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Martinez Canyon LbNA #56430

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Nov 12, 2010
Location:
City:Pagosa Springs
County:Archuleta
State:Colorado
Boxes:1
Planted by:Me N The Wiz
Found by: The 2nd Chancers
Last found:Aug 20, 2013
Status:FFFFaOFFF
Last edited:Nov 12, 2010
The Martinez Canyon area is well-known to local residents, but has never been publicized by the Forest Service, so it remains relatively obscure. Martinez Canyon itself is on the edge of the larger Turkey Springs area, and it is possible to cross the canyon and climb up the other side for miles of hiking or mountain bike riding. When there is snow on the ground, it probably will not be possible to find.

To reach the Martinez Canyon letterbox (distances are approximate):

Start in downtown Pagosa Springs and head west on highway 160 until you get to the Country Center commercial area, where the large City Market store can be seen on your right. Turn right at the light and start heading north on North Pagosa Blvd. After about one mile, turn left on Lake Forest Circle, which winds downhill and around a small reservoir/lake on the right. Go a few more blocks after the lake, and then turn left on Arrowhead Ct. In two blocks, turn left on San Jose Ct., which ends almost immediately in a parking area next to the Forest Service green gate and trailhead.

Go through the gate, and start walking the trail. This is a relatively open mixed forest, with primarily Ponderosa pine and Gambol oak, with a few stands of aspen and fir seen as well.

The trail takes a sharp turn to the right immediately, and then shortly another sharp turn to the left. About 100 yards or so from that turn, you will see four large Ponderosa pines, two of which share a common stump. Take the trail that goes off to the left just beyond those trees, and follow it about one quarter mile. When you get in sight of the canyon rim, you will go through a trail intersection where several trails come together. Continue directly to the canyon rim, where you will find an open viewpoint of the canyon marked by a fire ring and two large standing dead pines.

After you have enjoyed the view, turn left (generally south), and start walking along the rim of the canyon. This canyon cuts through a layer of rock called Pictured Cliffs Sandstone, and there are many pretty blocks of sandstone that line the rim.

After a short distance, you will need to step over a dead tree lying perpendicular to your direction of travel. From there, you can see a medium sized fir tree straight ahead of you which is leaning toward the left. Walk toward that tree, and look down below the rim on your right where you will see an old burned-out stump about six feet high just below the rim. (4/11/12 update: This stump has fallen over this winter, and is now lying on the ground. It is still visible from the same spot, so the directions have not changed!) Walk down to that stump and turn around and look back up toward the rim. There is a medium-sized sandstone block between the stump and the leaning tree that has an overhang at ground level that pinches out on the right side. The letterbox can be found where the overhang pinches out, and it is hidden by a flat rock.

Please bring your own ink pad, and be discrete if there are people around. And please do record your find when you get back home!