Clay County High Point Trip Report

Date: February 21, 2000
Author: Ken Jones

Summary - pleasant trail hike near state highpoint, 2 to 2-1/2 miles RT, 500' gain

Details - From the Cheaha Park entrance, head east (actually, more southerly) on state route 281 about 0.5 miles to a large parking lot trailhead. Take the right-hand, more defined trail (not the track which heads left and down) around the corner about 100 yards to a junction and wilderness sign/register. Take the right fork up hill a couple of hundred yards to a junction with the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail, marked by frequent white diamond buttons on the trees. Turn left, and follow the trail about a mile to the summit area of Hernandez Peak.

We believe the top is a lichen encrusted rock left of the trail by some trees, but we stepped on good candidates on both sides of the trail to be sure. The Pinhoti trail is marked "Odum Trail" on the map. This is a pleasant hike on maintained trail except for a few feet off trail to the highest rock(s).

The other highpoint in Andy Martin's book for Clay county is given a specific elevation two feet lower on the map. It can be reached by following the trail south many more miles, and then some bushwhacking. It should not be required, however, since it is given a specific elevation which is neither a benchmark nor a marked rock ("X" on the map), and which can therefore be assumed to be the highest elevation within the closed contour.