Connecticut Trees Series LbNA #: 33344
CluesConnecticut Tree Letterbox Series
Difficulty:
Challenging for younger children
Directions:
Take Rte 17 to Maiden Lane. Turn onto Maiden Lane and continue until you reach Picket Road. Turn right onto Picket Road and continue until you reach the high school. Turn into the high school and park in the back parking lot past the basketball court and track. The trail starts in the Northeast corner of the parking lot and has a clear blue/red blaze visible from the parking lot.
We suggest you bring a compass, road map, and a curiosity for the outdoors.
Background Information:
To measure distances we suggest using pacing. A pace is equivalent to two steps. That means, when your right foot takes a step two times, that is one pace. To determine the distance of each pace, measure 100 and pace it out; count the number of comfortable paces for you. Repeat this to determine your average amount of paces. Then, divide 100 by your average number of paces to determine the distance of each pace.
DBH refers to the diameter breast height. Foresters measure this distance 4.5 from the ground.
For all letterboxes in this series, please follow the blue/red blazes indicating the trail. To complete the whole series should take about an easy two to three hours, depending on your speed and ability. We suggest you do them all together if possible.
Please be cautious as limited hunting is allowed only by Connecticut Forest and Park Association permission. Wearing blaze (very bright) orange during autumn hunting season is recommended.
Sassafras Letterbox Clues:
Start walking the trail until the trail makes a distinct turn left. From this turn walk approximately 350 where youll find a dead tree that is home to many animals (evident by holes and very little bark). Continue along the trail approximately 153 to a sugar maple with about a 9 DBH with a stump 2 away. From the stump walk north off the trail approximately 45 to a boulder (largest rock visible in the area). Look around the rock for the letterbox.
American Beach Letterbox Clues:
Continue along the trail (from the Sassafras letterbox) crossing a stream and making a sweeping turn uphill. Further beyond as you climb the next incline with roots at your feet look up on the south side of the trail for an American Beech tree that appears like conjoined twins with approximately 14 DBH. From this tree, take a bearing of 65 degrees northeast and pace approximately 55 in the direction to the middle of three triplet trees, each with the same DBH of 8. Look at the base of one of the trees thats sprouting a small tree from its base.
Oak Letterbox Clues:
Continue along the trail (from the American Beech letterbox) through the woods. Follow the switchbacks (sharp traverses) downhill to a low-lying area covered with ferns. (Be sure to watch carefully for the blue/red blazes.) Before reaching the lowest point of the basin, look for a sugar maple with approximately 4 DBH. From the maple, take a bearing of 164 degrees southeast and pace about 45 in the direction to a large Oak with approximately 13 DBH. Look around the base of the tree to find the letterbox.
Sugar Maple Letterbox Clues:
Continue along the trail (from the Oak letterbox) passing a large uprooted tree with extraordinary exposed roots. Explore further along the trail. Look on the southwest side of the trail for a 25 DBH tulip tree with a furry vine growing up it. This vine is poison ivy, so please use caution and do not touch the vine. From the tree, walk approximately 105 along the trail to a sugar maple tree with distinct visible roots and about 10.5 DBH. Look at the base of the tree for the letterbox.
To return to the parking lot, please retrace your steps past all of the letterbox locations.
We encourage you to explore the rest of the trail system within the forest. This Field Forest, 152 acres of the land, is owned by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. The Association was given the property as a generous gift from Howard Brigham Field, Jr. in his will. The forest creates rich habitat for many trees, such as the Oak, American Beach, Sassafras and Sugar Maple, as well as for wildlife and other plants.
The Connecticut Forest and Park Association is a private non-profit membership organization founded in 1895. It is the oldest conservation organization in Connecticut. Our mission is to conserve the land and natural resources of Connecticut. We accomplish this mission through stewardship, education and advocacy. Please visit our website at www.ctwoodlands.org. Happy Trails!
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Before you set out, please read the
waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.
Please be sure to reseal baggies and boxes carefully so that they stay dry
and rehide boxes in their original location, completely hidden from view. |
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