Sign Up  /  Login

Prydden Falls LbNA #1207 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Zurcher
Plant date:Mar 28, 2002
Location:
City:Newtown
County:Fairfield
State:Connecticut
Boxes:1
Found by: Dino Don
Last found:Nov 21, 2010
Status:FFFFFFFaaaaa
Last edited:Mar 28, 2002
Attention: as per KANDOOKU...[ see below] this letterbox no longer operational !!!! its a long hike in, easier to go by canoe...but if anyone cares to go double check, please let me know, as it would be a while till I get in here !!!


kandooku Prydden Falls July 19, 2014 06:28
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that the letterbox at Prydden Falls is missing. We followed your clues and found the location for the first box, but all that was there was an empty, broken tupperware box and a plastic bag. No sign of a log book...

following original clue sheet:

Clues adopted for safekeeping by Zurcher

These 2 boxes where prevoiusly listed as:
The Paugussett Falls & Case of Mistaken Identity Letterboxes
Stevenson/Newtown, Connecticut, however, the former box just above the falls has been relocated over to Kettletown, and this box from up above falls is now below falls.

Your name:Herb / Zurcher [not original owner]
Number boxes: 1
The date originally placed: 03-28-02
Adoption Date:12-03-03 relocated 3-29-04
What state and county it is located in: Fairfield Cty, CT.
Difficulty: hard to find, moderate to semi rugged terrain.
Time: 4 hours-ish round trip for full loop.
Distance: 6.50 mile loop or approx. 5 miles for shorter loop.

Points of interest: Huge Pine stands, Hemlock stands, Mountain Laurel groves, Prydden Falls and other smaller falls, a small beach, DEP scenic route, old charcoal hearth sites, and old foundations.

Directions to Zoar trail: CT walk book page 23 or as follows: Get to Rte 34 in Stevenson (off of I84 around exit10 I think). About 100 yards West of the intersection of Rte 34 and Rte 111, turn North onto Great Quarter Road. The road ends after 1.30 miles at a turn-around with parking. Please check a map first!

Clues: Follow "Blue Blazes” the entire way except from April 15th to August 15th (see below).

0.0 From parking area follow blazes along shore (avoid immediate shore private prop.).

0.25 Turn L away from lake.

0.31 Reach forest road turn R. Ascent .

0.59 Turn R descend gradually to lake.

0.67 Leave shore ascend on old road.

0.85 Reach point 100ft above lake return to shore on another old road that has eroded into a ditch.

1.33 Pass a small beach. Turn inland through Hemlock forest.

1.63 Unmarked side trail on R descends to Prydden Falls.

Leave Blue Blaze trail toward the East (toward Lake Zoar) Follow sound of water (East) to crest of falls. Enjoy view.

If you went too far, crossing Prydden Brook and reaching sign: "closed april 15 - aug 15" turn back, cross brook and ( staying on southern side) decend toward falls )

At bottom of falls, you will sight 2 trees close to-gether. [ one is dead ] get next to the living tree. The trees are near 2 feet thick, and gap / space between them is 2 feet.
The letterbox is 25/30 feet away on a magnetic bearing of 160 degrees. A large rock 7x10 has a slanted cap at about 45 degree angle, box is hidden in crack or opening between cap and main rock, by smaller rocks placed to hide a rubbermaid container with white lid. Rehide as found.

Please enjoy and don’t forget to hide it well for the next person. To go on , Follow blue blazed trail across Prydden Brook and ascend on blue trail.

For the less hardy hikers, would recommend getting back to the car the way you came in, following blue trail allong the river. Continuing on blue trail, inland or completing loop is very strenious , suitable only for very fit, experianced hikers. I "cheat" to maintain this box, bushwack in from Cider mill road (1.3km) or canoe across from Kettletown.

1.80 From Aug 15 to April 15 continue straight (bear R) through mostly hemlock forest above the lake. The Blue Blaze trail and the forest area ahead is closed from April 15th to Aug 15 to protect wildlife. During this period, OR TO TAKE A SHORTCUT, go L following Blue/Yellow dot trail for 0.3 miles to rejoin blue blazed trail at 3.35 miles.

2.53 Avoid the path ahead that leads to private community. Turn L following Blue Blazes up very steep incline. You can curse us [ not me, I warned you ] later.

2.91 An unmarked trail enters from R.

3.35 this is upper point of where blue trail comes in from the north to complete loop.
Walk a short distance, following Blue Blazes, and turn L to cross Prydden Brook, and continue uphill through laurel.

3.74 Bear L through small sag and over rock pile to viewpoint 440 feet above lake.

3.97 Descend through mixed forest, cross old wood road and climb steeply.

4.17 Reach rocky summit at 520 feet above lake.

4.67 Cross seasonal brook

4.75 Cross stream. A Yellow/Blue dot trail enters from L and shortly leaves R.

5.00 Ascend hill then descend. Pass through timber harvesting area staying on Blue Blazes trail.

5.28 Reach stone embankment that borders trail on R. Descend gradually passing several seasonal streams.

5.78 Continue on Blue Blazes where a couple of old forest roads join.

5.96 Turn L onto Great Quarter Road

6.5 Reach turn-around parking area to complete loop. Congratulations!

I put the directions for your convenience. You can follow the Blue Blazes the entire way with out a map if you were comfortable. I strongly suggest buying the Connecticut Walk Book from any bookstore or for more info www.CTWOODLANDS.ORG.

This Zoar trail is on the West side of Lake Zoar. On the opposite shore is Kettletown Park. I thought Zoar trail was a part of Kettletown Park. Zoar trail is part of the Paugusset State Forest in Newtown. I designed the stamps based on Kettletown’s history because I thought Zoar was a part of it, oh well. It's still a beautiful park with great hemlocks, pines, and streams, including a few small waterfalls. Paugusset is over 1000 acres. Please wear blaze orange during hunting season.