Mixed Nuts LbNA #1204
Map
Nearby Boxes
Add Note
Add Location| Owner: | Trailhead Tessie  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Apr 27, 2003 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Easton |
| County: | Fairfield |
| State: | Connecticut |
| Boxes: | 4 |
| Found by: | Team Rogue (3) |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Feb 25, 2023 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFOFFaFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Oct 9, 2018 |
The Mixed Nuts Letterboxes
(Easton, Connecticut)
***PLANTED AND CARVED BY THE HARDY HIKERS 2003***
Adopted in January 2010 by Trailhead Tessie
Where: Paine Open Space
Number of boxes: 5
Distance: 3-4 miles
Time: about 2-3 hours at an easy pace
Terrain: Easy
Clues: Easy
Located in the Paine Open Space. Use #220 Maple Road for online directions or gps. Be sure to download a map from the Aspetuck Land Trust http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/maps/ALT-001-map_paine.pdf. You will need to register to view the map.
Paine Open Space adjoins multiple preserves maintained by The Aspetuck Land Trust including Pond View, Island Pond, and Nash. The Aspetuck Land Trust is a non-profit Connecticut Corporation devoted to preserving open space and the natural resources of Easton, Fairfield, Weston and Westport for the benefit of the public.
These trails are well-cleared and in some cases 20 feet wide. Unfortunately, as of 2010, the trails are not well marked or keyed into the map with the use of colored blazes. There are a lot of trails in a small area, so you are going to need to refer to your map and use your general sense of direction to find your way. The trails have been assigned names on the maps, and there are a few signs on the trails with those names, but there are no consistent markings. Where marked, there are plastic arrows that look prone to removal, so don't count on them.
ALMOND
You will start by taking the upper Pond View loop, shown in green on the map. From the parking lot take the trail across the field to the northwest. Very quickly on the left is the Pond view trail (sign says "To Pond View Trail"), a trail that may be marked with white and black arrows. After turning left you immediately pass the unmarked "Evergreen Trail" on the right and another unmarked pond loop trail on the left, but you go straight for now.
Continue westerly past a pond on your left, enjoying “Pond View”. The trail falls and rises again, coming up to a stonewall on the left. Upon leaving woods, as you begin to enter a field, you will see twin cedars. Ahead on the left along the wall stand five brothers, next to three sisters. The almond letterbox is placed behind the brothers in front of the stonewall behind a big slab of rock. DO NOT DAMAGE
THE STONE WALL, it is not necessary.
PEANUT -***Box found empty in 2018***
You will now find your way to Island Pond. From the almond letterbox, continue on the trail to complete the Pond View loop. Very quickly is the unmarked "Evergreen Trail" on the left (formerly marked in yellow). Follow this trail north to Sevens Pond Trail, a major intersection immediately after a small pond on the left. In 2010 there were yellow arrows straight ahead and white arrows to the left on Seven Ponds Trail. Take the left.
Continue on this old road, passing a series of ponds that increase in size until you get to the largest, Island Pond. A short detour to the left and you will find a bridge from the main land to the tiny island. Standing on the first step of the bridge, look past the rhododendron, past the tall oak tree, and see the apex rock at about 330 degrees. Go up there. Turn around and look back...does the oak block your view of the bridge? Good. The Peanut letterbox is located at the base of the apex. **Update, box found empty**
Please be respectful of these trails, be discrete when finding your box and replace them where you found them covering them well so others may enjoy the hunt.
ACORN
I have removed the clues to the acorn box, although the box may still be there. I have not been able to find it and it looks like people were damaging a stone wall looking for it. If anyone found this box previously and can help me find and relocate it, please drop me a line (Trailhead Tessie).
WALNUT
You now need to make your way to Oak Hill Trail, which is on the east side of the park. From the Peanut letterbox continue on Sevens Pond Trail until you see a major trail/road on the left taking you around the back side of the pond. This road is not shown on the map. Follow it. Turn neither left (see the utility pole labeled 2800?) nor right, but go straight on the gravel road. It will become "Apple Tree Crossing" on your map, ending at Sevens Pond Trail. Turn right onto the road and then take a sharp left onto Oak Hill Trail and start up the hill. In 2010 it was marked by a very old sign on a tree.
Pass a couple of stone walls and the trail will begin to circle east past a stonewall with an opening in it. What better place to put a walnut than in a wall. Look to the left of the opening for the Walnut letterbox, up high, behind a stick. PLEASE DO NOT MOVE ANY ROCK. Rehide this one very carefully, wedged up high under the capstone, so people cannot see if from a distance as they walk down the trail.
CHESTNUT
After finding the walnut, continue on Oak Hill Trail, at a log bench, the Meadow View Trail exits, stay on Oak Hill Trail. A new white feeder trail enters from the east and Skyline Drive; take it to find the chestnut. A large rock protruding from a flat landscape contains the chestnut letterbox.
PECAN
After finding the chestnut, return to Oak Hill Trail and follow it a short distance to find two cedars marking the start of the orange trail (in 2010 there were orange/black arrows on trees). Take the orange trail (it is also, amazingly, orange on the map). At the second stonewall; the orange trail descends down a slope past ledge on the right. A silver beech stands firmly against the ledge hiding the Pecan letterbox.
To return to the parking lot, go back the way you came. Alternatively, follow these original directions not verified by Trailhead Tessie: Continue on the orange trail. It will descend the hill and circle west, then north up a paved road (driveway?) Stay on the orange trail as it leaves the paved road at a gate on the right. Take the yellow trail to the left, and follow it across a field of cedar trees (This part of the trail is poorly marked, so head west. Stay off the cut grass (possibly private property) to the stone wall. Folllow the wall south till you find an opening just before the cut grass. After passing through a stonewall, the yellow trail hugs the wall going south, back to the parking lot.
(Easton, Connecticut)
***PLANTED AND CARVED BY THE HARDY HIKERS 2003***
Adopted in January 2010 by Trailhead Tessie
Where: Paine Open Space
Number of boxes: 5
Distance: 3-4 miles
Time: about 2-3 hours at an easy pace
Terrain: Easy
Clues: Easy
Located in the Paine Open Space. Use #220 Maple Road for online directions or gps. Be sure to download a map from the Aspetuck Land Trust http://www.aspetucklandtrust.org/maps/ALT-001-map_paine.pdf. You will need to register to view the map.
Paine Open Space adjoins multiple preserves maintained by The Aspetuck Land Trust including Pond View, Island Pond, and Nash. The Aspetuck Land Trust is a non-profit Connecticut Corporation devoted to preserving open space and the natural resources of Easton, Fairfield, Weston and Westport for the benefit of the public.
These trails are well-cleared and in some cases 20 feet wide. Unfortunately, as of 2010, the trails are not well marked or keyed into the map with the use of colored blazes. There are a lot of trails in a small area, so you are going to need to refer to your map and use your general sense of direction to find your way. The trails have been assigned names on the maps, and there are a few signs on the trails with those names, but there are no consistent markings. Where marked, there are plastic arrows that look prone to removal, so don't count on them.
ALMOND
You will start by taking the upper Pond View loop, shown in green on the map. From the parking lot take the trail across the field to the northwest. Very quickly on the left is the Pond view trail (sign says "To Pond View Trail"), a trail that may be marked with white and black arrows. After turning left you immediately pass the unmarked "Evergreen Trail" on the right and another unmarked pond loop trail on the left, but you go straight for now.
Continue westerly past a pond on your left, enjoying “Pond View”. The trail falls and rises again, coming up to a stonewall on the left. Upon leaving woods, as you begin to enter a field, you will see twin cedars. Ahead on the left along the wall stand five brothers, next to three sisters. The almond letterbox is placed behind the brothers in front of the stonewall behind a big slab of rock. DO NOT DAMAGE
THE STONE WALL, it is not necessary.
PEANUT -***Box found empty in 2018***
You will now find your way to Island Pond. From the almond letterbox, continue on the trail to complete the Pond View loop. Very quickly is the unmarked "Evergreen Trail" on the left (formerly marked in yellow). Follow this trail north to Sevens Pond Trail, a major intersection immediately after a small pond on the left. In 2010 there were yellow arrows straight ahead and white arrows to the left on Seven Ponds Trail. Take the left.
Continue on this old road, passing a series of ponds that increase in size until you get to the largest, Island Pond. A short detour to the left and you will find a bridge from the main land to the tiny island. Standing on the first step of the bridge, look past the rhododendron, past the tall oak tree, and see the apex rock at about 330 degrees. Go up there. Turn around and look back...does the oak block your view of the bridge? Good. The Peanut letterbox is located at the base of the apex. **Update, box found empty**
Please be respectful of these trails, be discrete when finding your box and replace them where you found them covering them well so others may enjoy the hunt.
ACORN
I have removed the clues to the acorn box, although the box may still be there. I have not been able to find it and it looks like people were damaging a stone wall looking for it. If anyone found this box previously and can help me find and relocate it, please drop me a line (Trailhead Tessie).
WALNUT
You now need to make your way to Oak Hill Trail, which is on the east side of the park. From the Peanut letterbox continue on Sevens Pond Trail until you see a major trail/road on the left taking you around the back side of the pond. This road is not shown on the map. Follow it. Turn neither left (see the utility pole labeled 2800?) nor right, but go straight on the gravel road. It will become "Apple Tree Crossing" on your map, ending at Sevens Pond Trail. Turn right onto the road and then take a sharp left onto Oak Hill Trail and start up the hill. In 2010 it was marked by a very old sign on a tree.
Pass a couple of stone walls and the trail will begin to circle east past a stonewall with an opening in it. What better place to put a walnut than in a wall. Look to the left of the opening for the Walnut letterbox, up high, behind a stick. PLEASE DO NOT MOVE ANY ROCK. Rehide this one very carefully, wedged up high under the capstone, so people cannot see if from a distance as they walk down the trail.
CHESTNUT
After finding the walnut, continue on Oak Hill Trail, at a log bench, the Meadow View Trail exits, stay on Oak Hill Trail. A new white feeder trail enters from the east and Skyline Drive; take it to find the chestnut. A large rock protruding from a flat landscape contains the chestnut letterbox.
PECAN
After finding the chestnut, return to Oak Hill Trail and follow it a short distance to find two cedars marking the start of the orange trail (in 2010 there were orange/black arrows on trees). Take the orange trail (it is also, amazingly, orange on the map). At the second stonewall; the orange trail descends down a slope past ledge on the right. A silver beech stands firmly against the ledge hiding the Pecan letterbox.
To return to the parking lot, go back the way you came. Alternatively, follow these original directions not verified by Trailhead Tessie: Continue on the orange trail. It will descend the hill and circle west, then north up a paved road (driveway?) Stay on the orange trail as it leaves the paved road at a gate on the right. Take the yellow trail to the left, and follow it across a field of cedar trees (This part of the trail is poorly marked, so head west. Stay off the cut grass (possibly private property) to the stone wall. Folllow the wall south till you find an opening just before the cut grass. After passing through a stonewall, the yellow trail hugs the wall going south, back to the parking lot.