CLINGMANS DOME - TENNESSEE

Photographs from June 2014

The latitude and longitude coordinates (GPS waypoints) of the summit of Clingmans Dome are 35.562919 (North), -83.498601 (West), and the approximate elevation is 6643' (2025 meters) above sea level. Clingmans Dome ranks 17th in height on the list of highest natural points in each state. It is the 3rd highest elevation east of the Mississippi. It is located in Sevier County.

The mountain was dubbed "Smokey Dome" by American settlers moving in from other areas. In 1859, the mountain was renamed by Arnold Guyot for compatriot Thomas Lanier Clingman, a Confederate general in the American Civil War who explored the area extensively in the 1850s and then spent many years promoting it.

In June 2022, Lavita Hill and Mary "Missy" Crowe, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, drafted legislation for the tribe to support changing the name of Clingmans Dome to Kuwahi, the original name given to the area by the Cherokees. The Tribal Council of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians passed the legislation, during its regular session on July 14, 2022, thus lending the Tribe's support for the name change effort. The official process starts with the filing of an application for a name change through the United States Board on Geographic Names.

BRITTON HILL - FLORIDA

The latitude and longitude coordinates (GPS waypoints) of the summit of Britton Hill are 30.98483(North), -86.28238 (West), and the approximate elevation is 345 feet (105 meters) above sea level. Britton Hill ranks 50th on the list of highest natural points in each state. Located in northern Walton County.

To get to Britton Hill, take I-10 on the Florida panhandle from either direction, and exit at Rt. 331, just south of De Funiak Springs. Take Rt. 331 North for about 20 miles until you see a sign on the right pointing to the Florida highpoint. From the sign, it is about 3 miles to the park's parking lot. The park is off  N. County Highway 285.

Britton Hill was named by Hazel Slaughter Britton, the former postmistress for the town of Lakewood, Florida from 1966-1975. She was the daughter of Henry Britton, who purchased the renown Lake Lumber Company in 1900 and established the town of Lakewood in Florida's panhandle.

WOODALL MOUNTAIN - MISSISSIPPI

The latitude and longitude coordinates (GPS waypoints) of the summit of Woodall Mountain are 34.787745 (North), -88.241625 (West), and the approximate elevation is 806 feet (246 meters) above sea level. Woodall Mountain ranks 47th on the list of highest natural points in each state. Located in Tishomingo County. 

Originally called Yow Hill, and was renamed after Zephaniah Woodall, a sheriff of Tishomingo County, who bought the hill is 1884.

It is located just off Mississippi Highway 25, south of Iuka in Tishomingo County in the northeast part of the state.

SPRUCE KNOB, WEST VIRGINIA

Scenery around Spruce Knob

The latitude and longitude coordinates (GPS waypoints) of the summit of Spruce Knob are 38.699756 (North), -79.532993 (West) and the approximate elevation is 4861 feet (1482 meters) above sea level. Spruce Knob ranks 24th in height on the list of highest natural points in each state. Spruce Knob is also the highest point on the Allegheny Mountains. Located in Pendleton County.

Directions to Spruce Knob: In Seneca Rocks, take WV-28s/WV-55W and follow for about 10 miles, then turn right onto Briery Gap Run Rd. After about 2.4 miles continue onto FR 112. Follow FR 112 for about 7.4 miles until you reach the intersection with FR 104. Take a right onto FR 104 at the intersection and follow for about 1.6 miles to the observation tower. From there it is a short 100 yrds to the summit.

BACKBONE MOUNTAIN - MARYLAND

The latitude and longitude coordinates (GPS waypoints) of the summit of Backbone Mountain are 39.237398 (North), -79.485528 (West) and the approximate elevation is 3360' feet (1024 meters) above sea level. Backbone Mountain ranks 32nd in height on the list of highest natural points in each state. Located just inside of Maryland, bordering West Virginia, in Garrett County, the summit, called Hoye-Crest is the highest point on Backbone Mountain. The location, is named Captain Charles Hoye, founder of the Garrett County Historical Society.

The location is accessible via a short, and difficult, and steep 1.2 mile path, leading from U.S. Route 219 to the west. To get to the trailhead, take U.S. Route 219 from Silver Lake, West Virginia drive south for a little over one mile. There is a sign stating Maryland's high point, there are parking places on both sides of the road in that location. Look for the old logging road, from there you will follow signs and orange guiding blazes.