Ross County High Point Trip Report

Date: June 22, 2002
Author: Bob Schwab

one area on Farrell Hill (spot elevation 1,358 ft)

From the town of Bainbridge (Intersection of US 50 and Ohio 41), drive north on Route 41 for 0.9 mile to Tong Hollow Road. Turn right on Tong Hollow Road and continue for 4 miles to a dirt drive on the right that ascends to a tower. If the gate is open, drive up to a split in the path just beyond the tower. Take the right fork which follows the ridge to the southwest and ends at the spot elevation site where a second tower has been installed. The contour area is quite large here, but I believe the spot elevation site is fairly close to the eastern edge of the fence surrounding the tower. As I said, if the gate is open, this one can be a virtual drive-up visit.

one tiny area (1,340+ ft)

From the town of Bainbridge (intersection of US 50 and Ohio 41), head north on Route 41 for 1.9 miles to Whetstone Road. Turn right on Whetstone and continue up the hill for 1.7 miles to Benner Hill Road which departs sharply to the right (dirt). Don't be confused by the "Pricer Ridge" sign which is really for the paved road to your left, or by the dirt road that continues east. Turn sharply right onto Benner Hill Road and proceed south about 0.2 mile to a gravel driveway to your left (mailbox # 2080). Drive in all the way to the house on the back side of the hill owned by Gordon Stump. He has absolutely one of the best views in the whole state of Ohio from his porch! He not only granted me permission to visit the small highpoint on the ridge west of his house, but he drove me there in his jeep. The route to the top is a path on the ridge to the left as you crest in the driveway. The highpoint area is quite small and is located in the woods to the left of the path before you get to the open area where spot elevation 1339 is located. I am certain that this area is not as high as the contour on Farrell Hill, but this site is worth visiting just to see the view from Mr Stump's house.