Once again, the "for anywhere" is taken liberally….
I spent a couple days in Omaha for work, so a little checking of the map showed that I was a mere three hours from the highest point in Iowa. Always looking for a nice adventure, I took the rental car out into the cold cold north, where I managed to reach the summit. This is the 15th state highpoint for me, and certainly the coldest - it was 9 degrees and very windy while I was there, and dropped a couple more right after I headed back to Omaha.
Not much to see here, just a lot of corn fields all covered in snow. The spot used to be private property, but the county recognized the significance and purchased a few acres and has even added a campground.
When I left there I went a few miles north to the Minnesota border, where I got a couple more self-indulgent pictures in front of the welcome signs.
Total hiking distance was about a quarter mile, elevation gain about a foot.
A few pics below…
Not much to see on the drive either - lots of flatlands.
Sign on the highway points you to the dirt roadway of 130th Street.
I decided not to drive any further since the rest was covered in snow. Also left the car running.
That barn is a museum of sorts, but I didn't check out any of the artifacts.
Summit marker.
Obligatory selfie. Also proof that I was actually there.
The posts have signs with direction and distance to the other 49 highpoints.
Hawkeye Point
There might have been a couple steeper spots, I stumbled over the cement pads where the picnic tables usually reside. Guess I went a little cross country instead of staying on the trail. Couldn't see it in the snow anyway…
I never did get acclimated to the cold, so I just powered up and down before the symptoms got really bad.
"Argue for your limitations and sure enough they're yours".
Donald Shimoda
Donald Shimoda