Saint Francois County Highpoint Trip Report
two areas (1,650+ ft)
Date: December 29, 2006
Author: Bob Schwab
Stono Mtn (1,644+ ft)
Hans Haustein’s report is accurate for Stono Mountain. The only thing I would
add is that the lookout has been torn down. I agree that the highest ground is
probably near some rocks just into the woods south of the dish tower
(the northernmost tower currently on the ridge).
Brown Mtn (1,650+ ft)
When I visited, I found some pretty unfriendly signs on the gate along King
School Road that Hans mentioned in his report. Since no one was home at the
houses across the street, I chose to approach this mountain from the north.
Starting from the Iron Mountain Lake, follow the paved road to the dam.
Cross the dam to the east side and watch for Arcadia Drive. Drive east on this steep
road as far as you dare. Since there had recently been an ice storm in the area,
I could not progress beyond an abandoned brown building on the left,
where I parked. Hike up the track (shown on topo map) to a trailer camp where several
trails converge. Take the path south (that stays on the ridge) and continue on
it all the way to the top. There is a large rock where this old path intersects
with the nice sandy drive that Hans describes up near the top. Go right here,
near a green-roofed cabin, and find the highest ground among some rocks near the
eastern edge of the good road. This route was not posted when I visited and I
had a nice chat with a person on an ATV while I was hiking this route. If the
gate is open, and permission can be obtained, I suspect Hans’s route would be
quicker and easier but this alternative route was pleasant and I recommend it.