Medina County High Point Trip Report

2 areas 1 mile east of Echo Lake Glen (1320+ ft.)

Date: September 21, 2009
Author: Andy Hatzos

I approached this high point from exit 3 on I-271. I drove north on State Route 3 for about 1 2/3 miles, and then turned east on State Route 606 (Hinckley Hills Road). The road curves to the north, and after about 1 1/2 miles, I turned east again on Bellus Road. Bellus Road intersects with King Road after about 1 1/2 miles. I turned north on King Road, and drove uphill for about four tenths of a mile. I parked along the right side of the road near its crest.

From here, the narrow high point ridge is to the west. The two original contours on the USGS topo matched up well with my LiDAR analysis, and my ascent was focused on three homes along the top of the ridge. From north to south, the three homes have the addresses 1604, 1624, and 1634. The addresses are printed clearly on the mailboxes at the end of the driveways.

I first hiked up toward house 1604, the northernmost of the three in question. The hike up the driveway involved about 30 feet of vertical gain and 500 feet of horizontal distance. I knocked on the door, but nobody was home. I took a quick look around and determined that the highest ground was in the front yard of the house, not far from the front porch. This would be the first of two candidates for the highest ground that I would identify.

I crossed southward into the yard of house 1624. A man in his car was just getting ready to leave, and I received permission to walk across his property. Both the front and back yards of this house are partially paved over. In addition, the ground didn't seem as high to me as it did at the house to the north. However, the back yard offered a few moderate views to the west, down the back side of the ridge.

I then crossed south into the yard of house 1634. I met a lady who was very friendly, and allowed me permission to walk around her property. She seemed very interested to learn that her house was among those sitting on the highest ground in the county. Directly south of her house, in a wooded area, I found a small rise that seemed higher than anything in the immediate area. This seemed a likely candidate for the highest ground as well.

Thus, I feel the highest points are in the front yard of house 1604, and 50 feet due south of house 1634.

After completing this high point, I visited the high points of Summit and Cuyahoga Counties, which are only a few miles away.

PICTURES:
Picture 01 (177 k) - Looking north along the driveway of house 1604. The house itself is behind the trees to the right.
Picture 02 (164 k) - The front yard of house 1604. This is the location of the high ground.
Picture 03 (162 k) - Looking to the south of house 1634. The highest ground is in the wooded area straight ahead.

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

--Part of the September 21, 2009 "Cleveland Area" COHP Trip -- Medina, Summit, Cuyahoga

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