A few years ago, my significant other’s father, Mike, invited me on a trip to climb King’s Peak, the highest point in Utah. In his ’60s, he was on a quest to climb the highest point in every state. An avid hiker myself and being 50-something, I quickly agreed.
He drove to Colorado from Indianapolis and together we drove to the trailhead. There we were met by Mike’s friend Rocky who was on a quest to climb the highest point of each county in Utah. The three-day trip into a remote corner of wilderness was fun and successful and now I’m hooked.
I’m a highpointer.
The king of highpointing is Gerry Roach, the author of a popular Colorado fourteener guidebook. On his website, he describes the ultimate highpointing extravaganza, an orgy of summits only achievable by Roach himself. First are the highpoints of each of the seven continents, known as the seven summits. Currently, only 231 people have accomplished this feat, including Roach. Next are the highpoints of every country in your home continent. Then the highpoints of every state in your home country. This is the list Mike is working on, although his wife and daughters have insisted McKinley (Alaska) is off the table.
After that are the highpoints of each county in your home state. Finally are all the ranked summits within your home county. A ranked summit is at least 300 feet above the highest saddle connecting it to a higher summit.
Roach has completed everything except for the highpoints of a few Central American countries. In addition to all the state and Colorado county highpoints, Roach has summited all 53 Colorado fourteeners, all 584 thirteeners as well as many other peaks in the state. And he has compiled and completed the list of ranked summits in his home county, Boulder.
My ambitions (and capabilities) are much more modest. I would like to do as many of the states as I can. I’m up to 13. All the Colorado county highpoints are feasible for me (I’ve done 27 of 64) as is the list of summits in my home county, Jefferson (I’m at 29 of 89). The first problem for Jefferson County summits was finding a list. I ended up creating it myself. It took me hours poring over topographic maps to compile my provisional list of 89 summits.
Though many highpoints are coveted destinations like Mount Elbert, others are obscure places few people would have occasion or inclination to visit. Not for highpointers. Each checkmark on the list is coveted. It’s an addiction. Mount Sunflower in Kansas (an imperceptible rise in the prairie near the Colorado state line) is just as important as Mount Whitney in California (the highest point in the continental United States). I’ve done both.
Highpoints offer an incredible variety of ascent experiences. The highpoint of Denver County is on the sidewalk east of Safeway near the corner of Kipling and Belleview. The “ascent” involves parking and stepping out of your car. The highpoint of Jefferson County is 11,589 feet Buffalo Peak in the Lost Creek Wilderness southeast of Bailey. It’s easiest route is a 3½ mile bushwack up a steep ridge through a maze of fallen trees and boulders. Map and compass are mandatory.
Among Jefferson County summits are easy trail hikes to the tops of Green Mountain, Dinosaur Ridge and North Table Mountain, perfect for families with incredible city views. At the other end of the spectrum are a long off-trail scramble to Long Scraggy Peak and a roped rock climb to the top of Sheep Rock. Many Jefferson County summits are on private property. Some have a house on the very top. If you happen to live in one of those houses, you might find me walking up your driveway one day. Please don’t set the dogs on me.
George Sowers of Morrison is a rocket scientist with the United Launch Alliance.
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