Preble County High Point Trip Report

Date: December 11, 2001
Author: Bob Schwab

Rather than trying to jump the fence at the I-70 rest area, I chose to approach this area through the fields. Leave Interstate 70 at exit 156 on the outskirts of Richmond, Indiana, and drive east 2.75 miles on US 40 to the intersection with Elkhorn Road. Turn right and go south about 0.4 mile. Park along the edge of the road, somewhat north of a house and farm.

Hike east across the fields for about 0.45 mile to the high point (39° 49.896' N, 84° 45.446' W). The initial rise you encounter in an old bean field is not the highpoint. Keep going until you are east of the rest area to your south. The contour will drop a bit and then rise again, this time in an old corn field. On the day I visited, the fields had been harvested and somewhat plowed, but not thoroughly worked. The walking wasn't easy, but at least it was dry enough I didn't have to contend with mud and clay build-up on my boots. As Roxanne Everett discovered this past summer, this high point is not accessible when the crops are growing.