Jessamine County Highpoint Trip Report

seven areas (1,070+ ft)

Date: June 17, 2007
Author: Bill Schuler

I did these points from north to south and numbered them areas #1 to #7 respectively. From KY 4 exit 19 at US 27, south of Lexington, zero odometer.

0.0 -- KY 4 at US 27 (Nicholasville Road), go south on US 27.
2.8 -- Fayette/Jessamine county line, continue straight ahead on US 27.
3.5 -- Lexington Chinese Christian Church on the left (just past the Brannon Shopping Center).

Turn into their back parking lot and park. It's a short jog NE up the hill to Area #1. I walked around a house without seeing anyone and quartered the area. T his area is also available from in back of the Shopping Center. Continue south on US 27.

5.2 -- KY 3375, Catnip Road on the right, turn right (west).
6.4 -- Foxtail Road on the right, park. Area #2 is across the road (south).

With permission, walk around a bit and into the cornfield to the west. Area #3 is on the north side. Check out the field to the northeast. Go 0.1 mile up Foxtail Road looking for anything higher than the road. I checked out the brick house and the woods behind it. Return to KY 27.

7.9 -- Back at KY 27, turn right (south).
8.7 -- Howard Road, turn right (west).
8.9 -- Elizabeth Street, park.

Hike west into the trees but check out the whole area including the golf course to the north for Area #4. There's lots of construction action around here. Go back to US 27, now called Lancaster Road.

9.1 -- US 27, turn right (south).
9.6 -- Baker Lane on the right, turn right (west).
9.7 -- Cross the railroad tracks to a gravel road on the right, turn right (north).

10.2 -- Locked gate, park.

Area #5 is 0.24 miles WNW of here.
Area #6 is 0.28 mile NW.
Area #7 is 0.5 mile NNW, all in pastures.

I walked up the driveway/road and asked for permission to hike to the high points and was refused. There's a sign on the gate saying,

1058 Baker Lane
Private Property
Trespassers Welcome
& will be SHOT
This attitude is typical of farms used for breeding thoroughbred horses. Any strange face may spook them. On the other hand, access is simple through the pastures when horses are elsewhere.

If you are determined, you could continue driving up Baker Lane to #1096 and get permission to hike north along the power line right-of-way. Just to get some exercise, of course. It's about a mile round trip and all high points can be seen beyond the fences.