Highpointing is (relatively speaking) a “new” sport in the genre of hiking and climbing. It has been gaining popularity in recent years. Highpointing is about ascending to the highest point (elevation) within a given geographic area by any means.
Highpointing can be done at any geographical level, for example, it can be done at the Continent level (the Seven Summits), Country-level (for example, all 50 States in the USA), or at a State level (for example, all 14 Counties in Massachusetts).
Highpointing & Highpoints
This new blend of fun and adventure sport is practiced all around the world, though it seems to be most popular in the United States.
As a couple, we are highpointers ourselves. As of the summer of 2019, we have finished 13 county highpoints (out of 14 total) in Massachusetts and 41 US State highpoints (out of 50 total).
Highpointing is also related to “peakbagging” which usually involves more mountain climbing than simple hikes or driving to a highpoint.
“I want to see what’s on the other side of the hill; then what’s beyond that.” – Emma Gatewood
Fun fact: Emma Gatewood was the first woman to thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail (completing a 2181 mile long journey in 1955).
Highpoint Adventures
- A Practical Guide to Highpointing: Best Time to Hike
- Altitude Sickness and Mountain Sickness – Must read
- A Couple Climbing All 50 US State Highpoints (Part 1)
- The Ultimate US Adventure Bucket List
- 50 States Highpoints: Backpack Packing List
Highpoint Trip Reports
US State Highpoints
- Alaska (Mt. Denali, 20,310 Feet)
- California (Mount Whitney, 14,495 Feet)
- Colorado (Mount Elbert, 14,433 Feet)
- Washington (Mount Rainier, 14,411 Feet)
- Wyoming (Gannett Peak, 13,804 Feet)
- Hawaii (Mauna Kea, 13,796 Feet)
- Utah (Kings Peak, 13,528 Feet)
- New Mexico (Wheeler Peak, 13,161 Feet)
- Nevada (Boundary Peak, 13,140 Feet)
- Montana (Granite Peak, 12,799 Feet)
- Idaho (Borah Peak, 12,662 Feet)
- Arizona (Humphreys Peak, 12,633 Feet)
- Oregon (Mount Hood, 11,239 Feet)
- Texas (Guadalupe Peak, 8,749 Feet)
- South Dakota (Harney Peak, 7,242 Feet)
- North Carolina (Mount Mitchell, 6,684 Feet)
- Tennessee (Clingmans Dome, 6,643 Feet)
- New Hampshire (Mount Washington, 6,288 Feet)
- Virginia (Mount Rogers, 5,729 Feet)
- Nebraska (Panorama Point, 5,426 Feet)
- New York (Mount Marcy, 5,344 Feet)
- Maine (Mt. Katahdin, 5,268 Feet)
- Oklahoma (Black Mesa, 4,973 Feet)
- West Virginia (Spruce Knob, 4,861 Feet)
- Georgia (Brasstown Bald, 4,784 Feet)
- Vermont (Mount Mansfield, 4,393 Feet)
- Kentucky (Black Mountain, 4,139 Feet)
- Kansas (Mount Sunflower, 4,039 Feet)
- South Carolina (Sassafras Mountain, 3,554 Feet)
- North Dakota (White Butte, 3,506 Feet)
- Massachusetts (Mount Greylock, 3,487 Feet)
- Maryland (Backbone Mountain, 3,36 Feet)
- Pennsylvania (Mount Davis, 3,213 Feet)
- Arkansas (Magazine Mountain, 2,753 Feet)
- Alabama (Cheaha Mountain, 2,405 Feet)
- Connecticut (Mount Frissell-South Slope, 2,372 Feet)
- Minnesota (Eagle Mountain, 2,301 Feet)
- Michigan (Mount Arvon, 1,978 Feet)
- Wisconsin (Timms Hill, 1,951 Feet)
- New Jersey (High Point, 1,803 Feet)
- Missouri (Taum Sauk Mountain, 1,772 Feet)
- Iowa (Hawkeye Point, 1,670 Feet)
- Ohio (Campbell Hill, 1,549 Feet)
- Indiana (Hoosier Hill, 1,257 Feet)
- Illinois (Charles Mound, 1,235 Feet)
- Rhode Island (Jerimoth Hill, 812 Feet)
- Mississippi (Woodall Mountain, 806 Feet)
- Louisiana (Driskill Mountain, 535 Feet)
- Delaware (Ebright Azimuth, 442 Feet)
- Florida (Britton Hill, 345 Feet)
MA County Highpoints
- Berkshire County, Mount Greylock, 3487 ft
- Franklin County, Mount Crum Hill, 2835 ft
- Hampshire County, West Mountain, 2106 ft
- Worcester County, Wachusett Mountain, 1998 ft
- Hampden County, Round Top Hill, 1781
- Middlesex County, Nutting Hill (Northeast Slope), 1585 ft
- Norfolk County, Great Blue Hill, 640 ft
- Essex County, Holt Hill, 423 ft
- Plymouth County, Manomet Hill, 395 ft
- Bristol County, Sunrise Hill, 394 ft
- Suffolk County, Bellevue Hill, 325 ft
- Dukes County, Marthas Vineyard High Point, 311 ft
- Barnstable County, Pine Hill, 306 ft
- Nantucket County, Sankaty Head, 111 ft