STATE HIGHEST POINTS: Apparent vs. Definitive.
(Or...it's the rock, stupid, the rock!).

On our recent trip to Mt. Katahdin, I found what I believe to be the Maine's high, or better - highest natural physical point. On making summit, we were so hell-bent getting our mugs in a photo with the landmark wooden sign, we almost didn't mount the higher rock next to it. The Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail, Mt. Katahdin, is marked by that Maine Appalachian Trail Club sign which is not located precisely at the highest natural physical point on Baxter Peak. It's close. I did miss noticing that rock along side when I was there in '97, but I hadn't begun high pointing yet so wasn't in tune with hp considerations. Katahdin's brass survey disk is embedded in a lower rock, off-photo right.

There are a few HPs which are "apparently" the true high point but, if you're a purist type, take note. Clingman's Dome: The highest natural physical point is not the top of the tower. The same is true for the Mt. Mitchell observation tower. Brasstown Bald: How many HPers manage to locate the bench mark next to the bottom step of the tower stairway? But, it cannot be assumed that the BM is synonymous with the highest point, in any case. It isn't true for Baxter Peak; use the eyeball method here and you'll find it.

Do an eyeball on that rock slab on Mt. Rogers. Methinks the BM is located lower than the highest bulge on that rock. KY is controversial so seek out both BMs on Black Mtn. And then there's South Dakota.... And where's the highest point location for Mt. Elbert?

Mentioned are a few of the few which are illusive or assumed. For fine-tuning purposes, throw in your observations for any of the 50 state "highest" points in the quest for the "definitive" location of each. A suggested term (TTT's idea) is "Highest Natural Physical Point/ Prominence/Elevation" or HNPP/P/E. As bagging high points go, we'll probably only go around once. T'would be good to nail 'em down on the first ascent. Are you a purist or tourist?