Buffalo County Highpoint Trip Report
seven hills (1,360+ ft)
Date: March 20, 2005
Author: Mark Ness
Starting about 1 mile south of Independence (Trempealeau County), I took County
Road X west for 8.6 miles to the point where it makes a hairpin turn south.
I turned right on Theisen Ridge Road for 0.1 mile.
Area 1: I parked on the road next to the Upper Montana Ridge cemetery. It is
quite small, two rows, about a dozen graves each row. I thought the highest
ground was at the southeast corner of the cemetery, which is also about the
middle of the contour area.
Area 2: From there I made a quick left onto a gravel road at the psi-shaped
intersection and drove northwest for about 0.3 mile to the road crest. This is
a large contour, the highest ground being on the south side in an area with
short evergreen trees planted in rows, possibly the area under the power lines.
Area 3: I continued on this road for 0.6 mile and parked between the small
areas 3 and 4. Area 3 was still standing corn but easy enough to pace out for
highest ground.
Area 4: Across the road and a little west in a grassy area near the farm -
fairly flat with little elevation gain. I turned around and continued back to
the psi-intersection, this time going northeast. The road was not plowed but
could be driven even with my Ford Escort.
Area 5: I drove for 0.6 mile and got to area 5, whose highest ground was just
off the road. I continued on this road for 0.2 mile to area 6.
Area 6: This is a larger area, completely north of the road, which required
some pacing. I turned around here and went back to County Road X's hairpin turn.
Area 7 is 1.95 miles from area 6. It is in a fenced, posted, wooded area
(the topo map shows open space). Obvious, but small HP area.