Columbia County High Point Trip Report
Date: April 1, 2002
Authors: John Mitchler and Wendy Hecht
In south-central Wisconsin, this small hill is north of Madison, just west of I-94 and the Wisconsin River.
From the intersection of I-90/94 and WI78, proceed on WI78 for 5.8 miles to an intersection with Petra Road
on your left and Owen Park Road on your right (note that you pass Petra Road at 4.5 miles).
Turn right (north) off WI78 onto Owen Park Road and drive up hill foo 1.5 miles. Watch for the impressive
Owen Park Overlook on your left (from which you can see Blue Mounds 45 miles south and 5 fireworks
shows on July Fourth). Continue on the main road, but when it bends sharply to the right, proceed straight
west for 0.5 mile on Thresher Road to its dead end. The road ends at a complex of horse barns and the
house of Dean & Wendy Mayer to the left (south). Park here. Note that the radio tower on the topo has
been relocated to just north of the barn complex.
After asking permission, walk to the left (south) of the house and follow a driveway back behind the home
towards a wood barn. Turn right (north) and walk the lane between the buildings and paddocks. After 100
yards or so, turn left (west) at a pine tree and take the lane west for 500 feet between horse paddocks, going
between two red-with-white-trim open sheds. At the end of the lane is an old wood gate. The HP is 200
feet left (south) of the gate in immature forest.
If you continue west of the gate, you will notice piles of concrete and lumber which appears to be a dump
rather than a collapsed building. Supposedly Charlie Blau owns 20 acres that may include the HP. I only
spoke to his son and uncle but would like to confirm with him the ownership. Do not visit this place during
fall hunting season because the family uses it for hunting. Do not bother the horses in any way.