Rockburn Branch (HLRG) LbNA #1880
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Nearby Boxes
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Add Location| Owner: | HLRG Wood Thrush  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Nov 2, 2002 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Elkridge |
| County: | Baltimore |
| State: | Maryland |
| Boxes: | 5 |
| Found by: | drobare (5) |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Apr 8, 2013 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFOF |
| Last edited: | Nov 2, 2002 |
12.8.12 UPDATE. The HLRG's Whisper Foot recently did major maintenance on the series and updated the clues. Enjoy this series in its 10th anniversary year!
About HLRG. The Historic Letterbox Restoration Group (HLRG) restored the Rockburn Branch Series on April 14, 2007. We are a loose confederation of Maryland boxers who rescue and restore historic and significant boxes throughout the state. If you would like to restore some of the historic boxes in your area, we welcome your participation! Send questions to hlrg_wood_thrush@mac.com.
History of this series. The Rockburn Branch Series was originally planted by Maryland boxer Go Against the Flow (GAtF) on Nov. 2, 2002. It was adopted in 2003 by MD Orphan, and maintained for a few years. The series takes the intrepid boxer up and along the challenging Rockburn Branch Trail. At the time of the restoration, one of GAtF's three original boxes remained in place, one had been lost, and a third was deemed either lost or buried under a lot of mud and debris. The HLRG recarved the missing stamps and added two boxes as bookends, for a total of five in the series. We have included GAtF's original poetry-style clues in italics, along with our own clues and clarifications.
Two important notes before you attempt this letterbox. First, if you are boxing with young children, be aware that this series involves a hike of 2 miles with an initial long and steep hill up to the summit of a ridge. Know your limits; this series may not be appropriate for your family. Second, you must go up the hill all the way to the top of the ridge to find the purple-blazed Rockburn Branch Trail. There is an intersection of other trails that lead off to the right shortly before you reach the top of the ridge. None of these trails have purple blazes. DO NOT take any of these trails. Instead, continue to the top of the hill and you will find the correct trail.
Driving directions
DIRECTIONS FROM BALTIMORE (3 miles south of the Baltimore Beltway)
From the Beltway (I-695), take exit 9 to Route 1 South toward Elkridge. Follow Route 1 South about 3 miles to South Street. Turn right onto South Street. Take the immediate left into the park entrance ($3 fee per person at all times). At the T, turn left towards the Avalon area
Park in the first lot on the right, near the Avalon recreation area.
DIRECTIONS FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. (30 minutes from the I-495 / 95 North interchange)
Take I-95 North to Baltimore. Take exit 47 (BWI Airport) and travel east on I-195. Take the first exit US-1, heading south. Take the next right onto South Street. The remaining directions are the same as above.
To the Letterboxes
Head up River Road north until you see the Ridge Trail sign
Turn left, follow orange blazes and try not to whine
It's a very steep climb, but when you do reach the top
You'll hear the wind, chipmunks, birds and even acorns drop
Turn left on the "Rockburn Branch" trail where four paths do meet
At the end of this loop, you'll stand here with tired feet
You'll see hikers, bikers, but a horse is hard to find
Just watch your step...you'll surely see what they leave behind
#1 Rockburn Branch (carved by HLRG's Wood Thrush)
We have relocated this box because of the trail rerouting. Having turned left onto the trail as the original clues state, look for the "rusty cube" to the left of the trail. Standing behind the cube, take 18 steps at 45 degrees to an unremarkable, decent-sized tree. The box is around the back of the tree under some SPOL and leaves. When you replace the box, try to make the SPOL and leaves look as natural as possible. Return to the trail.
#2 Hiker Box (carved by Go Against the Flow)
Make your way along the trail until you see a cut log in the middle of the trail, with the trail going around both sides of it. On the left is a large V tree with ivy both poisonous and non. From this location, walk another 60 steps further down the trail. You will see a large mound of dirt on the right side of the trail. Take a compass bearing of 240 degrees. Head towards the largest tree you see with moss at the base, 25 steps from the trail. Hiker Box is behind this tree, under leaves and a SPOR. Beware of stickers! This is the original stamp and log by GAtF. The stamp has broken in half, but we have duct-taped it together.
#3 Rider Box (recarved by HLRG's Whisper Foot)
This is another box that we had to relocate because of the trail rerouting.
To find the box, continue on the trail. After a short time you will come to a Y in the trail. Take the trail to the right. (The trail to the left is the original route of the trail, and should you take it, you would shortly encounter a "trail closed" sign.) At the footbridge take a left then stay to the right at the next intersection. Soon you will come to a point in the trail where an old tree disaster has occurred. A large tree fell across the trail and took others with it. To your left: a big rotten tree trunk with a rock right at the trail, and down the hill the rotten tree stump with some logs and rocks piled up at it. To your right: the other half of the cut tree trunk and a bunch of rotten logs, branches, small trees, etc. all tangled up it where it fell. You will know this place when you see it, it's pretty unmistakable. NOTE! Stealth is necessary at this box as the trail loops around at this point!
Stand at the rock on the left of the trail and turn around. Walk 22 steps back the way you came and stop at a small beech tree on your right with a purple blaze. Take a bearing of 270 degrees and walk to the lone Pine tree. Nestled in the middle of those rotten logs and under some leaves is the Rider Box.
#4 Biker Box (recarved from the original by HLRG's Energizer Bunnie)
Walk until you spot two fallen trees on both trail sides
With stump roots as large as Interstate 95 rides
Walk to the exposed root stump of the tree on your left
Circle to the tree base and find the rock you must heft
This is where the "Patapsco Biker" letterbox rests
HLRG really liked the imagery in this part of GAtF's poem, so we encourage you to follow his directions. It may be true that the original biker box still rests at the tree base, but if so, it is resting in peace, so to speak, under a whole lot of mud and debris, not a rock. We did plant the new box very close to this location, however. Stand at the root ball of the tree and take a bearing of 360 degrees. Walk 40-45 steps, over some fallen, rotten logs, to a huge, can't-miss Poplar. Ack! More stickers!! At the back of this tree is a unique SPOR: a large white rock sitting on a bed of small black rocks. The biker box is resting within on the bed of black rocks. Continue on the trail.
Bookend Box: Raucous Rockburn Resident (carved by HLRG's Mommo)
Now we come to the final box in our series. Continue on the trail a little ways until the trail flattens out and begins to serpentine, entering an area of scrubby trees and dense undergrowth. As you continue down the trail you will see a humongous fallen tree on the right. After passing this tree, take the un-blazed trail on the right. Walk over the large, fallen log and once on the other side count 56 steps and stop. Look to the right for two large poplar trees close together. The Raucous Rockburn Resident is hiding behind the tree closest to the trail under some leaves on a comfy bed of sticks. Return to the main trail to complete your loop.
Thanks for coming along with us on the Rockburn Branch. We'll let GAtF have the last word:
Follow purple blazes forward to finish your quest
It's all down hill from here; just stay the greater path
We hope you found all three...with luck and a little math...
Hike Length: 2.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 350 feet
About HLRG. The Historic Letterbox Restoration Group (HLRG) restored the Rockburn Branch Series on April 14, 2007. We are a loose confederation of Maryland boxers who rescue and restore historic and significant boxes throughout the state. If you would like to restore some of the historic boxes in your area, we welcome your participation! Send questions to hlrg_wood_thrush@mac.com.
History of this series. The Rockburn Branch Series was originally planted by Maryland boxer Go Against the Flow (GAtF) on Nov. 2, 2002. It was adopted in 2003 by MD Orphan, and maintained for a few years. The series takes the intrepid boxer up and along the challenging Rockburn Branch Trail. At the time of the restoration, one of GAtF's three original boxes remained in place, one had been lost, and a third was deemed either lost or buried under a lot of mud and debris. The HLRG recarved the missing stamps and added two boxes as bookends, for a total of five in the series. We have included GAtF's original poetry-style clues in italics, along with our own clues and clarifications.
Two important notes before you attempt this letterbox. First, if you are boxing with young children, be aware that this series involves a hike of 2 miles with an initial long and steep hill up to the summit of a ridge. Know your limits; this series may not be appropriate for your family. Second, you must go up the hill all the way to the top of the ridge to find the purple-blazed Rockburn Branch Trail. There is an intersection of other trails that lead off to the right shortly before you reach the top of the ridge. None of these trails have purple blazes. DO NOT take any of these trails. Instead, continue to the top of the hill and you will find the correct trail.
Driving directions
DIRECTIONS FROM BALTIMORE (3 miles south of the Baltimore Beltway)
From the Beltway (I-695), take exit 9 to Route 1 South toward Elkridge. Follow Route 1 South about 3 miles to South Street. Turn right onto South Street. Take the immediate left into the park entrance ($3 fee per person at all times). At the T, turn left towards the Avalon area
Park in the first lot on the right, near the Avalon recreation area.
DIRECTIONS FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. (30 minutes from the I-495 / 95 North interchange)
Take I-95 North to Baltimore. Take exit 47 (BWI Airport) and travel east on I-195. Take the first exit US-1, heading south. Take the next right onto South Street. The remaining directions are the same as above.
To the Letterboxes
Head up River Road north until you see the Ridge Trail sign
Turn left, follow orange blazes and try not to whine
It's a very steep climb, but when you do reach the top
You'll hear the wind, chipmunks, birds and even acorns drop
Turn left on the "Rockburn Branch" trail where four paths do meet
At the end of this loop, you'll stand here with tired feet
You'll see hikers, bikers, but a horse is hard to find
Just watch your step...you'll surely see what they leave behind
#1 Rockburn Branch (carved by HLRG's Wood Thrush)
We have relocated this box because of the trail rerouting. Having turned left onto the trail as the original clues state, look for the "rusty cube" to the left of the trail. Standing behind the cube, take 18 steps at 45 degrees to an unremarkable, decent-sized tree. The box is around the back of the tree under some SPOL and leaves. When you replace the box, try to make the SPOL and leaves look as natural as possible. Return to the trail.
#2 Hiker Box (carved by Go Against the Flow)
Make your way along the trail until you see a cut log in the middle of the trail, with the trail going around both sides of it. On the left is a large V tree with ivy both poisonous and non. From this location, walk another 60 steps further down the trail. You will see a large mound of dirt on the right side of the trail. Take a compass bearing of 240 degrees. Head towards the largest tree you see with moss at the base, 25 steps from the trail. Hiker Box is behind this tree, under leaves and a SPOR. Beware of stickers! This is the original stamp and log by GAtF. The stamp has broken in half, but we have duct-taped it together.
#3 Rider Box (recarved by HLRG's Whisper Foot)
This is another box that we had to relocate because of the trail rerouting.
To find the box, continue on the trail. After a short time you will come to a Y in the trail. Take the trail to the right. (The trail to the left is the original route of the trail, and should you take it, you would shortly encounter a "trail closed" sign.) At the footbridge take a left then stay to the right at the next intersection. Soon you will come to a point in the trail where an old tree disaster has occurred. A large tree fell across the trail and took others with it. To your left: a big rotten tree trunk with a rock right at the trail, and down the hill the rotten tree stump with some logs and rocks piled up at it. To your right: the other half of the cut tree trunk and a bunch of rotten logs, branches, small trees, etc. all tangled up it where it fell. You will know this place when you see it, it's pretty unmistakable. NOTE! Stealth is necessary at this box as the trail loops around at this point!
Stand at the rock on the left of the trail and turn around. Walk 22 steps back the way you came and stop at a small beech tree on your right with a purple blaze. Take a bearing of 270 degrees and walk to the lone Pine tree. Nestled in the middle of those rotten logs and under some leaves is the Rider Box.
#4 Biker Box (recarved from the original by HLRG's Energizer Bunnie)
Walk until you spot two fallen trees on both trail sides
With stump roots as large as Interstate 95 rides
Walk to the exposed root stump of the tree on your left
Circle to the tree base and find the rock you must heft
This is where the "Patapsco Biker" letterbox rests
HLRG really liked the imagery in this part of GAtF's poem, so we encourage you to follow his directions. It may be true that the original biker box still rests at the tree base, but if so, it is resting in peace, so to speak, under a whole lot of mud and debris, not a rock. We did plant the new box very close to this location, however. Stand at the root ball of the tree and take a bearing of 360 degrees. Walk 40-45 steps, over some fallen, rotten logs, to a huge, can't-miss Poplar. Ack! More stickers!! At the back of this tree is a unique SPOR: a large white rock sitting on a bed of small black rocks. The biker box is resting within on the bed of black rocks. Continue on the trail.
Bookend Box: Raucous Rockburn Resident (carved by HLRG's Mommo)
Now we come to the final box in our series. Continue on the trail a little ways until the trail flattens out and begins to serpentine, entering an area of scrubby trees and dense undergrowth. As you continue down the trail you will see a humongous fallen tree on the right. After passing this tree, take the un-blazed trail on the right. Walk over the large, fallen log and once on the other side count 56 steps and stop. Look to the right for two large poplar trees close together. The Raucous Rockburn Resident is hiding behind the tree closest to the trail under some leaves on a comfy bed of sticks. Return to the main trail to complete your loop.
Thanks for coming along with us on the Rockburn Branch. We'll let GAtF have the last word:
Follow purple blazes forward to finish your quest
It's all down hill from here; just stay the greater path
We hope you found all three...with luck and a little math...
Hike Length: 2.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 350 feet