Cross County High Point Trip Report

five unnamed areas on Cherry Valley quadrangle (460+ ft)

Date: June 9, 2003
Author: Hans Haustein

This was the last County I needed to complete the Crowleys Ridge highpoints in Arkansas.

To reach the four eastern areas, start from the junction of Arkansas State Highway 163 and State Highway 42 and drive north on State Highway 163 for 2.4 miles to a rough gravel road on the west side of State Highway 163.

Park along the highway or continue west on the gravel road about 1/10th mile to a large gravel pit. The pit does not look as if it is actively mined. There were no postings visible in this area. Go west of the gravel pit a couple hundred yards picking your way up the side of the pit, to the crest of the ridge and a dirt road. Continue west about 1/4 mile along the road to the first area south of the road in some poison ivy.

Continue west southwest along the road about a 1/2 mile, passing a open area then a fork in the road, stay to the right. The road becomes faint as it approaches a fence line. Cross the fence and the 2nd area is soon reached along the faint road.

The 3rd area is south of the 2nd area about 1/10th mile along the faint trail at the edge of a pasture (there were cows present when I was there).

Continue south through the pasture along the faint trail to another fence line, cross the fence and the 4th area is just west of the trail in some thick vegetation about 2/10th's mile south of the 3rd area.

To reach the 5th and final area, return the way you came to the junction of State Highways 163 and 42. Go west on Highway 42 for 2.7 miles to County Road 315, near a microwave tower. Go north on CR 315 for 8/10ths mile to a fork signed "private drive". Take the left fork for 2/10ths mile to a grassy area on the west side of the road with a large tree. This is the 5th and final area. This area looks like a house used to be located there, a new home is visible to the north further up the drive. This area is owned by Mike Totty, who lives in the new house up the drive.

Note: A GPS unit would be helpful in confirming your location when doing this county. Crowleys Ridge has many ravines and bumps on the ridge itself and is heavily vegetated making navigation somewhat difficult.