Jefferson County Highpoint Trip Report
two unnamed areas (2,160+ ft)
Dates: June 6 and 11, 2008
Author: Fred Lobdell
southern area, benchmark "Jeff" - June 6
I followed Mike Schwartz's directions and drove to within the high contour.
Like Mike, I was unable to find the BM;
it was probably destroyed during the mining operation.
northern area, near Vineyard Point
Follow Mike's directions. He doesn't specifically say to turn right where
the paved road goes through the stone gate but he meant to.
This is signed Empire Ridge Road at this point.
The right turn one mile further on is also signed Empire Ridge Road.
This road is accurately portrayed on the map, so one may follow the changes
of direction and elevation as one walks.
I did not see any microwave tower but where the road crosses the nose of the
2,100-foot contour there was a securely fenced area, about 100 feet square,
off to the left (west). No tower was in evidence but this may have been
where there was a tower when Mike hiked this road.
In any event, you'll need to take the next good road to the right after this point.
The high ground is a contour that extends about a third of a mile in an
east-west direction. I thought there was slightly higher ground north of the road
in the western part of this contour and south of the road in the eastern part.
You'll want to do some wandering here but the woods are fairly open
and it's not difficult walking.