Montcalm County High Point Trip Report

1 area with radio tower, SE 1/4 of SW 1/4 (1,120+ ft) - (25-11N-7W)

Date: May 3, 2007
Author: Andy Hatzos

Reaching the high point of Montcalm County led me to the following conclusion: they don't get much easier than this! The best news to report is that -- as for now -- the access issues mentioned in previous trip reports are a thing of the past. This is a must-do for fans of Martinizing.

I started from the intersection of M-46 and M-66 just west of Edmore, having recently completed the Gratiot County high points. I took M-66 south until reaching Klees Road, which is one mile north of Stanton. From M-66, the high point and radio tower are clearly visible for miles.

I headed west on Klees Road for about a half mile, finding the trail marked on the topo map at the boundary between a field and a wooded area. The trail was in decent shape, and did not give me any problems in my passenger car. Previous trip reports indicated that this road was gated and posted for no tresspassing. I looked carefully and could not find any signs, and there was no gate at all -- not even an open gate. As such, I kept on driving and would continue to drive until parking right at the summit. Be warned that after the sharp turn to the west, the road inclines steeply -- judging from the topo, around 60 feet of gain in 350 feet of horizontal distance (a slope of 17 degrees).

At the top, I found the radio tower site, with a fenced-off area to the side of the summit. I walked around for a few minutes as a technicality -- but probably could have just claimed the county the moment I stepped my foot out of the car. Through the barren trees, there were some decent views to the west -- especially down a cleared area to the northwest, where power lines run to the top.

PICTURES:
Picture 01 (164 k) - The view of the high point from the intersection of M-66 and Klees Road.
Picture 02 (273 k) - Here is the trail marked on the topo map. This road leads directly to the high point.
Picture 03 (217 k) - My parking spot at the summit.
Picture 04 (219 k) - The view to the northwest, down a power line clearing.


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