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Grand Beginnings LbNA #23243

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Aug 19, 2006
Location:
City:Town of Grand Lake
County:Grand
State:Colorado
Boxes:1
Planted by:preboxed
Found by: The Woodshed
Last found:Jun 30, 2013
Status:FFFFFFFOFFFFFF
Last edited:Aug 19, 2006
Grand Beginnings Letterbox

I hear from this box *very rarely* and can only report what finders send to me.

6/2010 box reported as doing just fine.

The box was placed in time for the Grand Grand Lake Gathering on 8/19/06.

The Mighty Colorado River has its beginning at Grand Lake, the deepest natural lake in Colorado. From here the Colorado River passes through five states supplying water for many uses to much of the western half of the US. You’ve probably heard that the Colorado River begins “high in the Rockies”. Have you ever wondered where? While this box is not at the headwaters itself (that would be inside Rocky Mountain National Park) it is located at a lovely quiet spot near where the headwaters flow into the lake.

The natural course of the 1450-mile-long Colorado flowed into the Gulf of California, but the heavy diversion of water for irrigation at its lower end (as much as 90% in southern California) has dramatically changed its course so that it no longer consistently reaches the sea, instead, it simply evaporates in the Mexican Sonoran Desert before reaching the Gulf. At full flow, more runoff volume exists in the Colorado than any other river in North America except the Mississippi and Columbia.

Near mile marker 12 on Highway 34 just south of Grand Lake, turn towards the lake onto Grand County 672 to the Pine Beach Picnic Area.

Box is within the Arapaho National Forest fee area. If you’ve already purchased a day pass, you’re all set. The walk is easy - about 10 minutes each way. You may be able to park on the road before the self-pay station and walk in if you want to take your chances and not pay the fee.

Kid, dog and picnic friendly. 1/3 - 1/2 mile easy peasy walk - round trip...if that.

Stop just past the pay station and have a look at the signage. Note that the Colorado flows INTO the lake just north of this sign. Now note where the bathrooms are and that there are 2 paths near them. One path goes E to a very lovely picnic spot by the lake. The 2nd path goes S/SE from the bathrooms towards a pond.

Unfortunately, like much of the Grand Lake region, this area has been badly hit by pine beetle infestation. Many trees have been cut down or marked for future clearing. At the time these clues were written you’ll pass through one clear cut area near the bathrooms, and on the edge of a 2nd to reach the box. The spot where the box is located is worth it! – even if there may be more missing trees by the time you look for this box.

Park near the bathrooms, then head out on the 2nd path towards the pond. You should very shortly find a picnic table. Use the slightly faint path heading SW-ish from the picnic table and around the south side of the pond to continue. When you’re approximately on the other side of the pond from where you started, another path should join the one you’re on from the right (west-ish). Don’t take this trail, but instead continue towards the end of the spit of land you can tell you’re now on. As you come to the top of the last slight rise before the end of the point, look on the right side of the path for the largest boulder you can see – the water’s edge is just on the south side of this big one. When I placed this box a “tepee” was on the left side of the trail at the slight rise.

Stand directly on the north side of this large boulder and take a bearing of 30. Take about 58 steps as you head back to, then across the path to the opposite shoreline from where the large boulder is. A cluster of 3 large rocks is on the water’s edge here (not counting the one IN the water.) In the middle of this rock cluster is a group of about 10 trees. Look under the south side of the western-most of the 3 rocks for your prize.

Handmade stamp & logbook - I'm very proud of this box, stamp, and hiding place, but had to switch to a smaller box to fit in the hidey hole so pen, but no ink.

I’m suggesting that you continue the short distance to the end of the point to stamp in.

Remember to rehide COMPLETELY hidden from view.

Since I’m not local I’d really appreciate status updates on this box.

preboxed
Denver, CO