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Roy Rogers' Cougar Hunt LbNA #4294

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jun 6, 2003
Location:
City:Wofford Heights
County:Kern
State:California
Boxes:6
Planted by:PenGwen
Found by: JoySong (2)
Last found:Sep 29, 2018
Status:FFFF
Last edited:Jun 6, 2003

Note As far as I know the first 2 boxes in the series are gone. I have not been able to verify the others. Sorry, Gwen

10/23/2006 Spent the day in the beautiful high country checking on this series. All were in place and the road was in great shape with just a little bit of degradation near the end. 2X2 with good clearance is okay. No low slung sports cars though. We went all the way from Alta Sierra to Johnsondale via the back route.

During his early 20’s, Roy was sometimes rash and impetuous., but throughout his lifetime he was always courageous and steadfast with a “never give up” spirit.
If something went wrong Roy would stay at it until he could correct the wrong. Dedicated, determined and a bit stubborn could describe Roy Rogers.

This story starts when Roy and Dale were first dating. Prior to this Roy had only kissed his horse, Trigger. Roy met Dale Evans in the small mountain town of Alta Sierra. At that time, Dale was working in a little general store-café-road house and inn combination called Alten Crossroads. This well run establishment served the needs of the miners, ranchers and folks traveling over the Green Horn from Fresno into Kernville. Roy and a few pals were in Kernville trying to book themselves into the roadhouses to earn a few bucks and gain experience with their fledging cowboy band, called Sons of the Pioneers. They weren’t real good yet, but they were eager to sing for practically pennies to get exposure. Roy and the boys had been performing for miners and cowpokes in Old Kernville that was then known as Whiskey Flat. There were many saloons and Roy and the boys met with lots of encouragement, once the whiskey ran out and the folks sobered up enough to really listen to the harmony Roy and the boys created. A few weeks later, Roy was sitting around the juice bar one dang hot afternoon with his pals, having just come back from a swim with Trigger in the Kern River. It was Monday afternoon and the band had just finished a gig the previous night at Mama Pamie’s Roadhouse. Now jobless, Roy and his buddies decided they would head up to Green Horn Summit. They heard it was 20 degrees cooler up in the higher elevations and there was an Inn/cafe where they might find another booking. Gathering a few supplies, Roy and the boys saddled up their horses and rode up to the summit. Arriving near dark and not wanting to spend what money they had on lodgings, they found shelter near the Alten Inn under the fragrant cedars and pines. After giving the horses a handful of oats, they tied their horses up near by for the night. The next day Roy’s, buddy, Jacko, went to feed the horses their morning ration and couldn’t find the bag of oats. Critters must have dragged it way and consumed the oats. What to do? The men had their beans and coffee but the horses were hungry. Roy walked over to the general store /inn to see if there was any feed for sale. The boys would have to use their meager cash to buy oats for Trigger and the other horses. Guess who was tending store that morning? Right on, it was Dale and she looked real CUTE. Roy bought some feed, and struck up a conversation with Dale and the Inn’s owner, Scott. Roy impressed Scott enough to get a few nights work with the promise of more
work throughout the weekend if they sang well enough to bring in customers to the café. A deal was struck. Roy and the boys bunked in the employees’ dorm and the horses stayed for free in the corral with all the feed they required.

As the days advanced, Roy and Dale became quite sweet on each other and by Saturday they knew they had a special love. Dale bought Roy a pair of new boots and Roy gave Dale a nice pair of white gloves and a simple straw hat.

Come Sunday, the boys had some coins in their pockets and were hankering for some whiskey and the only place they could get it was down in Old Kernville. Roy didn’t drink
spirits so he and the boys decided to split up for a few weeks. Roy told Jacko to try and line up some work down in Bakersfield after they ran out of money in Old Kernville. Roy would meet the boys in a few weeks at little Buck Owens’ mother’s Saloon, called the Victoria Palace.

So Roy stayed on at the Alten Inn, having been offered work-singing solo. Prior to Roy’s arrival and during the time Roy and the boys were performing at the Roadhouse, there had been sightings of a cougar. It had been preying on the ranchers’ young cattle, going after the lambs and had even stalked two women who were out getting water. That cat was causing quite a stir! Roy decided he would show his hunting prowess and track down the cougar so he left the next morning with Trigger. Roy dismounted to answer “Natures Call” near a rock outcropping. Just as he was turning around to return to Trigger the cougar appeared as if from out of nowhere! The big cat leaped upon Roy, knocking him down. Roy tried to get his pistol out of his holster but it was knocked out of his hand and lost. Trigger reared up on his hind legs to help defend Roy but in doing so the cinch came loose and the saddle slipped off and fell down the cliff side. The cougar pressed his attack and Roy, rolling on the ground, could only defend himself by kicking at the huge beast. Roy was finally able to fend off the big cat by his constant kicking and the cat, afraid of Trigger and the determined Roy, ran off with Trigger chasing him. Roy whistled for his faithful steed and then rode bare back to Alta Sierra. When Dale met him at the Alten Inn he was a fright. His clothes were torn, weapon was gone, saddle was missing but worst of all, the cougar had shredded Roy’s new boots! These were the very boots Dale had just given him. Roy was very disgusted with himself for being bested by the cougar and for the damage done to his new boots. After Roy had gotten cleaned up and had a big glass of milk he vowed to find that cougar and slay him even if it took 40 days and 40 nights. Dale said, "Oh, Roy you are my hero”. With that, Roy put his singing career on hold and the next day he began the long search for his lost pistol, the saddle and the big cat.

The old Roy Rogers smile was missing, instead his face was set in a attitude of perseverance and determination. Day after day Roy rode out into the mountains, tracking the cougar, often camping for several nights out in the open, always vigilant and determined. He had time to think about his future and he knew if he could find the cougar, he would surely win Dale’s white-gloved hand.

Roy was able to find the big cat’s trail during the first 10 days or so but each time he picked up a fresh trail, it would disappear. Roy and Trigger kept tracking the cat.
Day after day, Roy continued, 31, 32, 33 days and each day the same. Finally on day 39 he found a fresh trail and all of a sudden the big cat appeared near his lair. The cougar leaped at Roy again. This time Roy was prepared and a shot rang out. The cougar would do no more harm. Roy slung the big cat across his saddle and proudly rode back to town.
The townsfolk saw him ride in and gathered around to praise him for the hero that he was. (The end of the story will be in the last box.) Let your hunt begin.

We suggest you read the story at each box stop or just before the last box to keep it fresh in your mind…and so you get good and tired of it!

Cautions and General Information

These six boxes are practically drive bys but the time needed to complete the drive to the boxes will be about 3 hours. If you fail to find one box, you can proceed to the other sites. The last box finishes the story and you won’t want to miss that!

From Evans Road, it will take about 20-30 minutes to get to the Green Horn Summit from the main highway in Wofford Heights. Once you reach the summit, the mileage to the last box is 12 miles, but the drive is slow going over sometimes asphalt and often-rutted dirt roads. Don’t bring the Caddy. We have a 4 X 4 but have traveled the road easily in a 2 X 2.

Mountain bikers are in for a treat. Have somebody else drive while you ride portions of the road. A Forest Service map of the area would be very helpful. There is an office in Kernville and at Isabella Lake. The maps are under $10.

Gas up and bring adequate water and food. There isthe Green Horn Grill near the summit,(summer and winter hours, Check for schedule. There are no other stores at the Green Horn. There are rustic restrooms at Green Horn Summit to the left near Ranger Station and a concrete picnic table across from the Sand shed. You may want to check out Shirley Meadows Ski area. Flashlights will be needed for an optional activity. There are plenty of places to have a picnic, just find a wide spot on the road or explore a side road. There are campgrounds in the area if you want to spend the weekend in the high country.Keep your eyes open for bears. We saw plenty of sign !

Two other boxes are located near by that involve hikes of about 2 miles round trip each: The Unal Trail and Coccinellidae.

Use extreme caution on the narrow roads. You will encounter logging trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles so drive slowly. Take your time and enjoy the mountain air and scenery. The search for these boxes is about a scenic mountain drive. You might see some wildlife so take precautions when probing and walking about. When we planted these boxes we saw, deer, coyote, rattlesnake, ladybug hatch and lots of cattle. Don’t drink from any creek.

Terrain: some inclines but mostly flat, elevation is 6000 feet + so go slowly.

Best time to go: These are 3 season boxes. The Forest Service locks the pipe gates during the winter and the only access is via cross country skis or a very long hike. You can access the first 2 boxes in the winter as the road is plowed to the summit.

Are you still with us? Finally, read the clues carefully before you head out and notify us if you have questions. We would like to hear from you before or after your search.

Directions to Green Horn Summit and the Clues to the boxes.

From Wofford Heights, (in the mountains up 178 from Bakersfield)turn uphill on to State Route 155 and carefully drive 7.5 miles to the Green Horn Summit, passing the alpine area of Alta Sierra and Green Horn Mountain Park. Look for the sign that says Rancheria Road, Shirley Meadows and Green Horn Summit. Look to the right for the large aluminum rectangular building that says “Green Horn Mountain Sand Shed”. Turn right on to the road beyond the shed. It is 24S15. Keep track of this number.

Box 1(MISSING) Park near the Sand shed or by the first green Forest Service pipe gate near the sign cluster just beyond the Sand shed. Go to the northeast corner of the Sand shed. Walk 35 paces at 95 degrees(Your compass reading can be thrown off by the metal building)ending up near a double trunked tall oak tree. Carefully probe in the hole for the box near the base of the tree towards the left side of hole.

Box 2 Walk to the green Forest Service pipe gate. Note the sign on the right that says,“Campfire permits required, Pack out trash, Thank you.” That’s what the sign said when we were there, but these signs change so just look for the big brown Forest Service message sign quite near the pipe gate.

Go to the backside of the huge tree lying on the embankment to your right, behind and above the sign. Starting at the root end of the fallen tree, go about 15 paces along the tree length to where the tree rests against a standing pine tree. The box is under the log and covered with little tree limbs and duff, just about in the middle of where the standing tree lines up with the fallen one. Do your stamp thing and head on back to the vehicle for the ride to Portuguese Pass turnoff.

The road you are on, 24S15 is dirt and will be like this until you reach Portuguese Pass Turnoff. Enjoy the scenery but pay attention to signs and set your odometer. First sign is at 1.1 miles from Sand Shed. Continue left toward Tiger Flat. At 4.2 miles pass F.S.23S06 then an elevation sign for 6400 feet. At 7 miles there is another F.S. pipe gate, continue on road. At 7.2 miles the sign for
Portuguese Pass is right in front of you with a road to left and right. Note the asphalt now. Park off the road and observe the sign at the right hand road for Frog Meadow, Johnsondale and Green Horn Summit.

Box 3 Mosey on over to the Portuguese’s Pass sign at the middle of the “T” intersection and stand behind it and the reddish-brown ladder like framework. Take out your compass and head out 8 paces at 280 degrees to the big pine tree. Then 20 paces at 270 degrees. See that tangled old tree stump with the V cut right at the top? The box is on the west side of the stump under some bark. Careful around here; rattlesnakes are about. Probe with a stick to catch Trigger.

After rounding up Trigger you are going to need Roy’s saddle so get back in your buggy and take that right hand road we talked about above; the one that starts out with Frog Meadow. Etc. You will pass a campground on your right at about 8/10 of a mile from the Frog Meadow sign. Soon you will come to a sign that reads: Frog Meadow 5, Tobias Lookout 5, Johnsondale 22.

Box 4 Park and look up to the upper road and the green F.S. pipe gate. Walk on up there and stand with your back against the tall red post. Take 10 paces downhill, (yes south) to the small gray speckled boulder group at the left side of the road. Probe between the 2 bigger rocks for Trigger’s saddle, moving the smaller rocks that cover the box. Stamp in and cover up the box real good. Back to your car and take a look at the road to your right going downhill; that’s your next turn, towards Johnsondale. Set your odometer, your drive will be one mile. You are now on 23S16 and as you descend the hill a Yurt materializes on your left. Check it out if you want but get back to the vehicle ASAP as the game is still a foot. Keep on going down hill and shortly on your right is a large clearing. The clearing is dirt, so leave the asphalt and pull in near the trees on your right. Time to stretch those legs again and oh, yea, grab another stamp.

Box 5 Right near the primary road and the clearing are 2 trees growing close together; then a little bit away are three trees growing close together about 12 paces in from the clearing. Head over to the trio and look for a tiny canister under the rock at the base of the southern most tree on the west side. Got it? You’ve almost completed you search!

As you may have noticed, the clearing is really a wide entrance to another road that is almost hidden. This leads you to the Cougar’s lair. Note the skeleton like tree, a remnant of a fire that raced through here a few years back. Drive towards the gnarly old skeleton tree and follow the little dirt road that heads around a little hill and then on down the hill. Caution: Parts of this road are rutted and narrow. After bumping and lurching along for a little bit you will reach a clearing; turn right still going down hill and quickly now you will be at the green F.S. pipe gate. You may hear a creek to your right and left but it will be difficult to see it due to the brush and steepness of the gully. Park and prepare yourself for contact with the Big Cat if you dare.

Box 6 At the F.S. green pipe gate and Road Closed sign, take 50 paces back up the road to the rocky cliff side on your left. You may pass a small pine tree growing on the side of the road. Then stop just before the first and smaller of 2 cedar trees a few paces away from the little pine. Walk towards cliff face, note the angular tilted reddish rocky protrusion about 6 feet up, and just left of and a bit above the first little cedar tree. The cougar is hiding in the rocks. Climb up carefully; it is just 6 feet or so; and reach into the cavity. Look for a gray rock that doesn’t match the reddish rocks. Behind that rock and a few little ones is the Big Cat. Please re-hide the Cougar with the gray rock marker.

If you don’t want to or can’t do the optional activity, and you need a picnic spot, there is a big meadow area once you are back to the big clearing where the pistol was hidden.
From that big clearing, continue on the asphalt down hill. The area opens up due to the fire but it is a nice place now with a little seasonal creek and if you don’t mind sharing it with cattle, it would make a good rest stop before you head back. We hope you have enjoyed the hunt.

When researching our clues please be aware that when previous searchers list “ATTEMPTED” on the clue sheets it may reflect more on their abilities as finders than indicate whether the box is viable or not. We do monitor our clues and boxes pretty well and appreciate the notes written to us by those that find or attempt our letterboxes.

Please contact placer directly or through the LBNA chat list regarding status rather than unofficial data bases. Up to date status can only be ascertained from placer as other information services will not have current data. Listing information about this letterbox on unauthorized information services is not appreciated by the placer.