Warren County High Point Trip Report
Date: August 18, 2001
Author: Ken Oeser
Alternate route from Mike Beavers, whose route was posted and roads split last year, so I couldn't follow.
From McMinnville drive south on Highway 56, passing the turnoff to Highway 8 on the left at 1.7 miles.
Continue about another 7 miles and turn left onto Hills Creek Road across from a market. Follow the main
road west up the valley for about 6 miles to a small church on the left. I asked permission from the locals 9
years ago (for a cave on the mountain) and on Saturday, and both times they said there's no problem going
up the creek road, which is just past the church on the right. It now has some gravel on it, but has some
large creek rocks from high water, but I can drive it in my car.
Drive anywhere from 0.2 to 0.5 mile and park.
Cross the creek (possible wading 1 foot deep) and head due west uphill. Reach the ridge headed south to
the top of the mountain, or if you go too far climb to the top of the mountain. From the northernmost point
of the mountain top, hike south (keeping the Dry Creek valley visible to the left) 0.4 mile to a large sinkhole,
passing elevation 1909 along the way. This is the 60-80 foot sinkhole on the topo; hike to the left of it, and
notice the two caves at the sandstone edge of the large sink. Hike around the sinkhole and go right (west)
to the dirt road shown on the topo. BM 1889 is 100 yards north. Hike south on the dirt road for 0.75 mile
and note the rise to your right. The parallel, overgrown road on the right is the one mentioned by Mike
Beavers. At the crest of the road, hike west uphill to the highpoint ridge. There seems to be some flagging
at the highpoint, but other flagging is around and is probably from hunters. Signs in the area state
'Rocky River Hunting Club, No hunting without written permission from the hunting club, enforced by TWRA and
other state game agencies'. I don't think from the locals or the signs that there is a problem hiking here in
non-hunting season.
Round trip hike is 4.6 miles with 1000 feet total elevation gain.