Richland County High Point Trip Report

1 area with BM, SW 1/4 of SE 1/4, 34-21N-19W (1510+ ft.)

Date: June 7, 2009
Author: Andy Hatzos

I completed the Richland County high point immediately after claiming Morrow County. The highest point in Morrow County is only five miles by road to the south.

I drove north along the Morrow/Richland county line (Texter Road) from near the Morrow County high point, eventually reaching State Route 97. I headed southeast on State Route 97, and then turned left (northeast) on Gass Road. Gass Road passes just below the dam at Clear Fork Reservoir. Gass Road reaches an intersection with Lexington - Ontario Road at the easternmost edge of the reservoir. Immediately northwest of the intersection is a pull off on the west side of the road, providing excellent views of the water.

I headed north on Lexington - Ontario Road until reaching my destination -- Apple Hill Orchards, just south of Noblet Road. A sign in front of the business indicated that they were "closed 'til cherries," so I went just north of the farm house to a regular house on the east side of the road. At the house, I met the family who owns the orchard, and they granted me permission to explore their property.

I first visited the site of the benchmark BM Noblet, which is located just north of a white and orange pole indicating a gas line. This area has a good rise to it, but high ground is also located out in the orchard on the west side of the road. My LiDAR analysis actually indicated the highest ground was in the orchard itself. I crossed the road and hiked west into the orchard, and did find higher ground about halfway between the road and the forested trees. I poked in and out of a few rows of orchard trees, making a loop through the orchard before claiming the county.

It should be noted that the highest point in Richland County is the second highest county high point in the entire state of Ohio. It is about 38 feet lower in elevation than Campbell Hill, the state's highest point in Logan County.

PICTURES:
Picture 01 (91 k) - Apple Hill Orchards -- the business that owns the highest ground in Richland County.
Picture 02 (195 k) - BM Noblet.
Picture 03 (147 k) - Looking north from the high area on the east side of the road. BM Noblet is visible.
Picture 04 (108 k) - From near BM Noblet, the view west into the orchard. Higher ground is visible about 10 rows of trees out.
Picture 05 (127 k) - An area in the middle of the orchard where new trees will be planted. This is at the southernmost extent of the highest ground.

KMZ Trip Log File (Track file from Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx)


Go Back