Fun in The Skug LbNA #40637
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Add Location| Owner: | J & O Surprises  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Jun 1, 2008 |
| Location: | Skug River Reservation |
| City: | Andover |
| County: | Essex |
| State: | Massachusetts |
| Boxes: | 6 |
| Found by: | Nairon (5) |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Nov 5, 2023 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFOF |
| Last edited: | Jan 3, 2023 |
Fun in The Skug
Welcome to our first letter box series – Fun in the Skug. Please bring your own stamp pad, we have not supplied one. We’ve tried to create stamps that tie to some of what you’ll see along the way and we’ve tried to provide some additional information in the clues that will hopefully enhance your enjoyment of the walk! Note that some of the clues use compass headings to make things a bit easier in some instances, but you should be able to find all of the boxes without one. Be sure to bring bug spray and check yourself for ticks when you’re done – standard fare these days! Finally, please let us know what you thought in the journal, which you’ll find in the last box.
Start at the main entrance to the AVIS Skug River Reservation (http://www.avisandover.org/skug.html) on Salem Street in Andover.
Box #1 “Hornidge Bridge”
Standing in the parking lot, note the informational kiosk that highlights a few of the sights of the Skug Reservation. Proceed into the Skug Reservation, crossing a long boardwalk across a life-filled swamp. After a short distance, you’ll pass through a stone wall just before a T-intersection. Take a right and then an immediate left, noting the very old AVIS Bridges Trail sign high in the tree on your left.
Proceed straight ahead on the trail and prepare to "walk the plank! Step up onto the first plank, if you dare. Cautiously proceed to the end of the 5th plank... count carefully! Now stop, and look to your right. Note the ominous warning sign deep in the murky woods: "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here!" Remaining at the end of the 5th plank, cast your gaze down a bit from the sign, to a rock directly in front of you, that appears to have a piece removed. Here, just behind the curious stone, you'll find your first prize - an image of the historic Hornidge Bridge, which you are about to take across the mighty Skug River. This bridge is named after Marta and Dick Hornidge, longtime wardens of the Skug Reservation.
Notice that this bridge has been raised and extended multiple times to keep up with the very active beavers in the area! Luckily a great Eagle Scout named Matt Quartararo build the new walkway extension that you are you will use after cross the river - but proceed slowly - your next prize is near!
Box #2 “The Industrious Beaver”
Cross the river and follow the boardwalk as it turns to the left. In just a few steps, start watching carefully for an ancient timber on a deserted island. The timber is marked by curious gold letters - what do they mean? Carefully make your way to the deserted island... buried behind the ancient timber is your second treasure!
While you claim your prize on the island, look across the river to see an old lodge house - who lived inside?
Box #3 “Ziggy's Stone Wedge”
Now return to the boardwalk and continue your journey, eventually taking a sharp right turn into the very heart of Harold Parker State Forest! Note that the next box is pretty far away, so relax and enjoy the views as you walk!
After a while you’ll pass through a stone wall just before a T-intersection with an old forest road. Turn left on this forest road, proceeding down a small hill and eventually arriving at a 3-way intersection. (Interesting note: the trail to the right brings you to in about 50 yards to the swampy edge of Bear Pond, one of only 2 non-manmade ponds in Harold Parker State Forest (the other is Berry Pond)).
To proceed to the next stamp, bear left at 120 degrees at this 3-way intersection. As you walk notice the impact of the beaver flooding off to your left. Follow the trail up a slight incline and then a moderate curve to the left. Shortly you’ll come to another 3-way intersection.
Take the smaller path to the left and listen for the sound of flowing water. Immediately on the left notice the remains of an old sawmill foundation where the Skug River once powered a water wheel, driving a saw to cut timber. Also notice the massive beaver dam, now perfectly positioned to hold back the water. Proceed along the trail, following the river downstream. Watch for the bridge crossing the Skug River on the left. Cross this bridge and pause at the intersection - you are close!
On the path to the right, proceed 13 paces from the intersection, and look to the left. See the rock with the unusual man-made crack down the middle - evidence of the soapstone quarrying operation that took place in this location in the mid-1800s. Now proceed 3 more steps along the path, and stop. Look to the left, and see a reasonably wide opening between the rocks. Walk through the opening down over the jumble of small rocks, stopping at the last rock in the jumble. Look immediately to your right and notice one loose rock at the base of a much larger boulder - beneath this loose rock, you'll find your prize - Ziggy's stone wedge!
Box #4 “The Big Rock”
Proceed along the trail, noting the old foundations on the left and the old beaver pond on the right, now returning to a meadow-state. Continue following this trail as it winds around a large hollow on the right. A massive glacial erratic is coming into view ahead. Note also that you are now walking on a portion of the Bay Circuit Trail, a 200 mile path that runs from Plum Island to Duxbury. When you arrive at the erratic, notice the massive crack on its north face. Now, standing with your back against the crack, proceed 20 paces at 30 degrees, following the path. Stop at the oak on the left and look left. Do you see a rock with a piece missing? Behind this rock, on its SW side, under a small pile of rocks, you’ll find your prize!
Box #5 “Snake”
Follow the trail roughly northwards – you’re now on your way back to the starting point! Note that a new trail has recently been built in this vicinity and you'll need to be careful to take a left at the first 3-way intersection. Look for the large sign on the tree that says "AVIS Skug River Reservation" - that's the way to go! Pass through a stone wall and then climb the “rock stairway” at 30 degrees. Continue along the trail, eventually arriving at a large cairn (a large pile of rocks typically used to help indicate a trail above the tree line). On the south side of the cairn, under some bark, you’ll find your prize – ssssssssssssssssss!
Box #6 “Entrance to the Skug Reservation”
Continue following the path, eventually ascending a steep pitch, proceeding along the ridge, and then descending gently through the pines. At the T-intersection, take a right, noting the Bay Circuit Trail marker. You’re nearly back to the start! Pass through a stone wall and take a sharp left, noting a seasonal swamp on the right. Proceed approximately 50 yard and turn right through the stone wall – you may recognize that you’ve been here before! Start watching for a large pine on the right and a “pointer” on the left. The pointer is pointing to a secret path on the right – follow it a short distance to the beginning of the swamp bridge. Behind the giant “V” you’ll find your final prize! Please stamp in to our journal!
Return to the main trail, take a right, cross the long boardwalk and you’ll be back to the parking lot. We hope you liked our letterboxing series!
Hike length: 1-2 miles
Welcome to our first letter box series – Fun in the Skug. Please bring your own stamp pad, we have not supplied one. We’ve tried to create stamps that tie to some of what you’ll see along the way and we’ve tried to provide some additional information in the clues that will hopefully enhance your enjoyment of the walk! Note that some of the clues use compass headings to make things a bit easier in some instances, but you should be able to find all of the boxes without one. Be sure to bring bug spray and check yourself for ticks when you’re done – standard fare these days! Finally, please let us know what you thought in the journal, which you’ll find in the last box.
Start at the main entrance to the AVIS Skug River Reservation (http://www.avisandover.org/skug.html) on Salem Street in Andover.
Box #1 “Hornidge Bridge”
Standing in the parking lot, note the informational kiosk that highlights a few of the sights of the Skug Reservation. Proceed into the Skug Reservation, crossing a long boardwalk across a life-filled swamp. After a short distance, you’ll pass through a stone wall just before a T-intersection. Take a right and then an immediate left, noting the very old AVIS Bridges Trail sign high in the tree on your left.
Proceed straight ahead on the trail and prepare to "walk the plank! Step up onto the first plank, if you dare. Cautiously proceed to the end of the 5th plank... count carefully! Now stop, and look to your right. Note the ominous warning sign deep in the murky woods: "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here!" Remaining at the end of the 5th plank, cast your gaze down a bit from the sign, to a rock directly in front of you, that appears to have a piece removed. Here, just behind the curious stone, you'll find your first prize - an image of the historic Hornidge Bridge, which you are about to take across the mighty Skug River. This bridge is named after Marta and Dick Hornidge, longtime wardens of the Skug Reservation.
Notice that this bridge has been raised and extended multiple times to keep up with the very active beavers in the area! Luckily a great Eagle Scout named Matt Quartararo build the new walkway extension that you are you will use after cross the river - but proceed slowly - your next prize is near!
Box #2 “The Industrious Beaver”
Cross the river and follow the boardwalk as it turns to the left. In just a few steps, start watching carefully for an ancient timber on a deserted island. The timber is marked by curious gold letters - what do they mean? Carefully make your way to the deserted island... buried behind the ancient timber is your second treasure!
While you claim your prize on the island, look across the river to see an old lodge house - who lived inside?
Box #3 “Ziggy's Stone Wedge”
Now return to the boardwalk and continue your journey, eventually taking a sharp right turn into the very heart of Harold Parker State Forest! Note that the next box is pretty far away, so relax and enjoy the views as you walk!
After a while you’ll pass through a stone wall just before a T-intersection with an old forest road. Turn left on this forest road, proceeding down a small hill and eventually arriving at a 3-way intersection. (Interesting note: the trail to the right brings you to in about 50 yards to the swampy edge of Bear Pond, one of only 2 non-manmade ponds in Harold Parker State Forest (the other is Berry Pond)).
To proceed to the next stamp, bear left at 120 degrees at this 3-way intersection. As you walk notice the impact of the beaver flooding off to your left. Follow the trail up a slight incline and then a moderate curve to the left. Shortly you’ll come to another 3-way intersection.
Take the smaller path to the left and listen for the sound of flowing water. Immediately on the left notice the remains of an old sawmill foundation where the Skug River once powered a water wheel, driving a saw to cut timber. Also notice the massive beaver dam, now perfectly positioned to hold back the water. Proceed along the trail, following the river downstream. Watch for the bridge crossing the Skug River on the left. Cross this bridge and pause at the intersection - you are close!
On the path to the right, proceed 13 paces from the intersection, and look to the left. See the rock with the unusual man-made crack down the middle - evidence of the soapstone quarrying operation that took place in this location in the mid-1800s. Now proceed 3 more steps along the path, and stop. Look to the left, and see a reasonably wide opening between the rocks. Walk through the opening down over the jumble of small rocks, stopping at the last rock in the jumble. Look immediately to your right and notice one loose rock at the base of a much larger boulder - beneath this loose rock, you'll find your prize - Ziggy's stone wedge!
Box #4 “The Big Rock”
Proceed along the trail, noting the old foundations on the left and the old beaver pond on the right, now returning to a meadow-state. Continue following this trail as it winds around a large hollow on the right. A massive glacial erratic is coming into view ahead. Note also that you are now walking on a portion of the Bay Circuit Trail, a 200 mile path that runs from Plum Island to Duxbury. When you arrive at the erratic, notice the massive crack on its north face. Now, standing with your back against the crack, proceed 20 paces at 30 degrees, following the path. Stop at the oak on the left and look left. Do you see a rock with a piece missing? Behind this rock, on its SW side, under a small pile of rocks, you’ll find your prize!
Box #5 “Snake”
Follow the trail roughly northwards – you’re now on your way back to the starting point! Note that a new trail has recently been built in this vicinity and you'll need to be careful to take a left at the first 3-way intersection. Look for the large sign on the tree that says "AVIS Skug River Reservation" - that's the way to go! Pass through a stone wall and then climb the “rock stairway” at 30 degrees. Continue along the trail, eventually arriving at a large cairn (a large pile of rocks typically used to help indicate a trail above the tree line). On the south side of the cairn, under some bark, you’ll find your prize – ssssssssssssssssss!
Box #6 “Entrance to the Skug Reservation”
Continue following the path, eventually ascending a steep pitch, proceeding along the ridge, and then descending gently through the pines. At the T-intersection, take a right, noting the Bay Circuit Trail marker. You’re nearly back to the start! Pass through a stone wall and take a sharp left, noting a seasonal swamp on the right. Proceed approximately 50 yard and turn right through the stone wall – you may recognize that you’ve been here before! Start watching for a large pine on the right and a “pointer” on the left. The pointer is pointing to a secret path on the right – follow it a short distance to the beginning of the swamp bridge. Behind the giant “V” you’ll find your final prize! Please stamp in to our journal!
Return to the main trail, take a right, cross the long boardwalk and you’ll be back to the parking lot. We hope you liked our letterboxing series!
Hike length: 1-2 miles