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Rancho San Antonio Fallen Leaf LbNA #38057 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Feb 24, 2008
Location:
City:Cupertino
County:Santa Clara
State:California
Boxes:1
Planted by:WyndRyders
Found by: wood thrush
Last found:Nov 1, 2014
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFaa
Last edited:Feb 24, 2008
This adventure is an easy 0.5 mile hike to the letterbox (1 mile round trip). Good for families and stroller-friendly.

**As of 7/18/08, there is a new, hand-carved stamp and the location has been changed slightly.**

The Fallen Leaf Letterbox can be found on a relatively seldom-traveled path at Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve near Cupertino. This preserve is home to Deer Hollow Farm, a lovely educational farm run by the City of Mountain View. It includes goats, sheep, pigs, a cow, chickens, rabbits and ducks. The trek to the letterbox does not include a trip to the farm, but its a worthwhile extra trip if you have the time and inclination to go there. The farm is closed all day on Mondays.

To get to Rancho San Antonio:

From 280, exit at Foothill Expressway. Go West on Foothill and turn right at the first light at Cristo Rey. Drive down Cristo Rey. You will see the entrance to the park on the left.

Start at the trailhead in the far right corner of the lower paved parking lot. You will know you are in the right place if you see a sign listing "Deer Hollow Farm Hours".

Cross the bridge over Permanente Creek and take the Permanente Creek Trail to the far right. This trail passes between the creek and a large meadow. A large flock of wild turkeys sometimes hangs out here.

Pass the tennis courts on your left.

At the 'Y' in the trail, take the right hand fork and continue across a second bridge over the creek. You will be on a paved road.

Immediately on the other side of the bridge, veer to your left onto a dirt/gravel trail. This trail goes around another large meadow.

At one point, you will see a large, mossy oak tree arching over the trail and touching the ground. The trail turns to the right here.

Go to the base of the oak tree and count 60 steps up the path, continuing in the same direction you were going. At the end of 60 steps, you will see a broken, three-pronged tree standing in the meadow just off the path. It has a black rope hanging from it. To your left, down towards the creek is a large bay tree.

Make sure you are not observed as you walk under the branches of the bay tree and find the fallen log near its base. The log has a hole in the top, covered by bark. Remove the bark to find your prize.

Please re-seal everything carefully and make sure the box has sufficient bark covering it to hide it from view.

If you are headed toward the farm, why not take a look for The Flying Pigs' letterbox series as well?