Mount Sunflower, Kansas. Ebright Azimuth, Delaware. Hawkeye Point, Iowa Hoosier High Point, Indiana.

They can not have the name recognition of Mount McKinley (Denali), Mount Rainier, Mount Whitney, and Mount Hood. And no doubt they are much, much easier to reach! But all these places have something in common. Each is the place more natural in your state.

Welcome to the world Highpointing. Thousands of otherwise healthy people in place to drive, walk, walk, or climb to the most high in each of the 50 states. Many never plan to reach highlights such as hardening of Denali (Alaska), Rainier (Washington) or granite (in Montana), but they have discovered the fun in planning trips to locate the unusual "summits" Sunflower (located in the plains of Kansas), Ebright Azimuth (yes, a suburban neighborhood may be the site of a climax of state), Hawkeye Point (located at the end of a crib on a farm in Iowa), and Lakewood Park (on the right in the bathrooms, and a short journey on foot along a path in a park in Florida).

Of the 50 highlights of the state, 14 are drive-ups. You drive up the peak, or so close he can throw a rock and hit it. It is likely that other 8 are very easy, involving a round trip on foot or walk of 30 minutes or less. Of Indeed, only about 9 or 10 of the highlights of the State involving more than a walk along a path well. OK, some of these roads require long hikes that may earn a good amount of lift. However, if you are in good condition, and can walk for many hours, you can manage to make about 40 highlights of the state!

Why people get into highpointing? It is a great way to see our country. You'll find the highlights in the popular tourist areas (Mount Mansfield Stowe in Vermont), National Parks (Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee), and State Parks (Mauna Kea, Hawaii, Harney Peak in the Park State Custer, South Dakota). However, many highlights are well off the road, and take you to the beautiful and interesting parts of the country that may have otherwise so overlooked. Eagle Mountain is in the desert Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota. Highlight of Oklahoma, Black Mesa, is near the tip of the strip. Taum Sauk Mountain in Missouri is located in a beautiful region of the Ozarks. Visit when the autumn leaves are at their peak, climb the observation tower near, and prepare to be thrilled.

There are also many interesting things to see and do near the highlights. Enjoy a concert of the Symphony Orchestra Boston and the Boston Pops at Tanglewood in Massachusetts. Looking for something less educated? How about the boll weevil monument in Florida? Or the Wisconsin Concrete Park, concrete sculptures of horses, soldiers and heroes? If food and drink are more to your liking, do not miss a visit to Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory in Vermont, Great Adirondack Brewing Company in New York, or a stop on the Hill Restaurant in L'Anse, Michigan, for the most decadent (the largest and) pan sweet you can imagine.

Happy Highpointing, everyone!

About The Author

Diane Winger is co-author of “Highpoint Adventures – The Complete Guide to the 50 State Highpoints”, and other guidebooks. She is also the author/webmaster for Colorado-for-Free, a guide to free events, activities, tours, and more throughout Colorado. Diane Winger © 2009 All Rights Reserved.

Missouri River 340 Goes Through New Haven, Missouri