U.S. ISLAND HIGH POINTS
Is There a Future for "Island Pointing"?

Our recent acquisition of the highest point in Long Island, NY (30Aug07 post) sparked the idea of, Probably-Already-Thought-Of, "Island Pointing" as still another offshoot of the Mother of Geographic Extremes - State High Pointing. Some research and discussion with a small on-line group yielded various island lists including Canada and beyond. Unfortunately, the information does not necessarily include the highest elevation for each entry. Also, it may turn out that every island does not have a definitive highest point. E.g., from Bob Dew, Louisiana Regional Biologist, regarding Marsh island: "There is a small beach ridge along the south side of Marsh Island. The elevations along this ridge are approximately 5 feet. The remaining portions are considered coastal marsh and the approximate marsh elevation is around 1.5 feet." 5 feet counts, doesn't it?

County HighPointer Guru Andy Martin contributes these state islands hps:
AZ - Kodiak > 4,470' Kenaig Peak; CA - Santa Cruz Island > Devils Peak, 2,450'+; HI - the state HP; ME - Cadillac Mountain 1528'; MI - Isle Royale > Mount Desor; NY - Long Island HP, Suffolk Co.; UT - Antelope Island HP, 6596'; VT - Grand Isle cohp > one of the following: 1.5 mile southwest of South Hero 279' or South Hero 1.5 mile northeast of Grand Isle 270'+ South Hero.

http://worldislandinfo.com/blog/index.php/2007/09/04/largest-atlantic-islands-of-the-us/
http://www.worldislandinfo.com/US%20Island%20Superlatives.html
http://www.worldislandinfo.com/
http://www.worldislandinfo.com/USSTATESV1.html
http://www.worldislandinfo.com/CANAPROVV1.html

THE CT/MA/RI CORNER
1 of 4 New England Tripoints

Reach E. Thompson in NE CT the best way. Here, there's a curve in E. Thompson Rd. at New Rd. About 100ft. north of New Rd., an old RR grade intersects E. Thompson Rd. Park in the curve's wide pull-off and hike past the iron gate to the RR bed. This moderate wooded trek to the tripoint breaks down into 4 approximate quarter-mile sections, the 1st leg leading to an old trestle. Just beyond, a narrow trail crosses. Ignore this one but look for the second trail intersection at 1/2 mi. At that juncture, turn right and follow this winding rustic trail another 1/4 mile to where another trail comes in from the right. Bear left a short distance to begin the last leg at 3/4mi., a steep rocky up. The tripoint marker is at the top of the climb.

Note: Continuing 1/4 mi. on the RR grade beyond the above 1/2 mile turnoff leads to a CT/MA post on the right. Here, there's a faint trail heading uphill and south, possibly following the state line to the tricorner. At the tricorner, a faint trail was noted going north and downhill, possibly leading to the CT/MA marker. Verifying this wasn't possible this trip owing to time restraints.

This was our fourth and final New England tripoint.
Pic set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11330680@N06/sets/72157601804627157/

JERIMOTH HILL W/O GUILT
The Rhode Island High Point Revisited

This was my 3rd trip to the high point, more or less. The first time, in '99, I settled for posing for my "summit shot" at the "STATES HIGHEST POINT" sign on the crest of Rt101. The definitive hp location was across the road behind the house of a property owner to be feared. In '02, we accessed the spot legally. It was President's Day weekend, one of several owner-designated holidays for visiting "the rock." On our recent 3rd visit we were greeted by the upbeat Highpointers Club sign at the new trail head - no more guilt trips down the landowner's driveway to RI's highest elevation - weekend accesses are welcomed, all 52: http://highpointers.org/?p=9

Thanks to the new owners, the Mosleys, and HP Club members, a pleasant, dedicated trail through a pine tree woods, now parallels the Mosley's driveway, leading hp-ers to their goal...and a mailbox at the site for the visitor log. Six of us were there that Sunday morning including a newbie couple from mid-state Connecticut who we gave a crash course on the artform. As a bonus, Jeff Mosley came out to chat in his driveway and explained how he planned to relocate his U.S. flagpole closer to the trailhead with some creative landscaping around the base. Jeff seemed pleased to reside adjacent to the 46th ranked U.S. highest point at 812ft.