Wanted to tell Grunt that if she gets her man to NJ there's a pleasant surprise for her. The NJ highpoint is the best family recreation spot of any state highpoint! We went swimming near the top and mountain biked several miles of easy trails in addition to hiking around. PLUS there is a miniature Washington Monument on top (don't ask me why) visible from as far away as the hazy atmosphere permits.

Cool! Thanks for the tip!

Fun forum and good read.
It's fun to see the different angles people take on climbing/hiking/getting to state high points. I climbed my first high point in 1973 when I was 11 years old (Mt. Whitney). It wasn't until 1979 when I first seriously thought of getting to the highest point in each of the fifty states. 28 years later, I only have 15 done. My goal has never been to do them in the shortest amount of time; I may even set the record for taking the longest amount of time. Given my current age, I know I need to do McKinley soon if I am to get all 50. By the way, taking longer has earned me more of a reputation for being obsessed, or an addict, among family and friends because this is dragging out so long.
All high point trips have been memorable; however, Borah Peak in the winter of 1985 will forever be embedded in my memory banks; and most recently (11 days ago), High Point Monument in New Jersey during the middle of a nor'easter, early in the morning, with the gates locked - meaning I had to hike in from the main highway during some intense weather.

This year I'm hoping to do Boundary Peak in Nevada and Kings Peak in Utah. I'm also considering an invitation extended to me to join a scout troop to the top of Montana. Rainier possibly in September with a local acquaintance who is fast approaching the big "60" (years of age).

climb14ers wrote:All you Highpointers out there, what hikes and or climbs do you have planned for this year? I am hitting Rainier, Hood and Granite.

My climbing partner, my brother, and I are hitting Rainier (May 30th-June 2nd), Whitney and Boundary (first week of July), and Hood and Borah in August. That's the plan, at least. And considering all of the time and money we've spent already on gear, plane tickets, permits, training climbs, and such, I know we're not taking this lightly.

climb14ers wrote:All you Highpointers out there, what hikes and or climbs do you have planned for this year? I am hitting Rainier, Hood and Granite.

I have 14 highpoints planned for the year including Gannett Peak, WY, 7 in the Northeast including Katahdin and Marcy, and 6 in the Midwest including my home state of Wisconsin.

Here is a similar thread on a different website:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/3897/thr ... s+in+2007-

Yes I like to highpoint as well. Hoping to add 4 states to my map on my profile page this year. Maybe a few more later this year if I get bored. I'm just shooting for all fifty by the time I turn 30.

Our plans this year aren't set; we probably have time either to drive west to Colorado and do 3 or 4 climbs out there, netting maybe 5 more highpoints on the way, or we'll swing down South and do a bunch in Dixie. We're climbing them so slowly it's driving me nuts. We only did 3 last year and none the year before that. I am dreaming about speed climbing all of them in one summer!

Lots of the Eastern mountains you can drive up; if anyone wants routes to hike instead of driving these mountains I've researched all of them and will be glad to help! Mt Washington is of course an awesome hike, but most of them seem to have good hikes if you are willing to ignore the road and park at the bottom!

...

Alpinist wrote:I don't feel the least bit of need to hike to a highpoint if it does not hold a challenge. For me, it's enough to just be there and experience the area.

Does this mean you will not be summiting Hoosier Hill in my great home state of Indiana?

I will definitley visit Hoosier Hill this summer, though I'm not sure that I would call it "summiting" exactly. I want to hit as many of the Midwestern highpoints as I can while I live here, which won't be forever...

Alpinist wrote:I will definitley visit Hoosier Hill this summer, though I'm not sure that I would call it "summiting" exactly. I want to hit as many of the Midwestern highpoints as I can while I live here, which won't be forever...

I am going toward the end July if you ( or anyone else) care to join me.

climb14ers wrote:All you Highpointers out there, what hikes and or climbs do you have planned for this year? I am hitting Rainier, Hood and Granite.

I hope to climb Granite during the week of July 30.

Anyone with similar plans & dates? I'm looking for a partner, or to join a party. Have a look at my posting in the Plans & Partners section, PM me if something might work out.

Theonestar wrote:

Alpinist wrote:I will definitley visit Hoosier Hill this summer, though I'm not sure that I would call it "summiting" exactly. I want to hit as many of the Midwestern highpoints as I can while I live here, which won't be forever...

I am going toward the end July if you ( or anyone else) care to join me.

End of July is roughly about the time I was planning to do this. I'll check back with you as my crazy work schedule becomes a little clearer. Cheers!

Got reservations confirmed for Baxter State Park in June. Hoping for good weather and hope to see a moose. Was also hoping to do a road trip to Michigan's upper peninsula but going to wait for either gas prices or my credit card balance to go down first. Until gas prices go down, we're probably going to keep our road trips to once a year.

Good luck on Granite this summer, Bruce! That looks like a special climb.

And John, if you have good weather I think you'll find Katahdin is really great. Definitely do the Knife Edge! Is your reservation for a lean-to at Chimney Pond?

Hey Alpinist and Neostar, we might do Hoosier Hill this summer, too. Probably just a drive by, but we are always looking for something local to see or do nearby. Any suggestions?

I will be on Granite Jul 1-3/4. I am looking for someone who has perhaps summitted it before to make the route-finding a little easier.