Anderson County Highpoint Trip Report

one tiny area (1,220+ ft) and ten areas (1,210+ ft)

Date: March 18, 2008
Author: Bob Schwab

one tiny area in section 1-21S-20E (1,220+ ft)

From the intersection of US 59 and US 169 just south of Garnett, drive south on US 59 for a little more than 2.1 miles to 1400 Road (paved). Turn left and drive east about 5.5 miles to where the road bends south. Turn left onto Texas Road (dirt) and drive 1 mile north to 1500 Road. Turn left and drive west 1 mile, then turn right and go north on Tennessee Road about 0.5 mile to the road’s crest where there are gates on both sides of the road. Park here. Cross the eastern gate and head northeast to the high “dirt pile” which is very obvious as you approach the top of the hill. From afar, this appears to be a man-made gravel pile but upon closer inspection it seems to be an undisturbed remnant from the gravel operations that basically scalped this hill. The sides of this remnant are very steep and reveal tightly-packed coarse gravel mixed with some sand. I found a way to climb to the top and was amazed to find natural topsoil on its flat top -- several inches of it -- along with grass, some native shrubs, and a few thorn bushes. I think this is the 1,220+ contour shown on the topo map and, based on the evidence, I think it’s real, not man-made!

five areas in sections 1/2-21S-20E (1,210+ ft)

The five 1210+ areas in these sections include two small bumpy areas just north near an east-west fence, the large mined-out area which encircles the 1220+ spot and crosses the road to the southwest, and two areas which are across the road roughly 0.5 mile to the southwest. I visited all of these areas. The southwestern areas were not disturbed but my hand level confirmed that the 1220+ bump is the highest point on this ridge.

one large area in section 18-22S-21E (1,210+ ft)

Return to the intersection of Texas Road and 1400 Road (paved) and drive south 5 miles on Texas Road (paved) to where the main road bends left. Continue directly south on Texas (dirt) about 1.1+ miles to where 800 Road goes left. Turn left and drive east about 0.4 mile to a gate on the south that leads to a tower. Park here and hike southeast past the tower to the highest ground in the southeast portion of this field. The entire field had been recently burned, so it was easy to see where the ground rose up. There is also some high ground north of 800 Road in the pasture.

one area in section 13-22S-20E (1,210+ ft)

Turn around and drive west back to Texas Road. Go north 0.1 mile or so and turn left on 800 Road. Drive west on 800 Road about 0.2 mile and park at the road crest. Go south into the pasture toward an antenna.

one area with spot elevation 1214 in sections 10/15-22S-20E (1,210+ ft)

Continue west on 800 Road for 2.3 miles to a red house and shed on your left. Ask for permission to walk around in their yard and pasture to the north. Some high ground seems to be just north of the road here.

two areas in sections 8/9-22S-20E (1,210+ ft)

Continue west about 1 mile to Norton Road and turn right. Drive north 1 mile and turn left on 900 Road. Drive west about 0.5 mile and park at a red gate on the south. Hike south 0.1 mile to the first area and then southeast about 0.2 mile to a larger area out in the pasture.

In summary, while I did visit all ten of the 1210+ foot areas, I believe the small 1220+ area is natural, a remnant left over from the gravel mining operations. The topsoil on top that’s supporting the native grass and bushes is what convinced me. There is no obvious sign that the gravel underneath has been disturbed, it has merely been exposed. I’d like to get a second opinion on this one so, future visitors, please report what YOU think!