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SkiXcountry LbNA #14586

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Apr 19, 2005
Location:
City:Ithaca
County:Tompkins
State:New York
Boxes:1
Found by: Jayanjas
Last found:Mar 28, 2009
Status:FFFFF
Last edited:Apr 19, 2005
[Reported in excellent condition April 28, 2011. -Choi]

A delightful walk on cross country ski trails in Hammond Hill State Forest will bring you to the SkiXcountry Letter Box. This was planted with the help of our 5 and 8 year old grandchildren so the location is easily accessible to a family. Though not measured, the walk is less than a half mile on a marked path with some elevation gain.

From Irish Settlement Road, turn onto Hammond Hill Road, take the right fork, park in the parking lot. The trail starts across the road and be sure to sign in at the kiosk to let the state know we appreciate their extensive trail work. Feel free to pick up a map of the area, you could enjoy many hours of summer hiking or biking and skiing in the winter.

Follow trail "Y1" past the “Hammond Hill-Ton” warming shack on the left, past an old sugar shack that's no longer used. Following the trail, you pass a large farm field, and reenter state land. Shortly after there is an area of recent blow-down of large trees next to the trail, with great hiding places for children (don't lose any!). Past the blow-down area, after a slight climb, there is a nearly level section of trail and you should be looking for a four trunk maple tree about 20 feet from the trail on the right side. This tree should be fairly distinctive. If you followed the older directions posted here, I had it described as a five trunk maple tree but that was a lapse of memory.

If you go too far, there is what looks like a wide path or old road going off to the right and after that the trail steepens again.

Ok, so where is it hidden? Any additional directions would take you away from the hiding spot, you can see the tree from the trail, so look at eye level or a little less, and enjoy.

The Pleasant Bananas