Phillips County High Point Trip Report
Date: May 22, 2001
Author: Fred Dale
An interesting highpoint, with unusual local prominence, unexpected relief, yet typical of Crowley's Ridge.
From downtown Helena, AR, on Hwy. 49B(usiness) -- called in the south of town Briscoe St., in the north,
Columbia (brick street!) -- go north to McDonough St. and turn E (right). Go 2 blocks then turn N onto
Holly St. Go 1.8 mi., this street becoming rural en route, to Dixon Cemetery, which is called "Cedar Grove
Cemetery" on the topographic map. Careful of the muddy ditches on this gravel road, park at this eerily
beautiful topo-dream of a graveyard and walk up-path to the SW area of the cemetery.
The cohp is almost due west 1/2 mi. Use the topo, compass, and perhaps GPS. Invent a tick repellent.
Descend steeply to an intermittent stream that here may be an old eroded road bed. Follow it downstream
60 or so paces, then ascend the other side. You'll have to, at times, use hand-holds to gain the 100 ft or so
to the sharp ridge spine, where a path will accompany you SW then W. Consider markers for the return.
On the ridge trail, a large downed hardwood lies across the trail not far from the hp. As the trail continues
westerly, it sharply curves left and drops in elevation as it closely passes the easily seen cohp which will be
on the right.
I hiked on, further confirming my whereabouts by comparison of the topography with the map. An old
homesite-looking spot was found about 1/4 mi. further along. The dirt lane encountered there likely is -- or
connects to -- FR 1922, a gated service lane I originally planned to bicycle from the Crowley Ridge Scenic
Byway (accessed from State Hwy. 242 in West Helena). I'd recommend testing that route for accessing this
cohp. The old homesite will be recognized by a few old junked cars and a standing pipe/wheel hub doo-dad
(mailbox post?). Anyway, the small trail to the cohp would go up and E from there.
Highpoint map-derived coordinates: (34 deg 33 min 39 sec N, 90 deg 36 min 00 sec W)
Topo chart