Lagrange County Highpoint Trip Report
one tiny area in SW 1/4 of SW 1/4 of section 35-37N-11E (1,080+ ft)
Date: April 29, 2001
Author: Bob Schwab
From the tiny town of Brushy Prairie, go west on US 20 for 0.8 mile to a paved road that angles to the southeast.
Turn south on this road (950 E Road) and proceed 1.25 miles to a five-way intersection at
Charity Church. Continue south on 950 E Road for another 0.6 mile to a neat farm on the left (east).
This is the Northup farm and I found these folks to be quite cordial. Ask for permission to cross their property
and use their bridge, since you have to cross a large creek to reach the highpoint which lies about 0.6 mile to
the southeast.
Park in the barnyard and follow a path east down to the creek. Cross the bridge and follow another farm
path that goes between two fenced fields. There are several gates that you must negotiate. Once you
surmount the last gate, head southeast up a hill with open grassy areas on it. You will encounter a fence
about halfway up that must be crossed. Continue on toward the top of the hill, staying in the open grassy area.
When you reach the top of the grassy area, follow a path that runs due east into the woods. About
200 feet in, there is a junction with another path that comes in from the right. There is a small cabin down
over the bank to the north, there is an old abandoned trailer down the path another 200+ feet to the east,
and there is a sign nearby that someone erected that says this is the highpoint with an elevation of 1241 feet
(which is wrong!). This may appear to be the highpoint, but the true highpoint is about 500+ feet to the
south in the tangled woods. Relative altimeter/GPS readings indicated the junction is roughly four or five
feet lower than the true highpoint, which requires some bushwhacking to visit. GPS readings at the true
highpoint were (41.6177 deg N, 85.2314 deg W).
When I returned to my van I discovered several ticks on my clothes, so be prepared if you visit this site!