Lafayette County High Point Trip Report

Date: July 2001
Author: Jon Mann

Platte Mounds loom large from the surrounding countryside, rising almost 400 feet. I debated whether to take the route described by John Mitchler or Mike Schwartz, but elected the Mitchler route due to heavy brush. I parked at a small parking area at the base of a gigantic M that has been erected on the hillside, made from rock then painted white. There are wooden stairs that lead almost to the summit of the south mound, about 150' of vertical. From there, I followed the red-blazed trail to the top of the mound. Encountering some of the worst insects I have ever seen, I mostly ran the trail to a point near the north summit, where I had to bushwhack through thick undergrowth to the summit.

I then followed the trail north, where it descended the side, and came out to the road at the very edge of the woods. There is a place one could park, and this would be the easiest way to tackle Platte Mound. I hiked the road back to my car, trading few insects for the hot sun. It was in the low 90's and very (80%+) humid - miserable.

Trip Statistics: 30 min duration, net gain 170 ft, total gain 230 ft, approx. 1.75 miles round-trip distance.