Mississippi County High Point Trip Report
Date: January 20, 2003
Author: Hans Haustein
There were some great views of the Mississippi River from the high points inside
the levy! To begin with there are several access issues with this county, so be advised.
Finally, I didn't write down distances so you will have to make due.
The first area southeast of the town Number Nine in section 27 appeared to be
manmade as the result of the excavation of the ditches to the north and west of
the high point area.
The second area is in section 35, southeast of the first area and in a field.
It appears natural. Cotton had been planted in the field.
The third area is reached by driving north on State Highway 137 to the Missouri
State Line and taking the dirt road to the east, crossing the levy and becoming
somewhat muddy. The highpoint is just south of where the road makes a 90-degree
turn to the south and is located on the east side of the road right on the bluff
overlooking the Mississippi River.
The fourth area is reached by returning to Huffman and taking the paved road to
the Bunge Grain Terminal on the river. With permission, go south of the grain
dryer about 0.2 mile to an unnamed cemetery that has only one headstone
remaining but is neatly mowed. The high point area may not be natural; it was
kind of rectangular in shape. The base of the grain dryer to the north was
actually higher but it was definitely man made.
The next two areas are reached by driving south on State Highway 137 to Hickman.
This is where the maps don't match what is on the ground. The DeLorme and Quad
sheet show a straight road to the east of Hickman to the high point areas along
the river near the Hickman Landing. There is now a gigantic steel mill where
the road once was. Now you must go south of Hickman a short way on a gravel
road to a really wide road to the east. Go east (you are now south of the steel mill).
Follow the road to a 'T' and then go north, the road then turns to the
east where the old road is shown on the maps and crosses the levy to a large
unloading area for the barges carrying the scrap metal for the steel mill.
The northern area of these two areas is now disturbed by a set of RR tracks and the
scrap steel unloading operation. The southern area is reached by driving
through a large gravel area with steel coils stacked for shipping. The gravel
area narrows to a road and continues south where it ends at a posted gate.
The high point area is just north of the posted gate on the east side of the road.
It looks like it might have been an old home site. Could not tell if it was
natural or not. This whole area near the steel mill was really industrialized,
with several plants supporting the steel mill. Also, watch out for the giant
dump trucks carrying the scrap steel.
The next areas can be reached by taking the road labeled CR214 on the DeLorme.
This road is NOT a county road, there is large steel 'I' beam gate just past the
levy with lots of postings making clear the land owner's intent.
The final area is reached by going to Barfield and taking State Highway 18 to
its east terminus and then taking a county road to the south, past a large Burge
grain terminal. The road is paved and ends at boat ramp on the Mississippi River.
The highpoint is just north of the boat ramp a short distance.
It is very obvious; there is a picnic table very near the highest point.
This high point had the best view of them all of the Mississippi River.
The high point appeared to be natural.
I was unable to determine which area was the highest of all the areas
(very difficult to surmise with only a 5-foot contour interval).