Johnson County High Point Trip Report
Caddo Pk (1,065 ft)
Date: August 18, 2002
Author: Daniel Smith
Since Johnson & Hood Counties are fairly close to my house, I decided that these would make a great quest
for the day. As a side note, I find it pretty interesting that these side-by-side counties have highpoints named
after Native American tribes that used to live in this area hundreds of years ago (the Comanches won out
though with 1,230 feet). I chose to attempt Caddo Peak from the South, which seemed like the best idea
based on the topo, but I would soon find out that I was mistaken. The people who owned the southern
approach road were moving things in or out (not sure which) of a Ryder¨ truck by their garage when I drove up.
I asked for their permission and they said that I could go as far as the second gate (where their property
ended) but they didn't know how to get in touch with the company that owns the radar array and the summit.
I decided that I would go scout out as far as I could on that approach and decide what to do about
the summit after that.
Going around the side of their house, I found the first gate, which was guarded by an extremely friendly
horse and three curious goats. I jumped that gate (so as not to risk letting the livestock out) and quickly
made friends with the guardians (apparently they associated all humans with food). I reached the second
fence and saw that the road continued off to the right where the third gate stood at the base of the final slope
up to the summit. If someone wanted to get to the summit illegally, he or she could easily jump the 2nd and
3rd gates and continue along the dirt road to where it becomes paved after the third crossing. The paved
road would be overgrown with quite a bit of grass and brambles, but would take the highpointer right up to
the summit area with its white building and radar array. I suspect that there would be a fairly good view to
the southwest through a break in the trees, but that is pure speculation.
The trail/road leading to the summit becomes fairly inclined for a little while, but not bad enough to keep
people from being able to jog it. If someone were to do this in August, it would be quite hot in the middle
part of the day. However, he or she should still wear long pants to keep from getting scratched up on
plants, rocks, or fences. From the north, there is some property that backs right up against the side of the
mountain and the people I talked to said that the driveway is just 30 vertical feet below the summit.
The summit area from this side is still owned by an unknown company, so no help in crossing that barrier.
The other two points are fairly unremarkable. They are noticeably on twin hills. However, they do not feature
any semblance of the vertical relief on their neighbor to the East, Caddo Peak.
Driving Directions to Caddo Peak: Beginning in Fort Worth, TX, go south on I-35W to Burleson.
In Burleson, take Exit 38 (TX 174) and continue south to Joshua. Turn right (west) onto FM 917 toward Godley.
Turn right (north) onto FM 1902 toward Crowley. Turn right (east) onto FM 913. Turn right
(south) after 4 curves onto an unpaved road with a mailbox. Caddo Peak is further south and across 3 gated fences.
The people in the nearby house own the property that goes back to the 2nd gate, however a
company owns the remaining portion of the road up to the summit.
Driving Directions to Other 2 HPs: Beginning in Fort Worth, TX, go south on I-35W to Burleson.
In Burleson, take Exit 38 (TX 174) and continue south to Joshua. Turn right (west) onto FM 917 to Godley.
Turn right (northwest) onto FM 171 north toward Cresson. Turn right (north) onto FM 1000 (road will
eventually curve west). The road actually crosses one of the 1,060+ foot areas, but you have to go slightly
south to find the highest spot. The spot to the north can be reached either by crossing the field or continuing
on FM 1000 to where it meets FM 171 north, turning right (northwest) on FM 171 north and the turning
right (east) onto the first unpaved road that you see (this actually leads to the owners' house).