{"id":10287,"date":"2012-02-23T18:27:41","date_gmt":"2012-02-23T23:27:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.howderfamily.com\/blog\/?p=10287"},"modified":"2022-02-25T07:41:17","modified_gmt":"2022-02-25T12:41:17","slug":"highpoint-tripoint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.howderfamily.com\/blog\/highpoint-tripoint\/","title":{"rendered":"Highpoint Tripoint"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I was discussing highpoints with 12MC reader Michael from Atlanta recently. He mentioned the curious situation of North Carolina. Its highpoint is Mt. Mitchell. No dispute there. However, curiously the mountain summits that form highpoints for South Carolina (Sassafras Mountain) and Tennessee (Clingmans Dome) are also right along their respective borders with North Carolina. Thus, the highpoints for three distinct states have a direct relationship with North Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mount<\/a>
North Carolina’s Mt. Mitchell Summit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We theorized that stranger situations probably existed at the county level because of their considerably smaller sizes. This left me to wonder if there were counties that shared common highpoints (“two-fers”). More improbably, I wondered whether there were three counties that shared a common highpoint at their tripoint (“three-fers”). I asked, and Michael delivered. He directed me to the definitive page<\/a> on the County Highpointers site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behold the Champion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Blanco<\/a>
Colorado’s Blanca Peak<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Blanca Peak in Colorado appears to present a unique situation. As far as I can tell, meaning I didn’t feel like searching exhaustively, I believe this could be the only spot in the United States where three counties share a common highpoint. The counties involved are Alamosa, Costilla and Huerfano. I use phrases like “appears” and “as far as I can tell” so that when someone in the Twelve Mile Circle audience proves me wrong I can still save face. Just so you know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Controversy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n