Dent County High Point Trip Report

Date: June 1, 2002
Author: Jon Mann

From the junction of Missouri 32 and Missouri 72, east of Salem, MO, head south on 72. The road runs back and forth a few times between Reynolds and Dent counties. At 7.2 miles south of the junction, there is a turnoff for a Forest Service campground (Little Sciota). At 7.7 miles you will cross back into Reynolds county, and at 8.3 miles, you will find the turnoff for Dent County Road 559 (It is signed that way, even though the junction is in Reynolds County). Turn right (west) onto Road 559. At 0.15 miles you will see a jeep road to the right (north).

Either park here, or if in high-clearance vehicle, walk or drive 0.15 miles to very small clearing. There is a yellow Forest Service survey sign on a large oak on the north side of the road. The sign marks the corner of sections 30 and 31 1.5 chains (99 feet) to the south, which is the county line. The highpoint is due north of here, on the slight rise.

I walked a slightly cleared path that curved north, then bushwhacked along the crest until I was sure I was into Dent County. Return to CR 559, and continue west about 0.6 of a mile to slight crest. This is the second area. I felt the area just to the north was the highest in the contour.