Hogwarts' Houses Letterbox Series LbNA #56076
Map
Nearby Boxes
Add Note
Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Oct 10, 2010 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Goshen |
| County: | Hampshire |
| State: | Massachusetts |
| Boxes: | 4 |
| Planted by: | Mama Moon  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | Girl Scout Troop 11172 (4) |
| Last found: | Jun 22, 2012 |
| Status: | FFFFFa |
| Last edited: | Oct 10, 2010 |
Hogwarts’ Houses Letterbox Series
Number of boxes: 4 (Logbook is in the last box)
Location: DAR State Forest, Rte. 112, Goshen, MA
Date Placed: October 10, 2010 by Mama Moon
Time: About an hour and a half
Difficulty: Easy (some parts of the trail have lots of roots)
Directions: DAR State forest is located on Rte. 112, just off of Rte. 9, in Goshen. As you enter the park, depending on the time of year, you can park in the first parking lot off to your left at the entrance shack. If it’s wintertime, this is as far as you will be able to go in your vehicle. If you’re able to access the whole park via the paved roadway, continue down and take your next left which is the “Boat Ramp”. There is parking available there. Be sure to grab a Trail Map before you begin, available at either parking locations or ask for one from the park attendant on your way into the park. You could also print one via this link before you leave home: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/darf.htm click on Trail Map for the appropriate season of your visit.
Clues: The trail you will begin on is the Highland Lake Trail (on map). The signage in the park denotes it as the Handicap Accessible Trail. If you parked in the first parking lot, you will need to walk down the beach and across the grassy damn to the boat launch area where you will find the entrance to this trail.
Box #1 “Gryffindor”: Enter the “Forbidden Forest” on the path guarded by two tall trees standing straight. Pass the ‘easy’ sign and follow the blue trail markers. You will pass over a dried creek bed and several decrepit benches along the way, but keep going until you come to what looks like a rock sculpture at a place where the trail forks down to the water. This “rock” is really some forest creature petrified by a rogue spell. Continue past the “creature” on the main trail a short way and keep an eye on the left side of the trail for a unique bendy tree. Inside the hollows of this tree you will find “Gryffindor” standing brave and true. After you have found what you seek be sure to hide it well, safe from the view of muggles, continue on down the trail. You may notice the upturned roots of a fallen tree off to your right, better keep moving; it could be the entrance to Aragog’s lair! Follow this trail until you reach the paved road at the other side of the ‘forest’.
Box #2 “Ravenclaw”: Once you reach the paved roadway (Campground Rd. on map), turn left down the road and enter the “Long Trail”. The lake will be on your left and the roadway to your right. Continue on the trail until you see two brown buildings through the trees on your right. Just passed this you will see a cluster of fallen trees and branches knocked down by the trolls. Across the trail from this is a dead tree stump, about 9 steps behind this stump is a birch tree with a hole near its base. In the hole is Ravenclaws’ House crest symbolizing knowledge and intelligence. Please be sure to cover with leaves and bark so as not to be found by the trolls!!
Box #3 “Slytherin”: As you continue on the “Long Trail” you will come to a dirt roadway that will lead you down to a beach area (Camper’s Beach on map). Follow this down to the water but watch out for Dementors floating over the lake; have your wand and patronus charm ready (Expecto patronum!). From the beach, go in the direction of “Al’s Chapel”. Stay on this trail until you come to a place where a stonewall runs on both sides of the path. Along the stonewall to your right, go to the 2nd tree stump. “Slytherin” is coiled at the base on the backside of this stump under some pine needles and bark. Be sure to hide well!
Box #4 “Hufflepuff”: Hard work, patience, friendship, and fair play are valued by fellow Hufflepuffs. Are you a Hufflepuff? Where would the Sorting Hat sort you? As you continue on up this trail you will eventually come to a stone bench off to your right, stop and sit a spell and ponder which house you belong in; Are you courageous and loyal as a Gryffindor? Do you possess knowledge and intelligence like the Ravenclaws? Or are you as cunning, ambitious, and resourceful as the Slytherins? When you think you’ve figured it out, continue following the blue markers with the lake to your left. The trail will start to head uphill away from the water. As you get to the top of the hill and before you start to go back downhill, you will see a large 3-trunked tree off the trail to your right. “Hufflepuff” and logbook are hidden in the center of the three trunks accessible from the backside of the tree. After you have stamped-in, please be sure to hide well and cover with leaves, pine needles, and bark.
If you continue on this trail it will meet up with “Fisher Trail” which will take you back out to the paved Campground Rd. or you can turn around and return the way you came. I hope you enjoyed the adventure!
Number of boxes: 4 (Logbook is in the last box)
Location: DAR State Forest, Rte. 112, Goshen, MA
Date Placed: October 10, 2010 by Mama Moon
Time: About an hour and a half
Difficulty: Easy (some parts of the trail have lots of roots)
Directions: DAR State forest is located on Rte. 112, just off of Rte. 9, in Goshen. As you enter the park, depending on the time of year, you can park in the first parking lot off to your left at the entrance shack. If it’s wintertime, this is as far as you will be able to go in your vehicle. If you’re able to access the whole park via the paved roadway, continue down and take your next left which is the “Boat Ramp”. There is parking available there. Be sure to grab a Trail Map before you begin, available at either parking locations or ask for one from the park attendant on your way into the park. You could also print one via this link before you leave home: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/darf.htm click on Trail Map for the appropriate season of your visit.
Clues: The trail you will begin on is the Highland Lake Trail (on map). The signage in the park denotes it as the Handicap Accessible Trail. If you parked in the first parking lot, you will need to walk down the beach and across the grassy damn to the boat launch area where you will find the entrance to this trail.
Box #1 “Gryffindor”: Enter the “Forbidden Forest” on the path guarded by two tall trees standing straight. Pass the ‘easy’ sign and follow the blue trail markers. You will pass over a dried creek bed and several decrepit benches along the way, but keep going until you come to what looks like a rock sculpture at a place where the trail forks down to the water. This “rock” is really some forest creature petrified by a rogue spell. Continue past the “creature” on the main trail a short way and keep an eye on the left side of the trail for a unique bendy tree. Inside the hollows of this tree you will find “Gryffindor” standing brave and true. After you have found what you seek be sure to hide it well, safe from the view of muggles, continue on down the trail. You may notice the upturned roots of a fallen tree off to your right, better keep moving; it could be the entrance to Aragog’s lair! Follow this trail until you reach the paved road at the other side of the ‘forest’.
Box #2 “Ravenclaw”: Once you reach the paved roadway (Campground Rd. on map), turn left down the road and enter the “Long Trail”. The lake will be on your left and the roadway to your right. Continue on the trail until you see two brown buildings through the trees on your right. Just passed this you will see a cluster of fallen trees and branches knocked down by the trolls. Across the trail from this is a dead tree stump, about 9 steps behind this stump is a birch tree with a hole near its base. In the hole is Ravenclaws’ House crest symbolizing knowledge and intelligence. Please be sure to cover with leaves and bark so as not to be found by the trolls!!
Box #3 “Slytherin”: As you continue on the “Long Trail” you will come to a dirt roadway that will lead you down to a beach area (Camper’s Beach on map). Follow this down to the water but watch out for Dementors floating over the lake; have your wand and patronus charm ready (Expecto patronum!). From the beach, go in the direction of “Al’s Chapel”. Stay on this trail until you come to a place where a stonewall runs on both sides of the path. Along the stonewall to your right, go to the 2nd tree stump. “Slytherin” is coiled at the base on the backside of this stump under some pine needles and bark. Be sure to hide well!
Box #4 “Hufflepuff”: Hard work, patience, friendship, and fair play are valued by fellow Hufflepuffs. Are you a Hufflepuff? Where would the Sorting Hat sort you? As you continue on up this trail you will eventually come to a stone bench off to your right, stop and sit a spell and ponder which house you belong in; Are you courageous and loyal as a Gryffindor? Do you possess knowledge and intelligence like the Ravenclaws? Or are you as cunning, ambitious, and resourceful as the Slytherins? When you think you’ve figured it out, continue following the blue markers with the lake to your left. The trail will start to head uphill away from the water. As you get to the top of the hill and before you start to go back downhill, you will see a large 3-trunked tree off the trail to your right. “Hufflepuff” and logbook are hidden in the center of the three trunks accessible from the backside of the tree. After you have stamped-in, please be sure to hide well and cover with leaves, pine needles, and bark.
If you continue on this trail it will meet up with “Fisher Trail” which will take you back out to the paved Campground Rd. or you can turn around and return the way you came. I hope you enjoyed the adventure!