Aiken County Highpoint Trip Report

six areas near US Route 1 in the vicinity of Monetta (640+ ft)

Date: December 7, 2008
Author: Michael Schwartz

Note: There were previously believed to be ten areas. The numbering scheme for those ten are termed "old areas" below; while the numbering scheme for the remaining six areas are termed "new areas".

The Aiken-Saluda County line is misplaced on the 7.5' topo, and is shown correctly (verified on the ground by me) on the 1:100,000 map. This can be demonstrated easily by scrolling thru different scales on Acme. The correct position is about 1,000' SE of that shown on the 7.5' map.

The result of this is to eliminate old areas 1,2,5, and 6 (of the ten areas originally felt to be highpoint contenders) as these are actually in Saluda County. Furthermore, old area 3 becomes a liner. This is somewhat unfortunate, as old areas 5 and 6 show some visible rise.

Terrain in this area is subtle. Bring a GPS.

For old area 3 (new area 1), Agape Trail leads into the center of the contour; and high ground is fairly obvious.

Old area 4 (new area 2) is 500 feet out into a flat orchard.

Old areas 7, 8, and 9 (new areas 3, 4, and 5) are easy to visit, but have minimal rise.

Old area 10 (new area 6), the tiny contour east of Monetta Church, is interesting. If you follow the driveway behind the church on the north side of SC 39, the ground rises noticeably among a bunch of trailers. Worth prowling around, and no one seemed to mind my presence.