Stamp carved and box planted by zess
Location: Carney Park / Cold Harbor Trail
Map it: West Main Street and Davis Street, Northborough, MA
Driving directions
Trail Map
Distance: 2.5 miles
Terrain: Easy
**There is no ink in the box—bring your own. **
**Can be muddy; part of trail has lots of roots & rocks to trip you
**Watch carefully for poison ivy—it is on every open space that I know in Massachusetts
Follow the trail through some trees, past the boulder, along the dam (beautiful place to see a sunset), up and over the mini-woods, across the field, quick woods, along a second dam to the end, and into the woods to your left, where you skirt along a neighbor’s fence. Continue on into the woods again. The path is well-marked with the Northborough Trails markers. Stroll through this lovely stretch, noticing the occasional outcroppings on the hill to your right, and the Cold Harbor Brook wetland beyond the stone wall to your left. As you travel through here, glance down now and then at the ground on your right—you are looking for a “fire-circle.” This is a circle on the ground made from rocks—with room in the middle to build a campfire, and it is immediately adjacent to the trail. When you arrive at the fire circle, notice that just ahead of you the path passes through a stone wall. (If you reach the point in the trail where it turns to the left and enters the wetland via boardwalks, you’ve gone too far--but not too, too far; turn around and you’ll quickly find the location you seek).
Stop on the trail midway between the fire circle and the stone wall, and turn to the right (away from the brook). Several steps away you'll see two trees with multiple small trunks. Go up to them, because between them is a hollow log that doesn't quite belong there.
After stamping in, please be sure that you reseal the baggies, securely seal the box, and re-hide the box in the log, using rocks, bark, leaves, and/or sticks to make sure it is not visible from the trail. It is just a very short way now to the end of this section of the Cold Harbor Trail, so we recommend checking it out. Continue on the trail and take the turn left (indicated by the red Northborough trail markers) to cross the meadow on boardwalks. This section ends at Cherry Street. (If you wish to go further...) Turn right and walk 0.2 miles until Cherry Street dead-ends at West Street. You cannot miss the trail head for the second part of the Cold Harbor trail. Maybe that is where you’ll find the first puzzle piece? And maybe another letterbox?
If you choose to continue on along that second leg of the hike, and then return back to your car, your total distance is 4-1/2 miles. Alternatively, you can turn around from Cherry Street and backtrack to your car. This makes for a 2-1/2 mile hike.
As with all of our letterboxes, we encourage feedback so that letterboxers will enjoy the hunts, and not get frustrated by poorly written clues or unintended hazards.
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Go, Dog. Go!
Stamps carved and boxes planted by zess
Little Chauncy & Talbot Trails
Trailhead: Fisherman's Boat Access: Driving Directions
Trailmap
Distance: ~ 3 miles
Terrain: moderate due to a few hills; can be muddy in places
Clues: Easy
Notes: Bring your own ink. First box is a micro; logbook in second box.
#1. Black & white dog
Begin on trail & follow along lake, over boardwalks, past field, into pine forest.
At intersection take path to the right.
Follow trail to the cattle crossing tunnel & proceed through it (duck your head)
Continue on trail & cross street & pick up trail again
At intersection, go left, following the Northborough Trails sign “Talbot Trail”
This is a new trail just blazed this summer by an Eagle Scout
Follow around until intersection (in September…do you smell the grapes?) and turn left. (**the backtrack to here is the same route, so pay attention as you proceed**)
At next intersection, turn right (Talbot Trail)
Trail split, stay to the left
Go around tree fallen over trail
Follow trail as it turns left and goes down hill.
Another (much larger) fallen tree across path
Proceed to Eagle Scout bridge
Go ~1/2 way across bridge, to the biggest tree on the right that is the closest to the bridge
Take a step past the tree, face right, and lie down on your stomach
Look under bridge for something that does not belong.
#2. Three dogs at a party on a boat at night
Return to that intersection with the grapes, but go straight (instead of right) for different scenery
Cross street
Cattle tunnel
Split in trail, with tree in the middle with two red Northborough markers
Go Right
Sharp left
Second red marker (i.e., ~60 steps past the sharp left)
Look left for a stick/log circle with ~ 10 foot diameter on the ground
Rock outcropping in south/southwest direction – stand between edge of rocks & large pine abutting the rocks on the far side
Face southwest, toward lake. (To be more specific, face 260 degrees & spot a 1 foot high stump; if you go to this stump, the long log mentioned below will be to your left)
(Four foot stump there now—it’s tenuous & may not be standing for long **6/28/08--this stump has fallen**)
From rock/pine location, take ~8 adult steps.
Note long log at your feet
Far side, right end, notice a smaller, 1-1/2 foot log next to long log
After stamping in, continue on your journey back to your car.
If you would like to join a fun group of Grateful Letterboxers, click here.
As with all of our letterboxes, we encourage feedback so that letterboxers will enjoy the hunts, and not get frustrated by poorly written clues or unintended hazards.
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
Little Chauncy & Talbot Trails
Trailhead: Fisherman's Boat Access: Driving Directions
Trailmap
Distance: ~ 3 miles
Terrain: moderate due to a few hills; can be muddy in places
Clues: Easy
Notes: Bring your own ink. First box is a micro; logbook in second box.
#1. Black & white dog
Begin on trail & follow along lake, over boardwalks, past field, into pine forest.
At intersection take path to the right.
Follow trail to the cattle crossing tunnel & proceed through it (duck your head)
Continue on trail & cross street & pick up trail again
At intersection, go left, following the Northborough Trails sign “Talbot Trail”
This is a new trail just blazed this summer by an Eagle Scout
Follow around until intersection (in September…do you smell the grapes?) and turn left. (**the backtrack to here is the same route, so pay attention as you proceed**)
At next intersection, turn right (Talbot Trail)
Trail split, stay to the left
Go around tree fallen over trail
Follow trail as it turns left and goes down hill.
Another (much larger) fallen tree across path
Proceed to Eagle Scout bridge
Go ~1/2 way across bridge, to the biggest tree on the right that is the closest to the bridge
Take a step past the tree, face right, and lie down on your stomach
Look under bridge for something that does not belong.
#2. Three dogs at a party on a boat at night
Return to that intersection with the grapes, but go straight (instead of right) for different scenery
Cross street
Cattle tunnel
Split in trail, with tree in the middle with two red Northborough markers
Go Right
Sharp left
Second red marker (i.e., ~60 steps past the sharp left)
Look left for a stick/log circle with ~ 10 foot diameter on the ground
Rock outcropping in south/southwest direction – stand between edge of rocks & large pine abutting the rocks on the far side
Face southwest, toward lake. (To be more specific, face 260 degrees & spot a 1 foot high stump; if you go to this stump, the long log mentioned below will be to your left)
(Four foot stump there now—it’s tenuous & may not be standing for long **6/28/08--this stump has fallen**)
From rock/pine location, take ~8 adult steps.
Note long log at your feet
Far side, right end, notice a smaller, 1-1/2 foot log next to long log
After stamping in, continue on your journey back to your car.
If you would like to join a fun group of Grateful Letterboxers, click here.
As with all of our letterboxes, we encourage feedback so that letterboxers will enjoy the hunts, and not get frustrated by poorly written clues or unintended hazards.
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
How the Coyote Trail got it's name
On October 5, 2005, a Northborough grandfather was out hiking with his 4-year-old grandson along the Assabet River (here) when they were suddenly attacked from behind. The grandfather, Arthur Cole, age 76, positioned himself between the coyote and his grandson. As the coyote was biting Cole’s legs, he unsuccessfully tried to fend her off with his hands. At one point the coyote turned around and trotted away. Cole was relieved, thinking the attack was over, but he was mistaken. The coyote was just getting some running room so she could jump for his throat. Cole told me that this was her big mistake, because when she ran away his hands were freed, such that when she jumped at him he was able to grab her throat and tackle her to the ground. He landed on top of her and had her pinned under him, with her head in his arm and her tale in his other hand.
His grandson, Nicholas, came to the rescue. Cole said, “He truly was heroic. It was his idea to run for help and he had about one quarter of a mile to run.” Nicholas ran back to Cole’s home and got his father (Cole’s son, Peter). It was clear that Cole could not let go of the thrashing coyote, so Peter attempted to kill the coyote (without luck) and called 911. Cole kept the coyote pinned to the ground for nearly 30 minutes before police officers, unable to shoot the frantic animal b/c of the proximity of Cole, suffocated the animal. Lab tests revealed that the coyote was rabid. Cole suffered numerous bites and scratches requiring extensive stitches, as well as rabies vaccinations. Cole’s 4-year-old grandson will grow up a hero.
I met Art Cole on October 26, 2006, at Cedar Hill in Northborough. I had just started letterboxing, and I was sitting at the stone wall where the SVT letterbox “See-Der Pine Cones” is hidden. I was engrossed in the logbook, and I didn’t see him coming (rookie mistake). He made me jump a mile with his greeting! We chatted for quite some time, and two of the things I learned about Art that day were that 1) he was the guy who fought off the coyote, and 2) he had just stepped down as chair of the Northborough Trails Committee. He talked at length about the different trails in town, about which I was amazed. I’d lived here for 4 years and didn’t know about any of these places (except one). He even pulled out a map of some of the local trails and gave it to me. At some point during our conversation, he mentioned that the Trails Committee could always use volunteers, if I was interested (which I very much was). I couldn’t make it to the November meeting, and there is no meeting in December, but when I showed up in January, Art remembered me right away. Thus started my journey to “Board Member” of the Trails Committee and “Trail Steward” of the Cold Harbor Trail.
It’s perhaps ironic that Cole was the Chair of the Trails Committee at the time of the coyote attack, but not too far-fetched, since you would certainly expect such a person to be spending lots of time on the trails. The real irony, for me, is that Art was not only the Chair, he was the founder of the Committee. In 2001, Art went to Northborough’s Open Space Committee and asked if they’d be interested in having a Trails Committee. They enthusiastically agreed & appointed him chair. The extensive trail system we have in town now is a direct result of Art’s initiative. (Do you think the forest animals got together & figured out who was responsible, and then sent out Coyote?)
Thus the name of this trail. As Art explained it: “The trail was named for that misbegotten coyote who bit me as sort of a joke perpetrated by a humorous committee. One thing I have always liked about the committee is that we have so many good laughs at meetings.” And I couldn’t agree more—it’s a fun & hard-working group. And the evidence of this is the extensive very well-marked trail system in Northborough.
His grandson, Nicholas, came to the rescue. Cole said, “He truly was heroic. It was his idea to run for help and he had about one quarter of a mile to run.” Nicholas ran back to Cole’s home and got his father (Cole’s son, Peter). It was clear that Cole could not let go of the thrashing coyote, so Peter attempted to kill the coyote (without luck) and called 911. Cole kept the coyote pinned to the ground for nearly 30 minutes before police officers, unable to shoot the frantic animal b/c of the proximity of Cole, suffocated the animal. Lab tests revealed that the coyote was rabid. Cole suffered numerous bites and scratches requiring extensive stitches, as well as rabies vaccinations. Cole’s 4-year-old grandson will grow up a hero.
I met Art Cole on October 26, 2006, at Cedar Hill in Northborough. I had just started letterboxing, and I was sitting at the stone wall where the SVT letterbox “See-Der Pine Cones” is hidden. I was engrossed in the logbook, and I didn’t see him coming (rookie mistake). He made me jump a mile with his greeting! We chatted for quite some time, and two of the things I learned about Art that day were that 1) he was the guy who fought off the coyote, and 2) he had just stepped down as chair of the Northborough Trails Committee. He talked at length about the different trails in town, about which I was amazed. I’d lived here for 4 years and didn’t know about any of these places (except one). He even pulled out a map of some of the local trails and gave it to me. At some point during our conversation, he mentioned that the Trails Committee could always use volunteers, if I was interested (which I very much was). I couldn’t make it to the November meeting, and there is no meeting in December, but when I showed up in January, Art remembered me right away. Thus started my journey to “Board Member” of the Trails Committee and “Trail Steward” of the Cold Harbor Trail.
It’s perhaps ironic that Cole was the Chair of the Trails Committee at the time of the coyote attack, but not too far-fetched, since you would certainly expect such a person to be spending lots of time on the trails. The real irony, for me, is that Art was not only the Chair, he was the founder of the Committee. In 2001, Art went to Northborough’s Open Space Committee and asked if they’d be interested in having a Trails Committee. They enthusiastically agreed & appointed him chair. The extensive trail system we have in town now is a direct result of Art’s initiative. (Do you think the forest animals got together & figured out who was responsible, and then sent out Coyote?)
Thus the name of this trail. As Art explained it: “The trail was named for that misbegotten coyote who bit me as sort of a joke perpetrated by a humorous committee. One thing I have always liked about the committee is that we have so many good laughs at meetings.” And I couldn’t agree more—it’s a fun & hard-working group. And the evidence of this is the extensive very well-marked trail system in Northborough.
Crazy Coyote!
Yellick Conservation Land / Coyote Trail
**NOTE: Clue change (see below) as of March 23, 2008, due to extension of the Coyote Trail**
Stamp carved by The Merry Pranksters
Box planted by zess
The story behind the name "Coyote Trail"
Driving Directions
Trail map
** Bring your own ink **
Distance of hike: 0.5 miles each way out & back for a total of 1 mile
Terrain: This path cuts along the slope of a hill alongside the Assabet River. The trail is very narrow & eroded in places, and the river is directly down slope. THIS TRAIL IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN! It is also not recommended for people with ankle problems b/c of the difficulty of walking along a steep slope. Finally, it is treacherous in slippery conditions, such as lots of rain, mud, snow, or ice. Other than all that, it is a perfectly lovely hike!
Clues
Park your car and walk back toward the road (away from the river). A Northborough Trails post is on the left. At this time, the path at the trailhead is covered with poison ivy & not well maintained. (Are you really still reading after all the warnings? Good, because your rewards will be great--this is a lovely area along the river and into the marsh.) However, there is an old road/cart path just 10 steps or so from the trailhead going in the direction of the road. This is periodically mowed, and is the preferred route at this time.
Follow the grassy road to where you have a clear shot of the river, then hug the river as you walk at the back boundaries of some houses. Please be respectful of the homeowners and stay close to the path. Very quickly you will come to a bridge where you will cross the Assabet River & begin the hike eastbound along the southern slope. Be VERY careful on this hike—the path is small & eroded, and the river is directly down slope.
Follow the path along the river to a grassy area with two chairs. Nice place to sit and relax. The opening here leads to a housing complex for over 55.
CLUE CHANGE DUE TO NEW TRAIL ROUTE
Once you get to the chairs, you will turn around and head back toward the trail you just came in on. Go to the first tree at the edge of the grassy area & the trail. This tree has a Northborough trail marker on it. From this tree, walk straight along the path for approximately 25 adult steps (it was REALLY dark when I was there, so this is approximate, but you are in the right area and shouldn't have trouble finding this next part). Stop and turn left (uphill). About 50 yards up into the woods you’ll see the obvious place for a hide--a boulder with a nice horizontal split. Remove some rocks and look in from the West side. Backtrack to the trailhead & your car.
If you'd like to join a fun group of Grateful Letterboxers, click here.
As with all of our letterboxes, we encourage feedback so that letterboxers will enjoy the hunts, and not get frustrated by poorly written clues or unintended hazards.
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
**NOTE: Clue change (see below) as of March 23, 2008, due to extension of the Coyote Trail**
Stamp carved by The Merry Pranksters
Box planted by zess
The story behind the name "Coyote Trail"
Driving Directions
Trail map
** Bring your own ink **
Distance of hike: 0.5 miles each way out & back for a total of 1 mile
Terrain: This path cuts along the slope of a hill alongside the Assabet River. The trail is very narrow & eroded in places, and the river is directly down slope. THIS TRAIL IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN! It is also not recommended for people with ankle problems b/c of the difficulty of walking along a steep slope. Finally, it is treacherous in slippery conditions, such as lots of rain, mud, snow, or ice. Other than all that, it is a perfectly lovely hike!
Clues
Park your car and walk back toward the road (away from the river). A Northborough Trails post is on the left. At this time, the path at the trailhead is covered with poison ivy & not well maintained. (Are you really still reading after all the warnings? Good, because your rewards will be great--this is a lovely area along the river and into the marsh.) However, there is an old road/cart path just 10 steps or so from the trailhead going in the direction of the road. This is periodically mowed, and is the preferred route at this time.
Follow the grassy road to where you have a clear shot of the river, then hug the river as you walk at the back boundaries of some houses. Please be respectful of the homeowners and stay close to the path. Very quickly you will come to a bridge where you will cross the Assabet River & begin the hike eastbound along the southern slope. Be VERY careful on this hike—the path is small & eroded, and the river is directly down slope.
Follow the path along the river to a grassy area with two chairs. Nice place to sit and relax. The opening here leads to a housing complex for over 55.
CLUE CHANGE DUE TO NEW TRAIL ROUTE
Once you get to the chairs, you will turn around and head back toward the trail you just came in on. Go to the first tree at the edge of the grassy area & the trail. This tree has a Northborough trail marker on it. From this tree, walk straight along the path for approximately 25 adult steps (it was REALLY dark when I was there, so this is approximate, but you are in the right area and shouldn't have trouble finding this next part). Stop and turn left (uphill). About 50 yards up into the woods you’ll see the obvious place for a hide--a boulder with a nice horizontal split. Remove some rocks and look in from the West side. Backtrack to the trailhead & your car.
If you'd like to join a fun group of Grateful Letterboxers, click here.
As with all of our letterboxes, we encourage feedback so that letterboxers will enjoy the hunts, and not get frustrated by poorly written clues or unintended hazards.
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
Butterfly Girl
Stamp carved by zess
Box planted by Mim
Watson Park
Lyman Street, Northborough
Map it (nearest intersection): Bartlett Street and Lyman Street, Northborough MA
Driving directions can be found here
Trail map
As you enter, notice the butterfly garden around the rock on the left. Park at the traffic circle down by the pond.
**Bring your own ink**
Time: ~ 15 min
Terrain: Easy
Pick up the trail to the left of the boat ramp. On this trail you’ll be switching back and forth between woods and fields. You need remember only one thing-go where the red arrows and orange ties point you. Walk through the woods. Walk across a grassy clearing and enter the path at the "horse." Walk through the woods. When you come to the large open field notice the bird houses. These were put up to provide homes for bluebirds. Follow the arrow and the orange ties. Meadow. Woods. Stop at a 3-trunked tree on the right. Take 16 steps. Stop and look to your right at a pile of sticks and pine needles. Facing the pile, look under the edge of the pile on the right hand side at the base of a thin tree.
Return the way you came.
If you'd like to join a group of Grateful Letterboxers, click here.
As with all of our letterboxes, we encourage feedback so that letterboxers will enjoy the hunts, and not get frustrated by poorly written clues or unintended hazards.
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
Box planted by Mim
Watson Park
Lyman Street, Northborough
Map it (nearest intersection): Bartlett Street and Lyman Street, Northborough MA
Driving directions can be found here
Trail map
As you enter, notice the butterfly garden around the rock on the left. Park at the traffic circle down by the pond.
**Bring your own ink**
Time: ~ 15 min
Terrain: Easy
Pick up the trail to the left of the boat ramp. On this trail you’ll be switching back and forth between woods and fields. You need remember only one thing-go where the red arrows and orange ties point you. Walk through the woods. Walk across a grassy clearing and enter the path at the "horse." Walk through the woods. When you come to the large open field notice the bird houses. These were put up to provide homes for bluebirds. Follow the arrow and the orange ties. Meadow. Woods. Stop at a 3-trunked tree on the right. Take 16 steps. Stop and look to your right at a pile of sticks and pine needles. Facing the pile, look under the edge of the pile on the right hand side at the base of a thin tree.
Return the way you came.
If you'd like to join a group of Grateful Letterboxers, click here.
As with all of our letterboxes, we encourage feedback so that letterboxers will enjoy the hunts, and not get frustrated by poorly written clues or unintended hazards.
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
Mastodon
Stamp carved by Dale End Farm
Box planted by Mim
Driving directions can be found here
The Carlstrom II Forest is managed by The New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF). NEFF is dedicated to providing for the conservation and ecologically sound management of privately owned forestlands in New England, throughout the Americas and beyond.
This mission encompasses:
* Educating landowners, foresters, forest products industries, and the general public about the benefits of forest stewardship and multi-generational forestland planning.
* Permanently protecting forests through gifts and acquisitions of land for the benefit of future generations.
* Actively managing Foundation lands as demonstration and educational forests.
* Conservation, through sustainable yield forestry, of a working landscape that supports economic welfare and quality of life.
* Supporting the development and implementation of forest policy and forest practices that encourage and sustain private ownership.
NEFF is today recognized as a leader in conserving working forests, educating the public about forestry, and assisting landowners in the long-term protection and sustainable management of their properties. NEFF is “green certified” under Forest Stewardship Council guidelines. NEFF manages 128 demonstration forests, totaling more than 23,000 acres. NEFF also holds 116 conservation easements protecting 1,136,000 acres. NEFF participates in a variety of forest policy discussions and activities that affect landowners and property managers in New England.
For more info: http://www.newenglandforestry.org/
**Bring your own ink**
1 hour, hilly
Northborough's Mastodon
A rich strike in mastodon teeth took place in Northboro in 1884 when the hired hands of farmer William U. Maynard were digging a drainage ditch in a hayfield and clunked against some teeth fifteen times larger than that of a horse or cow. The teeth were pronounced to be the authentic remains of Mastodon americanus by Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology. Intensified digging revealed no more teeth, but a brown human skull eighteen feet away. Rumors of an early folktale about a murdered traveling man appeared, and the Clinton Courant asked pointed questions: "Did the man kill the mastodon, or did the mastodon kill the man? If the man first killed the beast, what destroyed the man? If the beast first killed the man, what destroyed the beast?, or was it an “affair of honor,” fatal to both biped and quadruped? Did either slip in that Northboro pasture, fall, strike a Northboro boulder and break his neck in an attempt to annihilate his adversary—and if so, who and which?” Harvard ruled that the skull was that of an Indian female, not long in the peat and of no association with the mastodon.
Clues
Finding the trail head is the trickiest part of this hunt. The trail head is on the North side of Main Street in Northborough, about 0.4 miles west of Davis Rd, Northborough and about 0.5 miles east of Spring Street in Shrewsbury. There is a large kiosk- looking sign there, set at the tree line, that says "New England Forestry Foundation Carlstrom II Forest." There is no obvious parking area. Pull up onto the grass in front of the sign.
Facing the sign, the trail entrance is about 25 steps to the left. You’ll be following the blue dots on the Jubilee Trail. This trail loops through a diverse hardwood forest that is characteristic of central New England. Some trees, representative of different varieties, have been identified. Go left up the hill to start the loop. (Black Oak) Cross the dirt road and reenter the woods at the blue dot. (Pignut Hickory) Eventually a stone wall will come up on your left which you will parallel for a while until the path veers to the right. You’ll cross a log bridge and climb up a rocky path, and continue going gradually up (White Oak), up ( Black Birch), up. At a level spot there will be a large rock outcropping on the right. Continue going up and further, on the right, you’ll see a glacial erratic, a 3-4 foot rounded boulder, sitting on some vertically striated rock.
Now start to go down hill. Enjoy walking down hill while you can. After a while spy a red barn to the left, over the stone wall and through the trees. Further on there will be a weathered lean-to on the left. Cross the road, reentering the woods at the blue dot. In a while you’ll be walking along a ledge with its drop-off to your left. Start walking back up hill, still along the ledge. Pass the rock in the path that has 2 blue dots painted on it. When you come to the second blue dot on a tree, pull out your compass and look north. See the 3-trunked oak tree with the nice rectangular rock at its base? Look on the far side where the tree meets the rock. Enjoy a seat as you stamp in. Please make sure to tuck the box in well with leaves when you’re done.
Continue on the trail in the direction you were going, following the blue dots, (Sugar Maple) to finish the loop and return to your car.
If you'd like to join a fun group of Grateful Letterboxers, click here.
As with all of our letterboxes, we encourage feedback so that letterboxers will enjoy the hunts, and not get frustrated by poorly written clues or unintended hazards.
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
Box planted by Mim
Driving directions can be found here
The Carlstrom II Forest is managed by The New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF). NEFF is dedicated to providing for the conservation and ecologically sound management of privately owned forestlands in New England, throughout the Americas and beyond.
This mission encompasses:
* Educating landowners, foresters, forest products industries, and the general public about the benefits of forest stewardship and multi-generational forestland planning.
* Permanently protecting forests through gifts and acquisitions of land for the benefit of future generations.
* Actively managing Foundation lands as demonstration and educational forests.
* Conservation, through sustainable yield forestry, of a working landscape that supports economic welfare and quality of life.
* Supporting the development and implementation of forest policy and forest practices that encourage and sustain private ownership.
NEFF is today recognized as a leader in conserving working forests, educating the public about forestry, and assisting landowners in the long-term protection and sustainable management of their properties. NEFF is “green certified” under Forest Stewardship Council guidelines. NEFF manages 128 demonstration forests, totaling more than 23,000 acres. NEFF also holds 116 conservation easements protecting 1,136,000 acres. NEFF participates in a variety of forest policy discussions and activities that affect landowners and property managers in New England.
For more info: http://www.newenglandforestry.org/
**Bring your own ink**
1 hour, hilly
Northborough's Mastodon
A rich strike in mastodon teeth took place in Northboro in 1884 when the hired hands of farmer William U. Maynard were digging a drainage ditch in a hayfield and clunked against some teeth fifteen times larger than that of a horse or cow. The teeth were pronounced to be the authentic remains of Mastodon americanus by Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology. Intensified digging revealed no more teeth, but a brown human skull eighteen feet away. Rumors of an early folktale about a murdered traveling man appeared, and the Clinton Courant asked pointed questions: "Did the man kill the mastodon, or did the mastodon kill the man? If the man first killed the beast, what destroyed the man? If the beast first killed the man, what destroyed the beast?, or was it an “affair of honor,” fatal to both biped and quadruped? Did either slip in that Northboro pasture, fall, strike a Northboro boulder and break his neck in an attempt to annihilate his adversary—and if so, who and which?” Harvard ruled that the skull was that of an Indian female, not long in the peat and of no association with the mastodon.
Clues
Finding the trail head is the trickiest part of this hunt. The trail head is on the North side of Main Street in Northborough, about 0.4 miles west of Davis Rd, Northborough and about 0.5 miles east of Spring Street in Shrewsbury. There is a large kiosk- looking sign there, set at the tree line, that says "New England Forestry Foundation Carlstrom II Forest." There is no obvious parking area. Pull up onto the grass in front of the sign.
Facing the sign, the trail entrance is about 25 steps to the left. You’ll be following the blue dots on the Jubilee Trail. This trail loops through a diverse hardwood forest that is characteristic of central New England. Some trees, representative of different varieties, have been identified. Go left up the hill to start the loop. (Black Oak) Cross the dirt road and reenter the woods at the blue dot. (Pignut Hickory) Eventually a stone wall will come up on your left which you will parallel for a while until the path veers to the right. You’ll cross a log bridge and climb up a rocky path, and continue going gradually up (White Oak), up ( Black Birch), up. At a level spot there will be a large rock outcropping on the right. Continue going up and further, on the right, you’ll see a glacial erratic, a 3-4 foot rounded boulder, sitting on some vertically striated rock.
Now start to go down hill. Enjoy walking down hill while you can. After a while spy a red barn to the left, over the stone wall and through the trees. Further on there will be a weathered lean-to on the left. Cross the road, reentering the woods at the blue dot. In a while you’ll be walking along a ledge with its drop-off to your left. Start walking back up hill, still along the ledge. Pass the rock in the path that has 2 blue dots painted on it. When you come to the second blue dot on a tree, pull out your compass and look north. See the 3-trunked oak tree with the nice rectangular rock at its base? Look on the far side where the tree meets the rock. Enjoy a seat as you stamp in. Please make sure to tuck the box in well with leaves when you’re done.
Continue on the trail in the direction you were going, following the blue dots, (Sugar Maple) to finish the loop and return to your car.
If you'd like to join a fun group of Grateful Letterboxers, click here.
As with all of our letterboxes, we encourage feedback so that letterboxers will enjoy the hunts, and not get frustrated by poorly written clues or unintended hazards.
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
Northborough Trails Letterboxing Quest: Puzzle Pieces
Stamps carved and boxes planted by zess
Driving directions to all trails are here
***Bring your own ink; marker(s) recommended!***
Carney Park/Cold Harbor Trail
Start on path by kiosk. When path turns left and is gravel and you can see the huge boulder & dam ahead, there is a small many-trunked tree a step off the trail on the right. In the middle of all these trunks, under lots of debris to hide it, is the box. (There used to be a large tree stump it hid behind, but the stump has stumbled several feet down slope.)
** LBs on trail: Winter Dawn, Northborough Trails Quest: Map
Cold Harbor Extension
With the trailmap box on your left, face the trail. Note the long rock on the rock wall in front of you. Note the rock to it’s left—look under it, hidden in birch bark. YOU DO NOT NEED TO MOVE ANY ROCKS FROM THE WALL!
** LBs on trail: Cold Harbor Cattails
Carstrom Forest/Jubilee Trail
Enter the forest at the beginning of the trail (several yards west of the signboard) and take the path to the right. Pass the blue dot pole tree on the right, and stop at the next blue dot pole tree—this one on the left. Stop here and turn 90 degrees or so such that you are facing uphill. **Amended clue: Sight the largest tree at the top that is in your straight-on view. To the right of this tree is an interesting old stump with cool features. Go further along the trail and then climb to the top and head back toward that sighted tree. You'll run into that stump along the way. The box lies inside. Please be sure to cover well with bark, sticks, and/or leaves. Look at it from all angles to be sure it is concealed.
** LBs on trail: Mastodon
Cedar Hill
Clues start at the signboard.
Go straight past the signboard and follow the trail across the railroad tracks (careful here—they are active tracks), past the red gate, past the cedars, through the meadow, over the boardwalk, and to the bridge. Take two steps off the bridge. Find the 3-4 foot high tree stump approximately 20 feet into the woods. In that stump, near the top, back & left. BE CAUTIOUS OF POISON IVY HERE. It is not a big patch, and there is none on the stump, but step carefully as you approach the hide.
** LBs on trail: See-Der Pine Cones; SVT Letterboxing Challenge 2007: Crane Swamp Region – Cedar Hill and Sawink Farm
Edmund Hill Woods
Updated clue 3/30/12: Proceed down the path to station #4, which is by a large fallen tree. Walk along the fallen tree toward the top end where it is hugging another tree. Look right (west) for a 2-trunk tree approximately 15 steps off the trail. The box is hidden in the crook between the two trunks.
** LBs on trail: Save the Earth; High School Musical
Little Chauncy/Talbot Trails/Cole Trail
With the mapbox on your right, spot the railroad-tie-looking old fence post a few steps ahead of you (this is now lying on the ground alongside the trail). The box is in the end of this post, covered with leaves/wood. PLEASE cover it really super-well with leaves and bark before laying the top piece of wood over it.
** LBs on trail: Go, Dog. Go!; The Wild
Mt. Pisgah
Start to the right on the Loop Trail. At the fork, stay straight and pass through the pine saplings. Pass the two tall pines side-by-side on the left. Sixteen steps after those pines are another pair of pines, about 3 feet apart from each other, on the left. (NOTE: It seems the rest of the clues are not very good--folks are having trouble finding the box--so I've written a second (hopefully better) set of clues, which follow.)
With your left shoulder next to the pine (of the second pair, you know, three feet apart from each other) closest to the trail, take 14 steps along the path in the same direction you have been traveling. You should be standing just before a new stand of pine saplings starts. Turn to the left, and take 10 steps off the path. As you are taking these ten steps, you will have the line of three trees (oak-pine-oak) on your right side. You will now be standing at that small (very narrow circumference) dead tree with no head, that is growing out of rocks. One of those rocks forms a ledge, and the Mt. Pisgah box lies under that ledge, hidden by a loose rock and sticks.
** LBs on trail: Grateful Letterbox: Uncle Sam; Frog Went A Jumpin'; Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?; Up, Up, and Away
Watson Park
Drive past the boat ramp and park by the picnic table with a large rock behind it. Enter the trail, keeping the pond on your right. Pass the sawhorse with the white rectangular tube sticking out of the ground. At the fork, stay left toward the open field. Just before entering the field, on the right is a many-trunked (~12) tree. At the base of this tree, pond-side, under leaves is the box.
** LBs on trail: Butterfly Girl; Just Ducky
Yellick Conservation Area/Coyote Trail
Park in the middle of the parking lot facing the large boulders and looking out over the field. Look for deer at the far side of the field—I’ve had several sightings. The largest flat boulder, which looks ideal for stamping in, hides the Coyote letterbox under the back side.
** LBs on trail: Crazy Coyote
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
--
"..... Grateful to be letterboxing ....."
http://groups.google.com/group/the-grateful-letterboxers?hl=en
Driving directions to all trails are here
***Bring your own ink; marker(s) recommended!***
Carney Park/Cold Harbor Trail
Start on path by kiosk. When path turns left and is gravel and you can see the huge boulder & dam ahead, there is a small many-trunked tree a step off the trail on the right. In the middle of all these trunks, under lots of debris to hide it, is the box. (There used to be a large tree stump it hid behind, but the stump has stumbled several feet down slope.)
** LBs on trail: Winter Dawn, Northborough Trails Quest: Map
Cold Harbor Extension
With the trailmap box on your left, face the trail. Note the long rock on the rock wall in front of you. Note the rock to it’s left—look under it, hidden in birch bark. YOU DO NOT NEED TO MOVE ANY ROCKS FROM THE WALL!
** LBs on trail: Cold Harbor Cattails
Carstrom Forest/Jubilee Trail
Enter the forest at the beginning of the trail (several yards west of the signboard) and take the path to the right. Pass the blue dot pole tree on the right, and stop at the next blue dot pole tree—this one on the left. Stop here and turn 90 degrees or so such that you are facing uphill. **Amended clue: Sight the largest tree at the top that is in your straight-on view. To the right of this tree is an interesting old stump with cool features. Go further along the trail and then climb to the top and head back toward that sighted tree. You'll run into that stump along the way. The box lies inside. Please be sure to cover well with bark, sticks, and/or leaves. Look at it from all angles to be sure it is concealed.
** LBs on trail: Mastodon
Cedar Hill
Clues start at the signboard.
Go straight past the signboard and follow the trail across the railroad tracks (careful here—they are active tracks), past the red gate, past the cedars, through the meadow, over the boardwalk, and to the bridge. Take two steps off the bridge. Find the 3-4 foot high tree stump approximately 20 feet into the woods. In that stump, near the top, back & left. BE CAUTIOUS OF POISON IVY HERE. It is not a big patch, and there is none on the stump, but step carefully as you approach the hide.
** LBs on trail: See-Der Pine Cones; SVT Letterboxing Challenge 2007: Crane Swamp Region – Cedar Hill and Sawink Farm
Edmund Hill Woods
Updated clue 3/30/12: Proceed down the path to station #4, which is by a large fallen tree. Walk along the fallen tree toward the top end where it is hugging another tree. Look right (west) for a 2-trunk tree approximately 15 steps off the trail. The box is hidden in the crook between the two trunks.
** LBs on trail: Save the Earth; High School Musical
Little Chauncy/Talbot Trails/Cole Trail
With the mapbox on your right, spot the railroad-tie-looking old fence post a few steps ahead of you (this is now lying on the ground alongside the trail). The box is in the end of this post, covered with leaves/wood. PLEASE cover it really super-well with leaves and bark before laying the top piece of wood over it.
** LBs on trail: Go, Dog. Go!; The Wild
Mt. Pisgah
Start to the right on the Loop Trail. At the fork, stay straight and pass through the pine saplings. Pass the two tall pines side-by-side on the left. Sixteen steps after those pines are another pair of pines, about 3 feet apart from each other, on the left. (NOTE: It seems the rest of the clues are not very good--folks are having trouble finding the box--so I've written a second (hopefully better) set of clues, which follow.)
With your left shoulder next to the pine (of the second pair, you know, three feet apart from each other) closest to the trail, take 14 steps along the path in the same direction you have been traveling. You should be standing just before a new stand of pine saplings starts. Turn to the left, and take 10 steps off the path. As you are taking these ten steps, you will have the line of three trees (oak-pine-oak) on your right side. You will now be standing at that small (very narrow circumference) dead tree with no head, that is growing out of rocks. One of those rocks forms a ledge, and the Mt. Pisgah box lies under that ledge, hidden by a loose rock and sticks.
** LBs on trail: Grateful Letterbox: Uncle Sam; Frog Went A Jumpin'; Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?; Up, Up, and Away
Watson Park
Drive past the boat ramp and park by the picnic table with a large rock behind it. Enter the trail, keeping the pond on your right. Pass the sawhorse with the white rectangular tube sticking out of the ground. At the fork, stay left toward the open field. Just before entering the field, on the right is a many-trunked (~12) tree. At the base of this tree, pond-side, under leaves is the box.
** LBs on trail: Butterfly Girl; Just Ducky
Yellick Conservation Area/Coyote Trail
Park in the middle of the parking lot facing the large boulders and looking out over the field. Look for deer at the far side of the field—I’ve had several sightings. The largest flat boulder, which looks ideal for stamping in, hides the Coyote letterbox under the back side.
** LBs on trail: Crazy Coyote
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
--
"..... Grateful to be letterboxing ....."
http://groups.google.com/group/the-grateful-letterboxers?hl=en
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