Shelby County High Point Trip Report

Date: March 6, 2004
Author: Bill Jacobs

Directions: From I-20, use Exit 144A if eastbound and Exit 144B if westbound. Proceed south on US 411/SR 25 for 2.2 miles to US 78/SR 4. Turn left onto US 78/SR 4 (you are also on SR 25 but there are no signs there to indicate this). After 0.8 mile [I read 0.3 - John Mitchler] turn right following SR 25. Continue 9.0 miles to Vandiver and turn right onto CR 43. (The turn is across the street from the Vandiver Post Office.) Follow CR 43 for 5.9 miles to Season Road [on your left - John Mitchler], 0.1 mile north of the Pleasant Site Church. Follow Season Road over two small bridges and take the left fork in the road. (The right fork does not show on the topo.) The road will begin a slight climb coming again to a fork. The left fork (gated road for 12:00 meeting point) leads to the summit and the right fork (not shown on the topo) goes off to some houses.

[Season Road is a narrow paved road. I did not see two small bridges after turning off CR 43. After turning onto Season Road, go 0.2 mile and veer left at the fork. At 0.3 mile veer left onto a gated dirt road. The gate was open for us. At 0.6 mile there is another gate which could be closed. This road goes to the summit but is best negotiated with 4WD. - John Mitchler]

If coming to Signal Mountain from the south, exit the I-459, US 280/SR 38 interchange and travel southeast on US 280/SR 38 for 8.8 miles to CR43. Turn left on CR 43 for 5.7 miles to Season Road (0.1 mile past Pleasant Site Church).

Parking space at the gate leading to the summit is limited. [There is parking along the dirt road about 0.2 mile after the gate - John Mitchler] We gathered there and could take some of the cars back to the Pleasant Site Church and shuttle to the gate. Driving to the top is probably an option but in keeping with the purist bent of most of our colleagues, we opted to hike up. Anyone who so desires is welcome to drive.

We must continue the good rapport we have with the owner. Access to this cohp is still relatively restricted and for convenience-sake it should be considered open only for group hikes. For access details, contact Bill Jacobs, Kevin Williamson, or Jon Mann.