Plymouth County High Point Trip Report

three areas - including BM Coad (1,520+ ft)

Date: July 16, 2002
Author: Bob Schwab

From the intersection of Iowa 12 and Interstate 29 at Exit 151, drive north on Route 12 for 10.3 miles to County Route K18. Bear right on K18 and continue another 4 miles to North Ridge Road (dirt). Turn left and go northwest up this scenic but washboard road for another 3.7 miles, crossing Butcher Road at the 3-mile mark. The views from this ridge are some of the best I've seen in Iowa. Stop at the crest and park where the road bends to the north and begins to descend. If you come to an obvious fork in the road, you've gone too far.

Cross the fence to the south, then head southwest across a bean field to an obvious ridge across a dip in the field. I followed a contour of grass that had been left to control erosion that allowed me to work southwest across the field without losing much elevation. You want to head for the ridge and fence which runs north-south along the west side of the bean field. Once you arrive at the fence, go south to a rise which looks down on a farm below (area 1). There are beans to the east and pasture to the west, and it appears the highpoint is right on the fence line.

Retrace your route by following the fence north for about 0.25 mile to a second, larger site (area 2). The high spot here appears to be west of the fence out in the pasture. Hand level checks indicate this site is higher than the ridge to the south.

From here, hike west along the ridge, following the cow path that stays near the top. You will ascend another gentle ridge that bends northwest, then curls toward the southwest. Keep going as you skirt some woods on your right. The path will lead you to a third rise and the path will bend to the northwest again. At the crest of this rise the path will bend west and begin to descend. Look for BM Coad in the grass just north of the path. The BM sits on the highest ground out in the open, with woods and young trees to the east and north. I found that someone had left a penny sitting on the BM. This BM is listed in the NGS data sheets at just 1,506 feet, so it may not really belong in Andy Martin's book but the view is very nice. It wasn't possible to do a hand-level check with what I think is the highest area to the east, because trees block the line of sight.