Monroe County Highpoint Trip Report

three areas (2,200+ ft)

Date: September 5, 2005
Author: Fred Lobdell

Kistler Ledge (2,215 ft)

This lies in Tobyhanna State Park, although there is no trail to it. I parked at the same electrical substation as previous visitors but at a driveway on PA 196, saving me a few feet of hiking. There is also a large pullout a few hundred feet west on PA 423. From there I followed an old woods road for a short distance but soon had to leave it for the bushwhack to the ledge. I agree that the highest ground is near the lip of the ledge.

Dresser Hill (2,200+ ft)

This is the "crux" of Monroe County, as it now lies in a gated community with security guards at the entrance. When Mike Schwartz says drive north on PA 196 0.4 mile, he really means south. The entrance at 0.4 mile is gated with no entrance possible, except on foot. The vehicle entrance is another half mile or so further south. I was able to talk my way into the community but I had the impression that the lady guard was underjoyed to see me.

From this gate, take the first left (I think it's Rosemont Road) which ends at a "T" intersection with Overlook Drive. Turn right on Overlook and follow Mike's directions, except that Highview Terrace is Highview Drive. Park at the water tower. The fence is now locked, with a sign asking residents to report any untoward occurrences to the water company. I walked all around it but saw no good way inside, especially as I was under surveillance the whole time by a gentleman who watched me from his deck across the street. The ground inside the fence does seem to be a foot or two higher than that outside but across the street, in a patch of woods, I found a large boulder whose top seemed to be as high as, or higher than, anything inside the fence, so I left satisfied.

Pimple Hill (2,213 ft)

As noted in previous reports, this is in Delaware State Recreation Area. The road was gated but there is a large parking area. There was also a sign on the gate saying that the area was closed to the public except those authorized by some state commission. There were also lots of hiking signs and trail markers around and I chose to interpret the ambiguity in my favor. The lookout tower has been dismantled but everything else is as described in previous reports.

A curious happening was my being followed into the parking area by an SUV a couple of minutes after arriving. The man in the SUV got out, took out a lawn chair, sat down, and started reading. When I returned from my hike he packed up and took off before I left.