pine trees on
the left side of the road. Find a nice place to park for the next set of points.
#53 (37.25.39,-77.12.17), #54 (37.25.53,-77.12.21), #55(37.26.00,-77.12.20),
#56 (37.25.57,-77.12.13), #57 (37.25.57,-77.11.58), #58 (37.25.50,-77.11.57),
#59 (37.25.44,-77.12.09), #60 (37.25.37,-77.12.09), #61 (37.25.31,-77.12.07):
These nine points are in a hunting area thickly replanted with 8-9 foot trees.
Coming at these from the north isn't worth the effort. Get your waypoints on the GPS
and bushwhack away. They are small, indistinct points that you are not going to
find otherwise. Not much to describe other than these nine took me better than
two hours. It may be worth finding an alternate access.
#62 (37.25.26,-77.12.22): Get back to 606 and turn right. Get to the obvious
rise in road. HP is in the front yard of #4910.
#63 (37.25.27,-77.12.33): At #4811 go about 3/4 of the way down the driveway to
an obvious point. Watch out for the dogs.
#64 (37.25.35,-77.12.38): Continue on 606 and turn left just before the county
line at the driveway for #7002. This point is on the left behind the garage.
#65 (37.25.30,-77.12.39): This is at #7002 and the house pretty much sits on
the HP. There are lots of security signs.
#66 (37.25.23,-77.12.43): Take 606 into Henrico County and turn left onto dirt
Fireside Trail (which becomes Monguy when it crosses back into C3).
In 3/10 mile, turn left into driveway of house being built (will be #4920).
HP is under the foundation.
#67 (37.25.05,-77.12.41): Turn left on the gravel driveway of #5230
(just before the pavement). HP is at the house.
#68 (37.25.08,-77.12.53): Back to Monguy and take first right onto Greenpeace
Lane. HP is about 50 yards down at the rise. Look for a survey marker on the
right. As good a landmark as any.
#69 (37.25.03,-77.12.47): Into the woods just past #5330.
#70 (37.24.44,-77.12.39): Go down long driveway for #5730. This very flat HP
is next to the fence at the house. This one may not be 150 any longer.
I have absolutely no clue which point is the highest.
Nothing looked like it was pushing 155 ft.