Oktibbeha County High Point Trip Report

Date: January 27, 2001
Author: Fred Dale

Andy Martin's book at first glance appears to suggest 4 points, but as noted in the text, the first point is on the junction of two USGS quads. So POINT #"2" is a duplicate listing of POINT #1.

POINT #1

From the Natchez Trace National Parkway, travel E a short way on US Hwy. 82, to Oktibbeha County. At the intersection with Miss. Hwy. 763 (which goes N to the community of Maben), turn SOUTH onto Sturgis-Maben Rd. Go 1.9 mi. and turn R onto Double Springs Rd. You'll see the fire- tower straight ahead, at about 0.3 mi. BM "Hawkins" recovered.

Topo chart
GPS coordinates - (33 deg 29.99 min N, 89 deg 4.26 min W)

POINT #"3" in Section 19

This is the second hp area, herein called PT. #"3". One could continue south from the PT. #1 vicinity on Sturgis-Maben Road to the community of Sturgis. Mississippi Highway 12 goes through Sturgis. In town, just east (on 12) of where the Sturgis- Maben Road hits the highway, look for the south-going Louisville Rd. Go south on this road 1.6 miles. Turn right onto Hunt Rd. and go another 1.5 miles, en route taking the L fork at 0.6 mile where the road turns to gravel. Gaining elevation now, stop at the top and check out the dirt track that goes N. Park, and bag the heavily- thorned terrain on the west, PT. #"3", adjacent to the little lane.

Topo chart
Map-derived coordinates - (33 deg 18' 57" N, 89 deg 4' 21" W)

POINT #"4" in Section 20

Use same topo quad as POINT"3". Proceed north up the packed-dirt track. Go about 0.55 mile to the prominent hill, cut over except at the very top, where there is a good view, and an old cemetery (Doherty). Also, the BM "Woodland", a Mississippi State survey marker, was recovered there. Impressive view to the north (this hill can be seen entering Sturgis from the north en route from POINT #1).

GPS coordinates - (33 deg 19.39' N, 89 deg 4.03' W)