Hamilton County High Point Trip Report

Date: November 11-14, 1999
Author: Fred Lobdell

Both possibilities for the Hamilton Co. HP are on or near the Georgia line. The eastern one is only a short distance west of I-75 and is shown on both the Octahatchee (FL) and the Lake Park (FL/GA) quadrangles. The Octahatchee topo shows it as a 170-foot contour that continues into GA, but the Lake Park quad shows two discrete areas on either side of the state line. Regardless, if you have only one topo, take the Lake Park one, as access for this area is best done from GA.

Take I-75 into GA for about 1.5 miles to the first exit north of the state line. Exit here and turn left (southwest) and pass under the interstate. A drive of 1.3 miles will bring you to the state line, but a few hundred feet before you get to Florida there will be a radio tower on the left (east) that is not shown on the map. This is an excellent place to park. The fenced tower is posted, but I would assume that it applies to the area inside the fence and not the surrounding land.

From the tower bushwhack generally southeast through a brushy field to an obvious high area on the GA side of the line. One of the property owners has thoughtfully fenced the state line, but the fence is not in good shape. It is also not posted. Cross the fence into Florida and wander around in the somewhat open woods until you're satisfied that you've stood on all the possibly high areas.

For the second area, continue generally south on the road from the radio tower. Turn right (west) at the first intersection (this will be about a quarter mile after entering Florida) and take this good-quality dirt road for about 3.3 miles until it ends at a "T" intersection. Turn left and go about 250 yards to a poorer-quality dirt road on the left (east), just before you get to the Oak Grove Church. Take this road for about another 250 yards to where it turns sharply right. You are now inside the other 170-foot contour. There will be an area on the right where you can park and walk around this area.