Sign Up  /  Login

Dimple Hill LbNA #6700

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Dec 10, 2003
Location:
City:Corvallis
County:Benton
State:Oregon
Boxes:1
Planted by:Zbynek
Found by: Not yet found!
Last found:N/A
Last edited:Dec 10, 2003
!*!*! I have had an unverified report that the box is missing as of 06/25/06. I will try to check it out soon and repost an update. !*!*!

This letterbox is placed in Oregon State University’s 7,000-acre McDonald Research Forest on Dimple Hill northwest of Corvallis Oregon.

Some History …
Dimple Hill is one of the main attractions in McDonald Forest and includes view of Corvallis, Philomath, the Willamette Valley south to Eugene, Marys Peak and the Coast Range, as well as the southern Cascades. It was originally named Jackson Hill by early settlers. It was also called Baldy due to the large open meadow on the south side. Folks in the College of Forestry called it Mitzie Point for a reason I do not know. The name Dimple Hill was given originally to the hill at the top of Chip Ross Park. Later, when that hill became known as IV Hill, the Dimple Hill name was transferred to the higher hill to the west.

How to find the trailhead …
You first need to locate Chip Ross Park in Corvallis. The park is located by traveling Northwest on Lewisburg Road off of Hwy 99 North of Corvallis. Turn left on Highland Drive, travel past Crescent Valley High School, at the top of the hill turn right on Lester Avenue. Chip Ross Park is at the very end of this road.

The Trail …
The preferred route to the top of Dimple Hill is by Dan’s Trail. It can by used by horses, mountain bikers, and hikers, but is limited to only hiking in the winter months from Oct 15 to Apr 15 due to muddy conditions. This trail was named for Dan Petrequin in 1994. Dan was a member of the McDonald Forest Trails Advisory Committee who put in many hours helping build trails throughout McDonald Forest. Dan’s favorite hiking / horseback riding destination was Dimple Hill. The trail begins at Chip Ross Park and climbs 3 miles over a 800ft rise in elevation to Dimple Hill. (There are steep areas as well as switchbacks. Due to this and the length of the hike, I’m classifying this letterbox as moderate. The hike is doable in a morning or afternoon. A bike ride is much quicker. Either way, bring a lunch and stay the day.)

Alternate Route …
If you are concerned about the mud, length, or would just rather use a graveled logging road to access Dimple Hill, you can take Patterson Rd to the top. This logging road is not vehicle accessible, so don’t think you can just drive there. It is about 2.5 miles in length and begins at the Lewisburg Saddle. To get to the saddle, follow Lewisburg Rd as before, but don’t turn onto Highland Drive. Instead, continue about 1-2 miles further and take a right onto Sulphur Springs Rd. (Right before the saddle is a speed reduction sign with another sign that says hill crest. There is parking on the right and oragne gates off either side of the road as well as information boards and a port-a-potty in case you forgot to go. OSU is kind enough to provide maps of the Forest so take one and begin your ascent.)

Letterbox Clues …
I hope you brought a compass, or you just climbed 3 miles for nothin’.
A large stone marks the end of Dan’s Trail. It has a dedicatory plaque to Dan that you should read. Take a compass reading at 330° Magnetic (M). You should see a bench in a clearing under some trees. Go sit on the bench, stand up and take another compass reading at 260° M. Take 15 paces in this direction and stand on the North side of the large tree. From here, take another reading at 290° M and walk 15 paces to a large, moss-covered stump. It has a large cavity in the top, but your treasure is hidden in a cavity at the base on the North side. Enjoy your hike / ride down the Hill!