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Carderock LbNA #3498 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:May 5, 2003
Location:
City:Bethesda
County:Montgomery
State:Maryland
Boxes:1
Planted by:Wolfpack
Found by: Tempus Fugit
Last found:Mar 1, 2008
Status:FFFFFFF
Last edited:May 5, 2003
Carderock Letterbox
Montgomery County, Maryland


1 box placed in May, 2003 by the Wolfpack Gang
That box lost in a flood December, 2003
New box relocated in April, 2004

Difficulty: Easy, about a 20 minute walk

Carderock Park is operated by the National Park Service and is a lovely stretch of woods and trails along the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Walking trails include the C & O canal and a portion of the Billy Goat Trail. There are fields to play ball in, a pavilion, picnic tables, and, at the western end, great rock climbing.

From the 495 Beltway, take the Clara Barton Parkway/Carderock exit and take the exit west on the Clara Barton Parkway towards Potomac, MD. Go .9 miles to the exit for Carderock Park. After you go under the small tunnel for the C & O canal, take a right and drive to second parking lot on your left.

Three quarters of the way down the parking lot is a trail that leads towards the Potomac River. The first part of the trail is a bit rough after several trees were felled by the last hurricane. Step around or over the trees and continue on the path until you reach a fork in the trail. Take the trail to the left (that is, DO NOT go over the stream) and follow the blue-blazed trail as you wend your way downstream.

Walk until you see a beech tree with two blue blazes on it. Continue on the blue blaze trail for about 44 steps. You will see two old, downed trees that "point" to a triple-trunked tree. Look around the base of the tree for the letterbox.

Happy hunting!

If you wish to make the trip a bit longer and even more scenic, park at the farthest parking lot and follow the blue blaze trail downstream until you cross the little stream with the two-board bridge. From there, follow the directions above.