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Waterworks Hill Peace Sign LbNA #22947

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Oct 30, 2005
Location:
City:Missoula
County:Missoula
State:Montana
Boxes:1
Planted by:Rubberband Man
Found by: Kiwi Bird
Last found:Jan 1, 2006
Status:FFFFa
Last edited:Oct 30, 2005
This letterbox is called the “Waterworks Hill Peace Sign” letterbox. The hike is moderately hard, so plan on about 30 to 45 minutes round-trip.
I showed up to Missoula too late to see what must have been a lovely peace symbol painted on a sign overlooking the town. I learned about it from Glenn Parks, the friendly gentleman selling stickers, pins, and clocks with the peace sign at the summer artisans’ market.
I pinned down exact instructions from the folks at the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center. They also told me that the peace sign is still on the hill, made entirely from rocks. The peace sign is part of Missoula’s history, and I felt it was time to check it out.
The following instructions will lead you up the hill to the peace sign, and the letterbox will be nearby.
To get to the parking area, go east on Spruce or north on Madison which turns into Spruce. The road curves north. Follow the road across the railroad tracks and under the highway. The road continues going north, renamed as Greenough. Follow for a 100 yards more until you see a “Dead End” sign on your left and a road beside the sign headed up and northwest. Follow this road and park at the end.
At this point, you can pick up a small rock or pebble for later use.
You should see a sign that says “Waterworks Hill Conservation Easement.” You’ll see a path along a fence going up. Take this path. You’ll pass two forks; stay to the right on the main foot trail both times.
You’ll start to see large rocks lining the trail. Keep going until you pass through a fence and see a sign saying “North Hills, Randolph Hills.” Take a right on this larger trail. There are two large buildings with antennae a good distance apart. You will pass both of them, still heading up the hill.
Once you pass through a kooky looking fence, you’re in the home stretch. Continue until you see four large half-buried metal drums. The peace sign is within. If desired, you can add your rock or pebble to the peace symbol.
Stand at the base of the sign, still facing the sign, at the middle of the three “toes.” You should see a green trail in front of you and to the right. Take this trail toward the large tree in the distance. At the base of the tree, you’ll find a letterbox!