Thursday, December 25, 2025
Monday, December 15, 2025
High Point History
Brian's High Point History
|
State
|
Highpoint
|
Peak |
Date |
Elevation |
Vertical Climb |
Distance |
Height Rank |
Difficulty Rank |
|
Ohio
|
1
|
Campbell Hill |
|
1,549
|
Drive Up | 43 | 47 | |
|
Indiana
|
2
|
Hoosier Hill |
July 10, 1999
|
1,257 |
20 ft |
0.1 Miles | 44 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | Mount Davis | January 1, 2000 | 3,213 | 0 | Drive Up | 33 | 35 |
| Maryland | 4 | Backbone Mountain | January 1, 2000 | 3,360 | 750 ft | 2.2 Miles | 32 | 22 |
| West Virginia | 5 | Spruce Knob | January 2, 2000 | 4,861 | 0 | Drive Up | 24 | 34 |
| Vermont | 6 | Mount Mansfield | July 24, 2000 | 4,393 | 550 ft | 1.6 Miles | 26 | 27 |
| New Hampshire | 7 | Mt. Washington | July 25, 2000 | 6,288 | 20 ft | Ride Up | 18 | 38 |
| New York | 8 | Mount Marcy | July 26, 2000 | 5,344 | 3,200 ft | 14.8 Miles | 21 | 14 |
| Kentucky | 9 | Black Mountain | September 2000 | 4,129 | 0 | Drive Up | 27 | 42 |
| Delaware | 10 | Ebright Azimuth | October 21, 2000 | 448 | 0 | Drive Up | 49 | 49 |
| Virginia | 11 | Mt. Rogers | November 11, 2000 | 5,729 | 1,500 ft | 8.6 Miles | 19 | 16 |
| Colorado | 12 | Mt. Elbert | August 17, 2001 | 14,433 | 4,500 ft | 9 Miles | 3 | 9 |
| New Jersey | 13 | Kittatinny Mountain | July 23, 2002 | 1,803 | 0 | Drive Up | 40 | 36 |
| Arizona | 14 | Humphreys Peak | August 31, 2003 | 12,633 | 3,500 ft | 9 Miles | 10 | 10 |
| South Dakota | 15 |
Black Elk (Harney) Peak |
October 10, 2003 | 7,242 | 1,500 ft | 5.8 Miles | 15 | 19 |
| South Carolina | 16 | Sassafras Mountain | February 8, 2004 | 3,560 | 0 | Drive Up | 29 | 37 |
| Oregon | 17 | Mt. Hood | June 26, 2004 | 11,239 | 5,300 ft | 8 Miles | 13 | 5 |
| Arkansas | 18 | Magazine Mountain | March 5, 2005 | 2,753 | 150 ft | 1 Mile | 34 | 28 |
| Michigan | 19 | Mt. Arvon | June 17, 2005 | 1,979 | 300 ft | 2 Miles | 38 | 24 |
| Wisconsin | 20 | Timms Hill | June 19, 2005 | 1,951 | 130 ft | 0.4 Miles | 39 | 31 |
| Washington | 21 | Mt. Rainier | August 20, 2006 | 14,411 | 9,100 ft | 16 Miles | 4 | 4 |
| Hawaii | 22 | Mauna Kea | October 9, 2008 | 13,606 | 230 ft | 0.4 Miles | 6 | 30 |
| California | 23 | Mt. Whitney | September 3-4, 2009 | 14,497 | 6,250 ft | 21.4 Miles | 2 | 8 |
| Nevada | 24 | Boundary Peak | July 15, 2011 | 13,140 | 4,400 ft | 7.4 Miles | 9 | 11 |
| Massachusetts | 25 | Mt. Greylock | October 10, 2014 | 3,491 | 0 | Drive Up | 31 | 39 |
| Connecticut | 26 | Mt. Frisslle (S. Slope) | October 10, 2014 | 2,380 | 450 ft | 3.6 Miles | 36 | 20 |
| Rhode Island | 27 | Jerimoth Hill | October 11, 2014 | 812 | 25 ft | 0.6 Miles | 46 | 29 |
| New Hampshire |
|
Mt. Washington (2x) | October 2, 2015 | 6,288 | 20 ft | Ride Up | 18 | 38 |
| Minnesota | 28 | Eagle Mountain | October 15, 2016 | 2,301 | 600 ft | 7 Miles | 37 | 18 |
| Alaska |
|
Mount McKinley | June 13, 2017 | 20,308 | n/a | Visit NP | 1 | 1 |
| New Hampshire |
|
Mt. Washington (3x) | August 3, 2019 | 6,288 | 20 ft | Ride Up | 18 | 38 |
| Maine | 29 | Mt. Katahdin | August 8, 2019 | 5,267 | 4,200 ft | 10.4 Miles | 22 | 15 |
| Texas | 30 |
Guadalupe Peak |
September 25, 2021 | 8,751 | 2,950 ft | 8.4 Miles | 14 | 13 |
| Utah | 31 |
King's Peak |
September 10-12, 2022 | 13,534 | 5,350 ft | 28.8 Miles | 7 | 7 |
| New Mexico | 32 |
Wheeler Peak |
September 10, 2023 | 13,167 | 3,033 ft | 8.25 Miles | 8 | 12 |
| Idaho | 33 |
Borah Peak |
August 24, 2024 | 12,662 | 5,550 ft | 6.8 Miles | 12 | 6 |
| Nebraska | 34 |
Panorama Point |
June 18, 2025 | 5,424 | 0 | Drive Up | 20 | 43 |
| Kansas | 35 |
Mount Sunflower |
June 19, 2025 | 4,039 | 0 | Drive Up | 28 | 44 |
| Oklahoma | 36 |
Black Mesa |
June 19, 2025 | 4,973 | 775 ft | 8.6 Miles | 23 | 17 |
| North Dakota | 37 |
White Butte |
August 14, 2025 | 3,506 | 400 ft | 2 Miles | 30 | 23 |
| Louisiana | 38 |
Driskill Mountain |
December 14, 2025 | 535 | 150 ft | 1.8 Miles | 48 | 25 |
| Montana | 39 |
Granite Peak |
August 4, 2026 | 12,799 | 7,000 ft | 22.2 Miles | 11 | 3 |
 |
| Yellow states while living in Ohio 1999-2005 ~ Blue states while living on west coast 2006-2025 |
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Driskill Mountain, LA (535)
38th High Point Visited
48th Highest State Highpoint
25th Most Difficult
summitpost.org
wikipedia.org
This was a very unexpected highpoint trip. 2025 was a great year for state highpoint progress and Louisiana marks #5 for the year! I had a business trip that I wasn't expecting to Houston and looked on the map and realized it's about as close as I'm ever going to get to Louisiana's high point. I opted to fly to Houston one day early so gave me 24 hours to rent a car drive 600 miles round trip and return back to Houston Sunday night for work Monday morning.
To make the trip a little more fun, because of the long drive, I thought it would be fun to do in a cool car so instead of renting the least expensive economy car I opted to try a luxury car rental and picked up a 2 series BMW. It was sport, comfortable and fun to drive. How often do you get a rental car with sunroof?! As luck would have it I didn't get to keep the sunroof open very long because I drove into some dark ominous clouds which turned out to be severe thunderstorms. Nearly the 2nd two thirds of the trip to Louisiana it was raining so hard my wipers were at full speed and I still could barely see where I was going. The bad weather made the drive an extra hour long.
I was hoping to find a good place for southern cookin' in Louisiana but by the time I got to Shreveport most of the places were already closed. I found what looked a little bit like a fast food southern cooking spot called Sam's, it seemed liked there were several locations. I ordered some brisket and jumbo shrimp which were both really good. Back in the car for the last hour to my hotel in Arcadia, LS. I think I finally got in ffront of the storm, but as soon as I got out of the car to check into the hotel it again started raining cats and dogs.
Sunday I woke up and the previous day of 75-80 had changed to 30 degrees. Burrr. I wasn't really dressed for a 40 minute hike, all I had were shorts and a few layers for under my jacket, so my first stop was to Dollar General which was across from the hotel and I picked up a pair of gloves, a hat and even some sweatpants for total $17. The trailhead wasn't far away, but happy to see that the rain was long gone and it was scattered clouds and a little wind. The fall leaves were beautiful, but mostly fallen down from the storm the night before?
The trailhead was simple to find, Google took me right there. I didn't think in a million years at 30 degrees anyone else would be on the hike, but wouldn't you know as soon as I pulled into the parking lot a car pulled in next to me. It was a young girl that lives nearby and she came to give her dog, Magnolia, some exercise. I was happy to have a regular of the trail so no worries of getting lost, however, the hike is perfectly straight forward. I bundled up with all my layers and the two of us and her dog headed down the muddy trail.
For as much as it rained the day before, the trail soaked in most of the water and while there were a few mud puddles on the first section that was flat along the road, but as soon as the actual trail turned off to the left and started climbing a bit there were no more mud puddles. The trail was completely covered with leaves, but was still easy enough to follow. Signage was good and no fear of getting lost. Taylor grew up in the area and was an absolute hoot to hike with. Her idea of fun is to shoot water moccasins on the weekends in the summertime so safe to say we didn't have a lot in common. She new the way of the woods, she pointed out where the deer rubbed their antlers on the trees and where they laid down in the pine needed to sleep.
The whole trail one was was only .8 miles so we were there in about 20 minutes. There was one outlook on the way up with a nice view as well as a lookout near the top with some benches to sit and enjoy the view. The benches were sponsored by the highpointers organization. The rumor has it that Mr. Driskill bought the land with the mountainside for $5. At the top there is a big sign and a pile of rocks marking the summit. There were two caches at the top. One was actually a "Geocache" container which I mistook for the summit log. Apparently you can sign the register and take or leave items in the box. Also on the kiosk/sign was the actual summit register. There had been several people that had visited over the weekend including two from Colorado.
There is an alternate path over a false summit so we opted to go that route on the way down. It was less traveled and with all the leaves a little harder to follow because the trail is much more narrow as well as heavily covered by leaves. There were however blazes on the trees that marked the trail all the way back to the main trail. The trails merged about the start of the hike where the actual trail had veered off the back country dirt road.
Another highpoint is in the bag!
The trip home I took a different route that seemed a little more scenic. I didn't find any good options for gas for awhile but managed to refuel before having to start panicking. I exited Louisiana near Toledo Bend which has a road that goes directly over a giant lake which separates Texas from Louisiana. There were parks on each side of the lake where I stopped for a few pictures including welcome signs for both states. Imade it all the way to Lufkin, Texas where I found the best spot in the world for lunch called Tia Juanita's Fish Camp!
Monday, December 1, 2025
Monday, November 10, 2025
National & State Park History (+ National Monuments, National Recreation Areas, National Natural Landmarks)
More than Just Parks (Helpful links for each National Park)
2025
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
California
|
Death Valley NP
|
Visit/Hike
|
|
California
|
Death Valley NP: Telescope Peak
|
Hike
|
|
North Dakota
|
Theodore Roosevelt NP (North Unit)
|
Visit/Hike
|
|
North Dakota
|
Theodore Roosevelt NP (South Unit)
|
Visit/Hike
|
|
North Dakota
|
Little Missouri National Grassland
|
Drive By
|
|
Colorado
|
Rocky Mountain NP
|
Visit/Hike
|
|
Colorado
|
Great Sand Dunes NP
|
Visit/Hike
|
|
New Mexico
|
Capulin Volcano National Monument
|
Drive By
|
|
Kansas
|
Cimarron National Grassland
|
Drive By
|
|
Nebraska
|
Pawnee National Grassland
|
Drive Thru
|
|
California
|
Joshua Tree NP
|
Explore Park
|
|
California
|
Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark
|
Hike
|
|
California
|
Joshua Tree NP (Fortynine Palms Desert Oasis)
|
Hike
|
2024
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Idaho
|
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
|
Visit
|
|
Arizona
|
Ironwood Forest National Monument
|
Visit
|
|
Arizona
|
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area
|
Visit
|
|
Arizona
|
Saguaro NP
|
Visit
|
|
Arizona
|
Grand Canyon NP
|
Visit/Hike
|
|
Nevada/Arizona
|
Hoover Dam
|
Visit
|
2023
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
New Mexico
|
Bandelier NM
|
Visit/Hike
|
|
Washington
|
Mt. Rainier NP
|
Visit/Hike
|
|
Washington
|
North Cascades NP
|
Visit/Hike
|
|
California
|
Death Valley NP
|
Explore
|
2022
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
California
|
Cabrillo National Monument |
Explore
| |
California
|
Channel Island NP |
Kayak/Explore
|
2021
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
New Mexico
|
Carlsbad Caverns NP
|
Explore
|
|
Texas
|
Guadalupe Mountains NP
|
Hiking
|
|
New Mexico
|
White Sands NP
|
Explore
|
|
California
|
Yosemite NP
|
Hiking
|
|
Arizona
|
Grand Canyon NP
|
Hiking R2R
|
|
Arizona
|
Grand Canyon NP
|
S. Rim
|
|
California
|
Joshua Tree NP
|
Hiking
|
2020
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
California
|
Joshua Tree NP
|
Star Gazing
|
2019
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Maine
|
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
|
Drive thru Park
|
|
Maine
|
Baxter State Park
|
Camping and Climb Mt. Katahdin
|
|
Maine
|
Acadia NP
|
Camping and Hiking
|
|
California
|
Joshua Tree NP
|
Camping Jumbo Rocks
|
|
Arizona
|
Grand Canyon NP
|
S. Kaibab to Bright Angel + Plateau Point
|
|
Arizona
|
Grand Canyon NP
|
Grandview Trail
|
|
California
|
Death Valley NP
|
Camping and Hiking
|
|
Nevada
|
Valley of Fire State Park
|
Visit while in Las Vegas
|
|
Nevada
|
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
|
Visit while in Las Vegas
|
2018
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Colorado
|
Rocky Mountain NP
|
Climb Longs Peak (14,259)
|
|
Colorado
|
Rocky Mountain NP
|
Camping and Hiking
|
|
New York / Canada
|
Niagara Falls National Heritage Area
|
Visit While in New York
|
|
Nevada
|
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
|
Visit While in Las Vegas
|
2017
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Arizona
|
Grand Canyon NP
|
South Rim ~ Thanksgiving Holiday
|
|
Arizona
|
Grand Canyon NP
|
North Rim ~ Thanksgiving Holiday
|
|
Utah
|
Monument Valley Tribal Park
|
Monument Valley ~ Thanksgiving Holiday
|
|
Arizona
|
Antelope Canyon Tribal Park
|
Antelope Canyon ~ Thanksgiving Holiday
|
|
Arizona
|
Horseshoe Bend Overlook
|
Horseshoe Bend ~ Thanksgiving Holiday
|
|
Arizona
|
Grand Canyon (West Rim)
|
Skywalk & Eagle Point ~ Thanksgiving Holiday
|
|
Arizona
|
Valley of Fire State Park
|
Valley of Fire ~ Visit while in Las Vegas
|
|
Arizona
|
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
|
Red Rock Canyon ~ Visit while in Las Vegas
|
|
Alaska
|
Denali State Park
|
Denali State Park ~ Pull over on way home from Denali NP
|
|
Alaska
|
Denali NP
|
Bus Tour Denali NP
|
|
Alaska
|
Denali NP
|
Hike Denali NP
|
|
Alaska
|
Glacier Bay NP
|
Tour Glacier Bay NP aboard Boat
|
|
Alaska
|
Mendenhall Glacier
|
Hike to Mendenhall Glacier
|
|
California
|
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve
|
Road Trip on Motorcycle to see Poppies
|
2016
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
California
|
Armstrong Redwoods Natural Reserve
|
Visit while on Northern California Road Trip
|
|
California
|
Death Valley NP
|
Fly into Furnace Creek Airport and Explore Death Valley on Bicycle
|
2015
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
South Dakota
|
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
|
Parisa Visits while Brian runs 50k in Wyoming
|
|
Wyoming
|
Yellowstone NP
|
Visit with Rosemary, Luke and Parisa on the way to Wyoming
|
|
Wyoming
|
Grand Teton NP
|
Visit with Rosemary, Luke and Parisa on the way to Wyoming
|
|
Utah
|
Bryce Canyon NP
|
Visit with Rosemary, Luke and Parisa on the way to Wyoming
|
|
Utah
|
Zion NP
|
Visit with Rosemary, Luke and Parisa on the way to Wyoming
|
2013
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Wyoming
|
Yellowstone NP
|
Cycle Greater Yellowstone
|
|
Wyoming
|
Yellowstone NP
|
Visit on the way to Cycle Greater Yellowstone
|
|
Wyoming
|
Grand Teton NP
|
Visit on the way to Cycle Greater Yellowstone
|
|
Arizona
|
Bryce NP
|
Visit on the way to Cycle Greater Yellowstone
|
|
California
|
Joshua Tree NP
|
Visit on the way back from Yuma, AZ with my mom
|
|
Montana
|
Glacier NP
|
Spend week in Glacier NP hiking before Missoula Marathon
|
|
Washington DC
|
National Mall and Memorial Parks
|
Take Parisa to DC
|
2011
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
California
|
Death Valley NP
|
Visit on the way home from Boundary Peak (high point of Nevada)
|
|
California
|
Yosemite NP
|
Family Vacation Yosemite NP
|
|
California
|
Sequoia NP
|
Family Vacation Sequoia NP
|
|
Missouri
|
Gateway Arch NP
|
Visit While in Missouri for Spirit of St. Louis Marathon
|
2010
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
California
|
Joshua Tree NP
|
Visit with Rosemary Summer Trip
|
|
California
|
Amboy Crater National Natural Landmark
|
Visit/Hike with Physics Studends
|
2009
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Utah
|
Zion NP
|
Hiked Angels Landing day before St. George Marathon
|
2008
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Hawaii
|
Hawai'i Volcanoes NP
|
Visit While on Kona for Ironman World Championship
|
2007
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Washington
|
Rainier NP
|
Hike up to Camp Muir and Ski back to Paradise Inn
|
2006
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Washington
|
Mt. Rainier NP
|
Climb Mt. Rainier (14,411)
|
|
July 2006
|
Washington
|
Mt. Rainier NP
|
Visit Mt. Rainier Training Hike to Camp Muir and back
|
Washington
|
Mt. Rainier NP
|
Visit with Hank and Sherry
|
|
Washington
|
Mt. Rainier NP
|
Visit Mt. Rainier Pinnacle Saddle (Winter Hike)
|
2005
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Washington
|
Olympic NP: Mt. Ellinor
|
Road trip from Seattle
|
|
South Dakota
|
Mount Rushmore NP
|
Stop on the Way moving from Columbus to Seattle
|
2004
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Colorado
|
Rocky Mountain NP
|
Visit while in Colorado for Friend's Wedding
|
2003
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
South Dakota
|
Badlands NP
|
Visit while in South Dakota for Mt. Rushmore Marathon
|
|
South Dakota
|
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
|
Visit while in South Dakota for Mt. Rushmore Marathon
|
|
Arizona
|
Grand Canyon NP
|
Hike S. Kaibab, Camp Phatom Ranch, Hike up Bright Angel
|
2002
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
California
|
Lassen NP
|
Visit while in California for Humboldt Marathon
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
|
Visit when close to Kittatinny Monument New Jersey High Point
|
2001
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Canada
|
Niagara Falls National Heritage Area
|
Visit on the way to Toronto Canada
|
2000
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Washington DC
|
National Mall and Memorial Parks
|
Visit While in DC for Marine Corps Marathon
|
1999
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Arizona
|
Saguaro NP
|
Visit while Arizona for Tucson Marathon
|
|
Washington DC
|
National Mall and Memorial Parks
|
Take Little Brother to DC
|
1998
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Canada
|
Niagara Falls National Heritage Area
|
Road trip to see Niagara Falls
|
1997
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Virginia and North Carolina
|
Blue Ridge Parkway
|
Road trip with BMW Z3
|
1996
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Washington DC
|
National Mall and Memorial Parks
|
Beta 4th of July
|
1994
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Washington DC
|
National Mall and Memorial Parks
|
Beta 4th of July
|
1993
Date
|
State
| National Park |
Description
|
Washington DC
|
National Mall and Memorial Parks
|
Stop in DC on the way to Ocean City Triathlon
|
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