Catoosa County High Point Trip Report

one area on Taylor Ridge with BM Bryan (1,427 ft)

Date: December 23, 2000
Author: Mike Beavers

We completed this one on a nice, sunny, but cold day. We even had to hike through some snow that remained hidden from the sun on the back side of several hills. The name of the Bench Mark on the Topo map is wrong; the Bench Mark name is Taylor. There is a nice view several hundred feet to the North of the BM where the area has been clear cut.

To reach this highpoint, exit I-75 at Exit 138. Then go South on US 41 to Bandy Road. Turn right onto Bandy Road. Bandy Road is less than a mile from Exit 138. Stay on Bandy Road for several miles until you reach Houston Valley Road. Turn right onto Houston Valley Road and continue several more miles until it intersects with Beech Grove Road. Turn right onto Beech Grove Road. Follow Beech Grove Road for about a half mile until you reach the top of the ridge. When you reach the top of the ridge, the road turns sharply to the left. Park on the right side of the road at this curve.

From the parking area start hiking and bushwhacking along the ridge line (there are traces of several old logging roads that you can follow). Prior to reaching the high point you will go through one significant gap, where you loose several hundred feet by the time you reach the bottom of the gap then immediately start climbing again. When you finish this climb you are at the highpoint. The Bench Mark is on the right (east) side of an old logging road.