The Three Musketeers Series LbNA #21906
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Nearby Boxes
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Add Location| Owner: | N/A |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Apr 29, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Degrasse |
| County: | St. Lawrence |
| State: | New York |
| Boxes: | 4 |
| Planted by: | Wyvern
  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | The Gearheadz (4) |
| Last found: | Nov 13, 2011 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Apr 29, 2006 |
One of my favorite books is “The Three Musketeers” by Alexander Dumas. It has action, intrigue, humor, and wonderful plot twists. There are four letterboxes in this series, each stands as its own entity with logbook and ink. Bring your own pen/pencil. Alas, the fourth box can only be found by finding the Three Musketeers.
UPDATE 9/10/09: ARAMIS' CROSS IS NOW REPLACED IN NEW SPOT. (EXACT SAME BOX!) PORTHOS PISTOLES HAS BRAND NEW CONTAINER IN SAME SPOT. THE CLUE TO FIND THE LAST BOX, "ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL", IS ALSO NOW POSTED. THERE ARE NO CLUES IN THE THREE PREVIOUS BOXES TO ASSIST IN YOUR FINDING OF THE LAST ONE.
Just a note of caution or word to the wise:
1. I do not recommend this series for children or inexperienced letterboxers. Certainly all are welcome but these boxes are placed in an area that does not have well marked trails, steep terrain in places, and in the case of two boxes, pricker bushes. And I mean, 4 foot high berry bushes that have overgrown the trail.
2. All directions are from the Degrasse end (northern end) of the Tooley Pond Rd. This road does connect at the other end to Route #3 near Cranberry Lake, NY. If you come that way, make note that the directions may be slightly different.
3. I recommend good sturdy hiking shoes/boots for the steep terrain and a walking stick not only for balance but for defense against the bushes. I would not attempt this series without long pants…the prickers will eat you alive. (And the bugs, too, in the summer.)
4. I recommend this series in the spring and autumn when the bushes are low, the bugs are less, and the waterfalls can be enjoyed without obstruction.
All that being said, this series has beautifully carved stamps by jackbear, imaginative clues (I hope), and lovely scenery (some of which you don’t even have to leave your car to see in the spring and autumn).
So imagine that you are walking on an old French road perhaps to a friend’s house or to a nearby market or inn. You see two horsemen approaching at speed. They are flying like the gates of hell had opened behind them. But the younger lad pulls up beside you and gallantly removes his hat.
“Pardon, my friends, perhaps you could help me? My name is D’artagnan and…yes, I am from Gascony. Why, what a coincidence! Well, then, seeing that we are countrymen, you could help me with a very important task. You see, I passed through this country about a week ago on my way to Calais…no, actually it wasn’t a good trip. I was delivering a letter for the Queen and…no, I haven’t met her but I do know her dressmaker. Anyway, I set out with three friends and we agreed that if any of us should be delayed, the others would go on to see the letter to the Duke of…oh, well, to its destination.
What? Yes, my friends are musketeers. No, I’m just a Guard but I hope to be a King’s Musketeer someday. But that’s what I’d like you to do for me. Do you think you could track them down and tell them I’m back in France? Tell them I’m on my way to Paris to see the Queen with the…um…package. Let them know I’m all right but they need to be wary. The road is full of the Cardinal’s guards and he has spies everywhere.
I assure you that you will be rewarded for helping me in such dire circumstance. Listen close to each of my friends and your reward will be close at hand. I must ride. Farewell and adieu.”
You might try Porthos first. He was delayed by a foolish duel at our first stop. Just had to toast the King and not the Cardinal. Don’t be afraid of him and don’t, under any circumstances, gamble with him. He’s a terrible loser.
PORTHOS’ PISTOLES
Alas, all of my friends were delayed by the intrigues of the Cardinal’s guards and all along the same cursed stretch of road. It’s just off of County Route 27 in the town of Degrasse in St. Lawrence County, New York. You turn off of CR #27 onto the Tooley Pond Road. You’ll truly enjoy the scenery my friend. Once you pass the private property, you’ll see a brown sign indicating that you have entered the Tooley Pond tract. About a mile and a half up the road, you’ll find a hitching area with an information kiosk. It’ll come in very handy, my friend, if you don’t have a map with you. Anyway, leave your iron steed here. You may have noticed the waterfall from the road. This is Sinclair Falls and you’ll want to take a closer look. Now you have a choice and if you are truly like Porthos, you’ll simply flip a coin for it.
UNMARKED PATH: Look for a dirt path somewhat to the right of the kiosk. Be careful as you descend down the STEEP hill. Once at the bottom, rock hop to catch the path around the rocky ridge. It should take you around to the right. Follow that path toward the river and when you come to a choice, go right. The path is not marked and may peter out here and there but if you come to a spot with a V-trunked tree on your left and a very large moss-covered rock on your right you can stop for a minute. The large rock should have an uprooted tree behind it. If you look through the V of the tree you may be able to see where Porthos is. Look for a three trunked white birch tree. Well, good God, man, you can’t miss it! It’s the only white birch tree out there. Well, just keep walking downstream and eventually you’ll run into it. Just watch the muddy spots. I mean, boot sucking mud! Once you make your way to the birch tree, Porthos will no doubt be waiting for you among its roots.
BUSHWHACK: Walk back up the road to the road sign. From the sign, go 20 paces more then enter the woods on the left. IT'S CLOSE TO A DEAD TALL STUMP STRIPPED OF BARK. You will go over a downed tree with hardly any bark left on it. Bushwhack downhill veering slightly right. THERE ARE DEER TRAILS BACK IN HERE THAT CAN AID YOU DOWNHILL. Scan closer to the water for a three trunked white birch tree. It’s the only one out there, you can’t miss it! Among it’s roots, you’ll find Porthos waiting on you.
ATHOS’ ALE
Now, you mustn’t forget dear Athos. My true and loyal friend; he is very much a gentleman. Alas, we parted ways when our good host accused him of passing false coin. Sang dieu! What a terrible mistake! Athos will be on the road to meet me in an instant but do not buy him any wine or other such spirits. He’ll drink you under the table before you’ll be able to give him my message!
You can continue up the Tooley Pond Rd another 4 or 5 miles. You can pass by Twin Falls on the way. Aramis used to reside here but the POSTED signs of the Cardinal now keep him away. You will go by a large curve in the road that looks back on itself and past the Twins Falls Club. The clearing will appear quickly after a curve. It is a large field blocked by about 5 large boulders. There may even be a sign indicating the beginning of the area for Rainbow Falls. You will have to pull off the side of the road and let your horse wait for you here. As you pass the boulders, you will see a trail begin ahead of you. Head for the yellow “No Motor Vehicles” sign. You can follow this trail back toward the river.
When you’ve walked for about 5 minutes, you’ll see where the woodland seems to clear out on your right. On the far side of that small clearing, you should be able to see a large rock with a tree growing out of it’s top. Head for that rock. Along the path, you can access it quickly from between two large trees just before the hill down to the river. You do not need to go down the hill for the box. Beside the rock, you’ll find a dead two-trunked tree. Look at the base of this tree under some bark for Athos.
ARAMIS' CROSS:
Then, you might try Aramis. I hope you find him well as he took a musket ball in the shoulder. We had to leave him on a kind man’s doorstep. Give him my message but don’t start up a conversation about religion. Aramis will expound for hours especially if he hasn’t heard from his mistress. When love abandons him, he always turns to being an abbé.
REPLANTED: Aramis can now be found at Rainbow Falls. Since Athos was not within view of the waterfall, I decided to place Aramis in a spot where you would be treated by the view.
Follow the trail downhill after replacing Athos. Cross the bridge. Follow the trail but don't take any of the side trails to the left. These will take you to where you can see the waterfall and river but the box is not along that edge. If you go for a "look see", please BE CAREFUL. The drop is very steep and the rocks may be slippery due to waterfall spray. Keep your children close.
The main trail is very rooty so watch your step. You will come up a split boulder on your right just before a downhill turn. The little boulder might have been part of the other but it's hard to tell now. There's about 6 inches of space between them. Pass the little one over and walk to the outer side of the large boulder. Back along it's "corner" is a deep hole. In there Aramis awaits you.
Please cover this box well as this is a very busy place!
If you want the photo op, go down just a bit after Aramis and step out onto a ledge. You get a fantastic view of the whole waterfall!
ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL
From Aramis' Cross, you need to go back the way you came along Tooley Pond Rd. You will drive past all the waterfalls you have already seen. Keep a keen eye to the left of the road once you pass Sinclair Falls where you discovered Porthos and look for two red gate posts with a large boulder between them. This is the trail to Basford Falls and you may park on the side of the road. A sign on a nearby tree declares the correct spot!
Follow the trail back to the river. This trail is not marked but very apparent. You will go over several hills and through many thorns, pricker bushes, berry bushes…ah, I cringe at meeting you there. But once the woods turns over to mostly pine, you’ll see (and hear) the waterfall. Carefully descend the last steep hill and pause a moment at the bottom.
Cross the brook by way of the 1st stepping stone and go to the top of the falls. It’s almost straight ahead. Look for a triangular rock that would make a good spot for a picture. Follow the river upstream (to the left) from here. You should be able to see a huge fallen pine tree and its stump from here. Make your way to it. It might be muddy and overgrown but once you get there look in the broken end of the pine to find the box. Remember to rehide it well as kids and geocachers have both found this box by accident. Cover the box with as much pine debris as possible. Thanks!
UPDATE 9/10/09: ARAMIS' CROSS IS NOW REPLACED IN NEW SPOT. (EXACT SAME BOX!) PORTHOS PISTOLES HAS BRAND NEW CONTAINER IN SAME SPOT. THE CLUE TO FIND THE LAST BOX, "ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL", IS ALSO NOW POSTED. THERE ARE NO CLUES IN THE THREE PREVIOUS BOXES TO ASSIST IN YOUR FINDING OF THE LAST ONE.
Just a note of caution or word to the wise:
1. I do not recommend this series for children or inexperienced letterboxers. Certainly all are welcome but these boxes are placed in an area that does not have well marked trails, steep terrain in places, and in the case of two boxes, pricker bushes. And I mean, 4 foot high berry bushes that have overgrown the trail.
2. All directions are from the Degrasse end (northern end) of the Tooley Pond Rd. This road does connect at the other end to Route #3 near Cranberry Lake, NY. If you come that way, make note that the directions may be slightly different.
3. I recommend good sturdy hiking shoes/boots for the steep terrain and a walking stick not only for balance but for defense against the bushes. I would not attempt this series without long pants…the prickers will eat you alive. (And the bugs, too, in the summer.)
4. I recommend this series in the spring and autumn when the bushes are low, the bugs are less, and the waterfalls can be enjoyed without obstruction.
All that being said, this series has beautifully carved stamps by jackbear, imaginative clues (I hope), and lovely scenery (some of which you don’t even have to leave your car to see in the spring and autumn).
So imagine that you are walking on an old French road perhaps to a friend’s house or to a nearby market or inn. You see two horsemen approaching at speed. They are flying like the gates of hell had opened behind them. But the younger lad pulls up beside you and gallantly removes his hat.
“Pardon, my friends, perhaps you could help me? My name is D’artagnan and…yes, I am from Gascony. Why, what a coincidence! Well, then, seeing that we are countrymen, you could help me with a very important task. You see, I passed through this country about a week ago on my way to Calais…no, actually it wasn’t a good trip. I was delivering a letter for the Queen and…no, I haven’t met her but I do know her dressmaker. Anyway, I set out with three friends and we agreed that if any of us should be delayed, the others would go on to see the letter to the Duke of…oh, well, to its destination.
What? Yes, my friends are musketeers. No, I’m just a Guard but I hope to be a King’s Musketeer someday. But that’s what I’d like you to do for me. Do you think you could track them down and tell them I’m back in France? Tell them I’m on my way to Paris to see the Queen with the…um…package. Let them know I’m all right but they need to be wary. The road is full of the Cardinal’s guards and he has spies everywhere.
I assure you that you will be rewarded for helping me in such dire circumstance. Listen close to each of my friends and your reward will be close at hand. I must ride. Farewell and adieu.”
You might try Porthos first. He was delayed by a foolish duel at our first stop. Just had to toast the King and not the Cardinal. Don’t be afraid of him and don’t, under any circumstances, gamble with him. He’s a terrible loser.
PORTHOS’ PISTOLES
Alas, all of my friends were delayed by the intrigues of the Cardinal’s guards and all along the same cursed stretch of road. It’s just off of County Route 27 in the town of Degrasse in St. Lawrence County, New York. You turn off of CR #27 onto the Tooley Pond Road. You’ll truly enjoy the scenery my friend. Once you pass the private property, you’ll see a brown sign indicating that you have entered the Tooley Pond tract. About a mile and a half up the road, you’ll find a hitching area with an information kiosk. It’ll come in very handy, my friend, if you don’t have a map with you. Anyway, leave your iron steed here. You may have noticed the waterfall from the road. This is Sinclair Falls and you’ll want to take a closer look. Now you have a choice and if you are truly like Porthos, you’ll simply flip a coin for it.
UNMARKED PATH: Look for a dirt path somewhat to the right of the kiosk. Be careful as you descend down the STEEP hill. Once at the bottom, rock hop to catch the path around the rocky ridge. It should take you around to the right. Follow that path toward the river and when you come to a choice, go right. The path is not marked and may peter out here and there but if you come to a spot with a V-trunked tree on your left and a very large moss-covered rock on your right you can stop for a minute. The large rock should have an uprooted tree behind it. If you look through the V of the tree you may be able to see where Porthos is. Look for a three trunked white birch tree. Well, good God, man, you can’t miss it! It’s the only white birch tree out there. Well, just keep walking downstream and eventually you’ll run into it. Just watch the muddy spots. I mean, boot sucking mud! Once you make your way to the birch tree, Porthos will no doubt be waiting for you among its roots.
BUSHWHACK: Walk back up the road to the road sign. From the sign, go 20 paces more then enter the woods on the left. IT'S CLOSE TO A DEAD TALL STUMP STRIPPED OF BARK. You will go over a downed tree with hardly any bark left on it. Bushwhack downhill veering slightly right. THERE ARE DEER TRAILS BACK IN HERE THAT CAN AID YOU DOWNHILL. Scan closer to the water for a three trunked white birch tree. It’s the only one out there, you can’t miss it! Among it’s roots, you’ll find Porthos waiting on you.
ATHOS’ ALE
Now, you mustn’t forget dear Athos. My true and loyal friend; he is very much a gentleman. Alas, we parted ways when our good host accused him of passing false coin. Sang dieu! What a terrible mistake! Athos will be on the road to meet me in an instant but do not buy him any wine or other such spirits. He’ll drink you under the table before you’ll be able to give him my message!
You can continue up the Tooley Pond Rd another 4 or 5 miles. You can pass by Twin Falls on the way. Aramis used to reside here but the POSTED signs of the Cardinal now keep him away. You will go by a large curve in the road that looks back on itself and past the Twins Falls Club. The clearing will appear quickly after a curve. It is a large field blocked by about 5 large boulders. There may even be a sign indicating the beginning of the area for Rainbow Falls. You will have to pull off the side of the road and let your horse wait for you here. As you pass the boulders, you will see a trail begin ahead of you. Head for the yellow “No Motor Vehicles” sign. You can follow this trail back toward the river.
When you’ve walked for about 5 minutes, you’ll see where the woodland seems to clear out on your right. On the far side of that small clearing, you should be able to see a large rock with a tree growing out of it’s top. Head for that rock. Along the path, you can access it quickly from between two large trees just before the hill down to the river. You do not need to go down the hill for the box. Beside the rock, you’ll find a dead two-trunked tree. Look at the base of this tree under some bark for Athos.
ARAMIS' CROSS:
Then, you might try Aramis. I hope you find him well as he took a musket ball in the shoulder. We had to leave him on a kind man’s doorstep. Give him my message but don’t start up a conversation about religion. Aramis will expound for hours especially if he hasn’t heard from his mistress. When love abandons him, he always turns to being an abbé.
REPLANTED: Aramis can now be found at Rainbow Falls. Since Athos was not within view of the waterfall, I decided to place Aramis in a spot where you would be treated by the view.
Follow the trail downhill after replacing Athos. Cross the bridge. Follow the trail but don't take any of the side trails to the left. These will take you to where you can see the waterfall and river but the box is not along that edge. If you go for a "look see", please BE CAREFUL. The drop is very steep and the rocks may be slippery due to waterfall spray. Keep your children close.
The main trail is very rooty so watch your step. You will come up a split boulder on your right just before a downhill turn. The little boulder might have been part of the other but it's hard to tell now. There's about 6 inches of space between them. Pass the little one over and walk to the outer side of the large boulder. Back along it's "corner" is a deep hole. In there Aramis awaits you.
Please cover this box well as this is a very busy place!
If you want the photo op, go down just a bit after Aramis and step out onto a ledge. You get a fantastic view of the whole waterfall!
ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL
From Aramis' Cross, you need to go back the way you came along Tooley Pond Rd. You will drive past all the waterfalls you have already seen. Keep a keen eye to the left of the road once you pass Sinclair Falls where you discovered Porthos and look for two red gate posts with a large boulder between them. This is the trail to Basford Falls and you may park on the side of the road. A sign on a nearby tree declares the correct spot!
Follow the trail back to the river. This trail is not marked but very apparent. You will go over several hills and through many thorns, pricker bushes, berry bushes…ah, I cringe at meeting you there. But once the woods turns over to mostly pine, you’ll see (and hear) the waterfall. Carefully descend the last steep hill and pause a moment at the bottom.
Cross the brook by way of the 1st stepping stone and go to the top of the falls. It’s almost straight ahead. Look for a triangular rock that would make a good spot for a picture. Follow the river upstream (to the left) from here. You should be able to see a huge fallen pine tree and its stump from here. Make your way to it. It might be muddy and overgrown but once you get there look in the broken end of the pine to find the box. Remember to rehide it well as kids and geocachers have both found this box by accident. Cover the box with as much pine debris as possible. Thanks!