The Highpointers Foundation provided two benches near Mount Whitney.
One is at Whitney Portal, where hikers can tie their boots before setting off.
Another is in Lone Pine near the hostel and store.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for the creation of a state highpointing exhibit at the brand new museum, located at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden. This building houses the Colorado Mountain Club, the American Alpine Club, Outward Bound, Colorado Trail Foundation, Fourteeners Initiative, and other smaller non-profits associated with the mountains.

The museum, the only one of its kind in North America, has a large exhibit hall dedicated to all facets of mountaineering – including Colorado peaks (with the Fourteeners), other American peaks, peaks from around the world, sacred peaks, and a history of mountaineering. The highpoint exhibit is currently featured as a touch screen interactive display, where visitors can explore their own state highpoints as they pass through Colorado on vacation, with text describing the highpoint and its environs and history, plus photographs.

The Foundation is committed to assisting the BWAMM in further maintenance and development efforts of the state highpoint exhibit. The Foundation hopes to be able to contribute to the BWAMM on an annual basis.

The donations for this initial expenditure were provided by the Paul Zumwalt Museum & Education Fund. The late Paul Zumwalt was a surveyor and hiking guidebook author who, along with Highpointers Club Founder Jack Longacre, was committed to creating a museum for highpointing that could someday provide educational assistance to bring the world of highpointing to a broader audience. This Fund was un-used for many years after the passing of both men, until the Highpointers Club Board of Directors determined that the best use of these funds would be to direct the funds, via the Highpointers Foundation, to assist in the creation of an exhibit at the BWAMM. Funds are being set aside for a future project at the BWAMM involving tangible historical highpointing artifacts. Another project under consideration is a short movie highlighting the 50 state highpoints, to be shown in the BWAMM theater. Users enter, push a button, and can sit and watch movies there.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for a register and sign on the summit of Mount Frissell that provide directions to the Connecticut Highpoint on the southern slopes of Mount Frissell. A register was also placed at the Highpoint.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for a benchmark to be placed by the Washington D.C. Surveyors Association after the highpoint of the Federal District was properly surveyed and established in 2007. There was a dedication ceremony in April 2008, and the highpoint became officially known at that point. The National Park Service is cited right on the benchmark as the owner, with acknowledgements to the Surveyors Association and the Highpointers Club. This was the first collaboration between the Highpointers Foundation and another organization for the benefit of a highpoint and for the benefit of the National Park Service.

The Highpointers Foundation has provided funds for signs leading visitors to the highpoint from the local road. These signs, developed by the Renaissance Signs firm of Gonic NH, employ theft-resistant bolts to deter vandals. Previous work by an Eagle Scout is being supplemented by new improvements from the Foundation, including a bench, and possibly a picnic table and info kiosk to come.

The Highpointers Foundation is committed to provide funds for a major renovation at Hawkeye Point. The Highpointers Club Liaison Committee has actively worked to foster a relationship with both the private property owners, and the local Osceola County government. In 2007 an agreement was reached whereby the Sterler family, owners of the farm for many decades, would donate the actual land at the highpoint to the County, and would sell the remaining several acres of the surrounding farm houses to the County. This agreement was realized in April 2008, and the County now has taken possession of the highpoint. County agencies will occupy the building on the location to help offset the purchase price, and state funding is being sought to assist in a visitor center.

The Foundation has committed to assisting with this process. An informational kiosk has been built near the highpoint, and the old license plate display is on the back side of it. A flagpole has been erected. Five tall posts have been erected with 10 signs on each, indicating the distance and direction to the other US highpoints. Major landscaping around the highpoint and the house has been completed. Much of this has been paid for by the Foundation. They are planning more construction in 2012, and additional funding is needed.

The highway which passes close by to the west of Hawkeye Point was recently upgraded to a major 4-lane highway, and the corridor now draws a substantially higher volume of traffic than in years past. A visitor center would bring many in for a stop. A seven acre plot of wooded land immediately north of the highpoint has been purchased from the state of Iowa Highway Department for a campground as well, and initial development occured in 2010. Brush has been cleared, and gravel laid for camping and RVs. Weary travellers can now find a place to stay next to the highpoint, perhaps one of the few locally owned highpoints in America where overnight visitation is allowed this close to the actual highpoint. The Highpointers Foundation provided the majority of funds to acquire and develop this acreage.

The Highpointers Foundation has provided a bench for visitors and an information Kiosk.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for signs leading visitors to the highpoint from the highway and along the summit ridge. These signs, developed by the Renaissance Signs firm of Gonic NH, employ theft-resistant bolts to deter vandals. A register mailbox and bench was added in 2012.

The Highpointers Foundation worked with the USFS and local historical societies to renovate the famous plaque imbedded in the summit boulder on Eagle Mountain. This operation took considerable skill on the part of Highpointer Club volunteers. The original installation company, still in business, advised on how to clean the plaque and remove about 60 years worth of decay and erosion. The plaque looked like new at the end of the summer of 2012. Foundation funds were used to complete this expensive work.

In 2011, the Foundation procured a large 50 Flags Poster commemorating the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and shipped it to the USFS Tofte Ranger Station near Eagle Mountain, MN. The poster is on display in the ranger station visitor center for passersby to view. These posters were given to the owners and managers of all 50 state highpoints in 2002 on the anniversary of 9/11. The poster for Minnesota was misplaced, and the Foundation was able to come through with a replacement.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for a large boulder to be placed inside the small road loop at the very top of the highpoint. This boulder was obtained from 50 miles away in Alabama, transported to the highpoint, and set in place. A brass plaque was inset, which describes the history of the area. The plaque honors the landowners, the extended Brown family, for allowing access to visitors. Another sign was erected at the bottom of the approach road, at the intersection with the county road, which leads visitors in the correct direction. The signs were unveiled at the Club convention at MS-10, the acronym for the Mississippi Convention held in October 2010. Close to 200 enthusiastic highpointers watched as Foundation Director Gary White unveiled the plaque, with the Brown family watching.

The Highpointers Foundation is working with the Highpointers Club to make additional improvements at the Jakk Longacre Glade. This pleasant viewpoint was donated by Lori Longacre, daughter of the late Jack “Guru Jakk” Longacre, who founded the Highpointers Club back in 1987, and was the driving force behind the growth of the Club until his death in 2002. Jakk lived near this point, and was proud to be the highest resident of the state of Missouri. His home was about two miles from the summit of Taum Sauk Mountain along County Road CC. Jakk frequently walked across the road and out to this viewpoint, occasionally even sleeping on an outcrop to watch the stars from there. The Club created a parking lot here, and improved a path to the viewpoint. Extensive surveying was required to legally accept this property, all provided by Club volunteers. Sign posts have been erected, displaying custom signs for each of the other 49 states, depicting the distance and direction to each highpoint. The Foundation provided a bench for visitors, which was placed in 2012. Visitors to Taum Sauk can stop here enroute to the highpoint for a picnic lunch.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for several signs to be placed along the gravel county roads leading to the highpoint. These signs will assist visitors in their travel to the highpoint, as well as warn of the bison herd in the area for safety. The dirt lane leading to the actual high ground was becoming rutted in inclement weather, and the landowners have asked visitors to refrain from driving around the mud puddles. Signage now indicates proper conservation of the access roads. The HPF is working with the landowners to make improvements to the cattle guard leading to Panorama Point. Access may be restricted for public safety if this project cannot become a reality. It is too dangerous for visitors to walk the mile to the highpoint if the bison herd is currently in that pasture.

Please respect the owner’s request for a nominal donation upon arrival.

The Highpointers Foundation has provided funds for three trail registers.
The USFS will install the registers at the Trail Canyon, Queen Mine, and Middle Canyon Trailheads in 2013.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds to help provide signage at Jerimoth Hill in 1999, which directed visitors to only come on Club-approved and owner-sanctioned Open Access Dates. The Highpointers Foundation also provided funds to provide materials for a trail to the highpoint, signs, and a mailbox register, in 2005. The Highpointers Club Liaison Committee coordinated an improvement weekend immediately after the NH-05 convention on Labor Day weekend, and close to 100 people helped over two days.

A replacement register and improved signs were added in 2012.

The Highpointers Foundation provided a bench at the recently renovated summit clearing.
Highpointer Steve Riddle funded the bench in honor of his 40-year anniversary with his wife Kathy.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for a large framed 50 Flags Poster, commemorating the events of September 11, 2001, which was delivered to the USFS Ranger District office in Mountain View, WY. This office administers the northern approach to Kings Peak, a.k.a the Henrys Fork Trailhead.
The US Forest Service is well aware of the many Highpointers who pass through and inquire about Kings Peak, and they are a strong ally to the hobby.
This was the first collaboration between the Highpointers Foundation and a federal ownership administration, the USFS, for the benefit of a highpoint.
Lorie is on the left, Whitney on the right.

With funds from the Highpointers Foundation, a bench was added to the Henry’s Fork Trailhead north of King’s Peak in 2012.
Trail signs will be placed in 2013.

The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for a mailbox register for visitors to sign when hiking Timms Hill.
The Highpointers Club held its annual convention nearby in August 2007, and a register mailbox was placed on that weekend. A replacement mailbox was needed and placed in 2012. A bench was also installed in 2012, along with numerous signs. The original wooden trail map signs were decaying, and were replaced in 2012, created entirely in vinyl plastic. Wisconsin HP club liaisons Doug and Mary Urban visited Timms Hill to admire the new register and bench.

Possible future projects to assist privately owned state highpoints are being considered at:

• Arkansas – Magazine Mountain – Two benches, information kiosks and boards, registration box
• Illinois – Charles Mound – Open dates information sign, bench
• Indiana – Hoosier Highpoint – New signs, kiosk, table, bench, and trail
• Kansas – Mount Sunflower – New signs, kiosk, and replacement US flag
• Nebraska – Panorama Point – Bench
• North Dakota – White Butte – Trailwork, approach road, iron ranger donation device, signs
• Ohio – Campbell Hill – Information signs on highway
• Oklahoma – Black Mesa – Bench
• South Carolina – Sassafras Mountain – Improved info kiosk
• Texas – Guadalupe Peak – Backpackers scale at TH and bench