3 Old Maples LbNA #58079 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | Blaze  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Aug 13, 2020 |
| Location: | North Chagrin Reservation: Wilson Mills Trailhead |
| City: | Gates Mills |
| County: | Cuyahoga |
| State: | Ohio |
| Boxes: | 3 |
| Found by: | Blaze |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Oct 22, 2013 |
| Status: | FFFOr |
| Last edited: | Aug 15, 2020 |
Difficulty: mostly moderate, partly challenging. Not recommended for young children.
Precautions: very steep, rooted terrain; poison ivy, heavy mud in spring.
Time: about 45 minutes.
Go to the Wilson Mills Trail Head of Cleveland Metroparks' North Chagrin Reservation. This can be reached by taking I-271 to the Wilson Mills exit and turning east on Wilson Mills Road. After the traffic light at the intersection of Rt. 91 (SOM Center Rd.) you will begin a downhill descent of around 2 miles. Just before reaching a "T" at the 3-way stop sign, you will see a sign for the Wilson Mills Trail Head on the left. Park in this lot.
MAPLE LEAF LETTERBOX
Cross the small bridge at the northeast edge of the parking lot and begin walking north on the dirt bridle trail, which is also part of Ohio's Buckeye Trail. Soon you will notice wetlands on both sides of your trail. There will be a gradual elevation change--upwards! After a slight curve to the l left you will briefly be hiking parallel to the paved APT, close by on the left. When the trails part ways, watch carefully for a very steep narrow trail on the right side of your trail, partially hidden behind vegetation. Part the branches and begin climbing the rooted "stairway" up to a ridge. (CAUTION: Some of the vegetation is poison ivy!)
This twisty trail up the ridge will pass a wide clearing, then level a bit. Pass 3 large beech trees - 2 on the right, 1 on the left. Keep walking along the ridge. When you come to a very large tree in the center of the trail, count about 35 single paces and approach a huge maple tree on your left, right at the edge of the ridge. On the side facing the dropoff, the Maple Leaf Letterbox hides in a skinny crevice.
MAPLE TREE LETTERBOX
Now walk away from the edge. Cross over the trail you were on.
Continuing in a basically southern direction, watch for a less-used trail; follow it. When the trail reaches another drop-off on the other side of the clearing, it will continue to the left along that edge and through a short section of undergrowth--mostly young maple seedlings. The trail narrows, then opens up as it heads steeply downward to the right.
When you reach the bottom of the hill there is a 4-way trail "crossroads" (your trail going straight up another hill). Turn right onto the slightly wider trail. Shortly, watch for a huge maple tree on the right, about 40 paces off the trail. Begin walking towards that big tree. Maple Tree Letterbox is hidden among some rocks and leaves in a hollow recess at the base of its trunk.
Continue basically east on the trail you were on, which becomes VERY muddy during rainy seasons. You will need to step over at least 15 fallen trees of various sizes. When the trail ends, turn left onto the bridle trail, which heads back to the parking lot.
MAPLE SYRUP LETTERBOX
Just after passing the wetlands, watch for a blue blaze on a tree on the left. About 10 paces later, see a huge maple tree on the left, right beside the trail. The Maple Syrup Letterbox is inside the very obvious crevice at the base of the tree.
To reach the parking lot, keep going south on the Buckeye Trail.
Hike length: 2-3 miles
Precautions: very steep, rooted terrain; poison ivy, heavy mud in spring.
Time: about 45 minutes.
Go to the Wilson Mills Trail Head of Cleveland Metroparks' North Chagrin Reservation. This can be reached by taking I-271 to the Wilson Mills exit and turning east on Wilson Mills Road. After the traffic light at the intersection of Rt. 91 (SOM Center Rd.) you will begin a downhill descent of around 2 miles. Just before reaching a "T" at the 3-way stop sign, you will see a sign for the Wilson Mills Trail Head on the left. Park in this lot.
MAPLE LEAF LETTERBOX
Cross the small bridge at the northeast edge of the parking lot and begin walking north on the dirt bridle trail, which is also part of Ohio's Buckeye Trail. Soon you will notice wetlands on both sides of your trail. There will be a gradual elevation change--upwards! After a slight curve to the l left you will briefly be hiking parallel to the paved APT, close by on the left. When the trails part ways, watch carefully for a very steep narrow trail on the right side of your trail, partially hidden behind vegetation. Part the branches and begin climbing the rooted "stairway" up to a ridge. (CAUTION: Some of the vegetation is poison ivy!)
This twisty trail up the ridge will pass a wide clearing, then level a bit. Pass 3 large beech trees - 2 on the right, 1 on the left. Keep walking along the ridge. When you come to a very large tree in the center of the trail, count about 35 single paces and approach a huge maple tree on your left, right at the edge of the ridge. On the side facing the dropoff, the Maple Leaf Letterbox hides in a skinny crevice.
MAPLE TREE LETTERBOX
Now walk away from the edge. Cross over the trail you were on.
Continuing in a basically southern direction, watch for a less-used trail; follow it. When the trail reaches another drop-off on the other side of the clearing, it will continue to the left along that edge and through a short section of undergrowth--mostly young maple seedlings. The trail narrows, then opens up as it heads steeply downward to the right.
When you reach the bottom of the hill there is a 4-way trail "crossroads" (your trail going straight up another hill). Turn right onto the slightly wider trail. Shortly, watch for a huge maple tree on the right, about 40 paces off the trail. Begin walking towards that big tree. Maple Tree Letterbox is hidden among some rocks and leaves in a hollow recess at the base of its trunk.
Continue basically east on the trail you were on, which becomes VERY muddy during rainy seasons. You will need to step over at least 15 fallen trees of various sizes. When the trail ends, turn left onto the bridle trail, which heads back to the parking lot.
MAPLE SYRUP LETTERBOX
Just after passing the wetlands, watch for a blue blaze on a tree on the left. About 10 paces later, see a huge maple tree on the left, right beside the trail. The Maple Syrup Letterbox is inside the very obvious crevice at the base of the tree.
To reach the parking lot, keep going south on the Buckeye Trail.
Hike length: 2-3 miles