Ross County High Point Trip Report

1 area on Farrell Hill (1358 ft)
1 tiny area 2 miles ESE of Humboldt (1340+ ft)

Date: September 10, 2007
Author: Andy Hatzos

The highest points in Ross County are both located within a few miles of Bainbridge. Bainbridge is located in the flood plain of Paint Creek. The steep hills to the south contain the highest points in Pike County, and the hills to the north contain the highest points in Ross County.

--Western Area:
Judging by the contours, this area is certainly not a legitimate candidate for the county high point. However, it is worth a visit anyway. From Bainbridge, I took OH-41 north to Whetstone Road. This road follows the edge of the ridge for a mile or so, before turning east and ascending steeply. At the top, I made a sharp right turn to Benner Hill Road, and took the first driveway on the left to the home of Gordon Stump. The view to the east from his house is breathtaking! Mr. Stump allowed me to hike up the hill behind his house; the easiest trail to use is actually found near the midpoint of his driveway. The trail ascends for a very short distance and crests in a small cleared area. The highest point is somewhere on the western edge of the clearing.

As mentioned, this area is not likely the highpoint of Ross County. However, it's worth visiting given that reaching the highest point on the hill takes so little effort. It is also definitely worth experiencing the view from the Stump house.

--Eastern Area:
The true county high point is northeast of Bainbridge. I took Tong Hollow Road to the east. This road intersects with OH-41 just north of the bridge over Paint Creek. Tong Hollow Road ascends as it passes Valley Vista Golf Course, and eventually turns into California Hollow Road. A series of radio towers can be seen on the ridge just beyond the south edge of the road. Shortly after passing a power line right-of-way, a road splits to the south into the forest. This road is gated, but the gate was wide open, and the road is in great shape and gave my passenger car no trouble. The road curves around one radio tower, then heads east through the woods to an array of three more towers. The western radio tower site is inside of a large 1340+ ft. contour, with a spot elevation of 1358 feet somewhere near the middle. I spent a little bit of time exploring the area, and my advice would be to carefully examine the likely location of the highest natural ground and find a way to get there. Aside from said examination, this one was basically a drive-up.

It is worth noting that this area is the highest point in all of southern Ohio.

PICTURES:
Western area:
Picture 01 (138 k) - The view to the east from Mr. Stump's front porch. The eastern area of interest is just beyond the visible hills in this picture. On the right, the valley near Bainbridge is visible.
Picture 02 (197 k) - Looking north from Mr. Stump's driveway, up the access road to the summit.
Eastern area:
Picture 03 (120 k) - The clearing for the radio tower site at the true county high point.
Picture 04 (106 k) - The trio of radio towers above the high point.

--Part of the September 10, 2007 "Southern Ohio" COHP Trip -- Highland, Scioto, Pike, Ross

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