Franklin County High Point Trip Report

Date: December 16, 2001
Author: Tim Worth

From Harrisburg, take IL 34 N/NW ~ 21 miles to the few houses which make up the town of West End. Past West End, make a right (north) onto 000E (Macedonia Road), which is the Hamilton/Franklin County line. The HP can be approached from the east or the west.

For the east approach, continue north on Macedonia road ~ 6 miles until you get to an obvious high area with the AKIN water tower on top. Shortly after reaching the intersection of 250N(?) on the right (east), there will be a muddy lane on the left (west) which leads to the high area. This is shown on the topo as a road, but its more like a grass lane which is partially in someone's front yard. I decided to approached the HP from the west instead, as I could not find the land owner on the east side.

From Macedonia Road heading south of the water tower, make a right (west) at the first right which I think is unmarked, then after some zigzagging turn right (north) at Hoover Road. Go north about 3 miles until you hit Shleton Road, make a right (east). Shelton Road dead ends at a small house on the right.

On my previous visit here, two dogs hassled me while trying to get to the HP. This time the dogs were calm and the owner was around, Delores Maynus, and she gave me permission to walk the dirt road to the high area, which is about 0.4 miles south of the house. The HP is actually on property adjacent to hers. She mentioned the property owner lives in Marion, IL, but probably wouldn't mind me looking around.

Pass some old tractors on the left, and pull up to a red gate. Hop the gate and walk the short distance south through a forested area. The high area is at the sharp right turn in the road, in a field full of clover-like plants. The HP does appear to be at the edge of the road at the 604 spot elevation.

Topo chart