Bartholomew County Highpoint Trip Report

one area on Taylor Hill (1,018 ft)

Date: March 25, 2007
Author: John Hasch

EASTERN APPROACH:

0.0 - Intersection of I-65 (Exit 68) and IN 46 - head west
3.6 - Intersection with Country Club Road - turn right (south)
4.8 - Intersection with Raintree Drive - turn left (east)
5.3 - Intersection with CR 525W; turn right (south)
5.8 - Road bends right to become Youth Camp Road
7.5 - Arrive at 10848 Youth Camp Road and drive to the house

WESTERN APPROACH:

0.0 - IN 46 at the Bartholomew / Brown County line - head east
1.8 - Intersection with road to the right; no signs except for "11471W to 10662W"; turn right (south)
2.2 - Intersection with Wolf Creek Road - turn right (south)
2.9 - Intersection with CR 50S - turn left (south) to stay on Wolf Creek Road
4.5 - Intersection with Youth Camp Road - turn left (east)
4.7 - Pass Megginson Harden Tree Farm on the right
5.0 - Pass Columbus Youth Camp on the left and a farm that raises miniature burros on the right
5.2 - Intersection with Grandview Lake Road a/k/a CR 750W - continue east
6.2 - Arrive at 10848 Youth Camp Road and drive to the house

I had the Bartholomew County trip notes and maps with me and I had plenty of sunshine. So I decided to attempt one more summit as I was driving home. I did not know when I would be able to return to this part of Indiana.

Traveling north on I-65, I exited the interstate at Exit 68, for Columbus IN and Brown County State Park. I observed the unique architecture of this interchange overpass. The roadbed is supported by two large "Maroon arches" that always reminds me of McDonald’s. The Columbus IN area is known for its unique architectural structures throughout the community. In fact, I once took a self-guided automobile tour of the area and observed 25-30 (as I recall) unique designs. I believe anyone who has the time and interest would enjoy this tour when you are in the Columbus area.

Driving west on IN 46, I was looking for the road mentioned by Bob Schwab in his trip report. Failing to find it, I eventually reached the Bartholomew-Brown county line. I turned around and attempted to follow Bob’s directions. However, the roads in this area have apparently been renamed. I never did find Grandview Lane. Armed with my DeLorme’s and some topo maps, I set off to find the HP with my nose.

I turned south on Country Club Road because the maps showed the golf course in the area. I followed this road as it wound south, then east, then south again to the junction with Raintree Drive. Knowing Taylor Hill was to the west, I turned right. I was soon met by an unpassable channel that connects North Harrison Lake with South Harrison Lake. The topo map shows a road that crosses this channel but that appears to be another change in recent years. I turned around and returned to the Country Club Road intersection. From here, I decided to continue east to the next road south. Raintree Drive became Goeller Road as I came to CR 525W. In retrospect, this appears to be (at least in part) the road Bob referred to as Grandview Lane because the directions from here match nicely with those given by Bob. There was a sign at this intersection referring to the Columbus Youth Camp.

I turned south on CR 525W and followed this main road as it turned west to become Youth Camp Road. Success! The road to the east was named Carr Hill Road, and signs were found referring to Grandview Lake and the Columbus Youth Camp. I followed this road up down and around until I came to a high point in the road. The address, excitedly, was 10848 Youth Camp Road. On the right was a pair of brick pillars, without gates or postings. I decided to drive up the paved driveway to the house.

This was a beautiful, large mansion-like property that immediately brought to mind Batman’s "stately Wayne Manor". The property was well-kept and attractive. There were vehicles in the driveway and I got out of my car to ask permission to be there. I rang the doorbell several times without response. I called out several times, again without contact. On this Sunday evening, perhaps the family was away at church.

I did not stay to wander around this property without permission but I quickly examined the layout and I agree with Bob Schwab that the home sits right atop the highest part of the hill.

I returned to Youth Camp Road and drove west. I knew there had to be a way to get back to IN 46 in this direction. This route was not disappointing. To the south of the road was a large, new, chain-link fence that must have stretched for what seemed to be several hundred feet. I also came to an intersection that pointed the way to Grandview Lake. I passed the Columbus Youth Camp on the right and a miniature burro farm that was immediately across the street. I passed the Megginson Harden Tree Farm on the left before turning north on Wolf Creek Road. This winding, woodsy road took me north on a pleasant forested drive and a few more turns brought me to IN 46.

The alternate approach above was derived from transcribing this return route backwards. Care was taken to get all the distances and turns correct and the route was mentally traced with the aid of the topo maps and DeLorme’s to check the instructions given. This approach was included as an alternative to the Bob Schwab western approach that may not be easily duplicated since the road names are missing or have changed.