Highest AT points by state

[colorado_rob]

Cool subject!

AWOL would have all this AT highpoint info, by the way.

But, beyond AWOL, in the case of GA and NJ, I would consider one little side trip each, Brasstown Bald is the highest point in Georgia, and is a short side trip from the AT. Same deal in NJ, "highpoint" is NJ's state highpoint, and is maybe a mile off the trail.

The Connecticut state highpoint is a bit off the AT, but the highest Mountain in CT is on the trail, "Bear Mountain". (the CT highpoint is a ridge on a mountain that actually peaks in Massachusettes, Mt. Frissel)

Woops, forgot about VA, that state highpoint for VA is 0.3 off the AT, Mt. Rodgers. Don't miss that one. I assume the AT highpoint in VA is at that trail junction, or maybe just a bit beyond, but definitely in Grayson SP.

You automatically go over the state HP in TN (clingman's dome), NH (Washington), MA (Greylock) and of course Maine (Katahdin).

[tdoczi]

You automatically go over the state HP in TN (clingman's dome),

actually, and to my surprise as well when i realized this, i dont beleive that is technically 100% accurate.

assuming the observation tower sits atop the highest point on the mountain (perhaps this assumption is wrong, and also quite possible the highest point is a large-ish area all essentially at the same elevation) then the trail passes within sight of but not over the peak of the mountain.

its an interesting question. if we want to go super geeky about it. especially on the tops of mountains such as clingman's with a broad, flat area on top, how do we know which spot is the absolute, positively highest?

in the case of someplace like mt washington i assume they put the marker in the right place.

but are these markers always in the exact right spot or is it just in a convenient close enough sort of spot? what of places not so clearly marked?

this is probably beyond what the OP is asking, and even beyond what i intended with my contribution.

the simple point is this- to get to what most people would consider the summit of clingman's dome you have to leave the AT. though not by very much.

[troutfisher!]

Yes, I don't want to over-analyze the details of the exact high spot and whether it is exactly on the trail. I each hike would be a hike, not a drive to the top. A quarter-mile spur trail included to reach a "view" is worth it.

My question now is specifics...
West Virginia - Blackburn ATC Spur or Peters Mountain?
Maryland - Annapolis Rock or Near High Rock? or Black Rock Cliffs?
Pennsylvania - Middle Ridge Road... is this the same as Methodist Hill?
Vermont - Stratton Mountain 3936' or near near Killington Peak 3870' - 4010'?

[tdoczi]

Vermont - Stratton Mountain 3936' or near near Killington Peak 3870' - 4010'?

they both have their pluses and minuses.

if by the rules of your own game summits with spur trails off of the AT a short distance "count" then killington is the one for VT

[TX Aggie]

Yes, I don't want to over-analyze the details of the exact high spot and whether it is exactly on the trail. I each hike would be a hike, not a drive to the top. A quarter-mile spur trail included to reach a "view" is worth it.

My question now is specifics...
West Virginia - Blackburn ATC Spur or Peters Mountain?
Maryland - Annapolis Rock or Near High Rock? or Black Rock Cliffs?
Pennsylvania - Middle Ridge Road... is this the same as Methodist Hill?
Vermont - Stratton Mountain 3936' or near near Killington Peak 3870' - 4010'?

For Maryland, I can say that they are both only 1 mile apart and it’s worth seeing both if you’re there.


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[Old Grouse]

This seems a good time to mention the 1995 Hugh Grant movie, "The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill and Came Down A Mountain."

[colorado_rob]

actually, and to my surprise as well when i realized this, i dont beleive that is technically 100% accurate.

assuming the observation tower sits atop the highest point on the mountain (perhaps this assumption is wrong, and also quite possible the highest point is a large-ish area all essentially at the same elevation) then the trail passes within sight of but not over the peak of the mountain.

its an interesting question. if we want to go super geeky about it. especially on the tops of mountains such as clingman's with a broad, flat area on top, how do we know which spot is the absolute, positively highest?

in the case of someplace like mt washington i assume they put the marker in the right place.

but are these markers always in the exact right spot or is it just in a convenient close enough sort of spot? what of places not so clearly marked?

this is probably beyond what the OP is asking, and even beyond what i intended with my contribution.

the simple point is this- to get to what most people would consider the summit of clingman's dome you have to leave the AT. though not by very much.

Yeah, that's a whole 'nother interesting topic! For example, no one has yet to absolutely positively find the true highpoint in Florida. There is a monument at the "official" point at a roadside park on "britton hill", but the actual HP is off in the woods nearby, and it is really hard to define, because of course the ground is nearly dead flat... All kinds of analysis goes on there, using lasers, whatever.

Regarding man-made structures, like the Clingmans dome ramp, most "high pointers" recognize the highest "natural" point, but what the heck, we also "climb" the towers/ramps/whatever when we can. Most state's actual high points have markers, some don't though. Many are dead-nuts accurate, some are a bit off.

Cool stuff, there is a whole culture of "high pointers" out there, and I'm a card-carrying member (I've been to all 50 state HP's, just finished this last July in Kansas....)

[HighlandsHiker]

Cool stuff, there is a whole culture of "high pointers" out there, and I'm a card-carrying member (I've been to all 50 state HP's, just finished this last July in Kansas....)

Congrats on getting all the HP's, colorado_rob, that's a terrific achievement. I'm at 33 HP's and know that getting a few of the remaining ones will be tough! Interestingly, I was also in Kansas this year - it was May and a day or two after a good rain and, driving a 2WD pickup, I almost didn't make it out of there - was wildly fishtailing up hills on these clay-covered, slick-as-ice country roads - got back to the pavement and had to kiss the ground! My son said he just knew we'd be in ditch and have to walk out. Who would've thought Mt. Sunflower would've been so exhilarating - we later said with a laugh that our hike up Mt. Elbert was tame in comparison!