Thacher Overlook LbNA #6400 (ARCHIVED)

*****BOX IS MISSING**** will replace soon

John Boyd Thacher State Park 1 Hailes Cave Road Voorheesville, NY 12186 Phone: (518) 872-1237 / Fax (518) 872-9133 John Boyd Thacher State Park, is situated along the Helderberg Escarpment, one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world. Even as it safeguards six miles of limestone cliff-face, rock-strewn slopes, woodland and open fields, the park provides a marvelous panorama of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and the Adirondack and Green Mountains. The park has an Olympic-sized pool, volleyball courts, playgrounds, ball fields and numerous picnic areas with nine reservable shelters. Interpretive programs are offered year-round, including guided tours of the famous Indian Ladder Trail. There are over twelve additional miles of trails for summer hiking and mountain biking, and winter cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and snowmobiling. Directions : On Route 157, off Rte. 85, 15 miles southwest of Albany. Seasons/Hours : The park is open year round, 8:00am until dusk. The Indian Ladder Trail is open from May 1 to November 15, weather permitting. All other trails are open year-round. Pets : Household pets only; caged or on a leash not more than 6 feet, rabies vaccination and proof of same required. Not permitted in buildings or bathing areas. Now the location of the letterbox: This is one of my favorite parks and if you seek my letterbox you soon see why. Don’t forget to pack a lunch or something to grill there are many open charcoal grills and picnic tables to choose from. The park is very large but the main attraction is the “Indian Ladder Trail” this is where you will start. You must find the entrance with steps of stone and not steel. You wont take the "ILT" but follow the wood fence to the North. This is a well beat in trail that follows the cliff’s edge take your time and take in the views along the way. After a while you will come across some natural stone steps that descend steeply. At the bottom of the decent look for the crack in the ground. From here find north on your compass this should show you a great view with birches in sight. After taking in the sights head due south to a rock ledge covered in moss (you may have to duck under and around a fallen tree) as the ledge works its way back to the ground look for a square peg that juts out to meet it. Where the square peg and the ledge meet under a reddish rock you will find the Thacher Overlook Letterbox. Hope you had a great time. Placement Date 11/10/03 Last Checked by owner 4/18/04