Our McLeod County, Minnesota Highpointing Page

2 close field hills: 1140+ feet

 

Introduction

McLeod County's high points are located within a stone's throw of the Meeker county Line in a field. When I visited on September 25, 2004, about an hour after sunset, I could barely make out in the waning twilight, that it was a corn field. I decided to come back after harvest to see the hilltops easily. What I couldn't see that night was that the northern high point was not in the corn field but in the adjacent field of wild grass.

 

My Approach to the McLeod County High Point Pair

This was my first stop on November 11, 2004. I came from my home in Anoka County, on U.S. Highway 12, then south on Minnesota State Highway 15 at Dassel for 7.65 miles, then right onto Meeker C.R. 18 (paved) for 3.55 miles to C.R. 9 for 1.35 miles, where I turned south, passing the McLeod County High Point area on my right, turning into the first driveway on the right (house #24735).

 

Parking

I was greeted by a friendly black dog (labrador?), and parked in the driveway. I asked for permission to hike into the field, but they only own the land up to the edge of the field by a row of laurel trees, and I was directed to the house further up the driveway (about a half-mile away). I was granted permission, and returned to park where I orignally parked.

 

The Trail

From where I parked it was only a short walk to the southern hill. The corn I saw in September had been harvested and plowed, and the bumps were easy to see.

 

The Summits

I arrived at the top of the southern summit in 7 minutes, then walked north to the other summit, arriving 5 minutes later. It was wild grasses

 

The View from the Summit Pair

McLeod County Highpoint Owners' Farmplace as seen from the southern summit

 

The Climb Down

I walked straight back to my car, past the row of laurel trees. The total time out of my car was 20 minutes.


The Route Out

I continued south on C.R. 9 for 2 miles, then right onto C.R. 20 (paved) for 2.6 miles, then left (south) on S.H. 22 for 0.2 miles, then straight (as 22 curves left) on Meeker-McLeod Ave, then right (west) on S.H. 7 for 13.7 miles, then left onto Kandiyohi C.R. 2 for 2.95 miles where I entered Renville County, my next stop.

 

Our Progress

Family Member Count
Mark 44

 

Other Trip Reports

No other trip reports have been posted. Roy Wallen made the first ascent on May 1, 1999.


Bibliography

.

http://www.topozone.com

Minnesota Atlas & Gazeteer by Delorme, 3rd Edition, 2001.

 

File Name:
Written by: Mark Ness
Last Revised by:  Mark Ness
on: