KY HIGHPOINT REVISIT
Questing for the true highest elevation...

The recent Le Conte trip offered an opportunity to accomplish SE 4 highpoint re-dos. This was the first stop:

Of the two highpointing guides we've used, Holmes and Wingers, each identify different sites for the KY high point on Black Mountain. Holmes version states, "The USGS marker is under the tower" (the fire tower). That's where I discovered it to be on two previous visits, at the SW footer of the tower. Later, I learned, according to Wingers, it was set in a big rock about 50 yds (more like half that in brush & small trees) east of the tower. Also, "There was some confusion about the exact location of the highpoint on this fairly flat site." Anyway, we're probably talking elev inches here twixt the rock and the tower site.

On this 3rd visit, the tower marker could not be found. Heavy trash had been deposited underneath, so the disk was either covered over or had been removed, perhaps leaving the "rock" site as the only option now. Anyway, we're covered, having now posed for summit photos at both markers. Highpointing as purists can sometimes be a PITA, yo!

Our south approach was again from Appalachia, VA, Rt60, a quite winding, kinda depressing uphill drive, mining in that area having left it's mark. You'll know when you've reached your turn west to the site, about 1 mile on a skinny blacktop. Just past the FAA comm cluster, park at the fork and head left around the gate.

If you go, remember to mail in the wavier beforehand. Download this from the HP Club site.