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Minnesota Valley - Bass Ponds LbNA #6999 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jan 24, 2004
Location:
City:Bloomington
County:Hennepin
State:Minnesota
Boxes:2
Planted by:Deb Rocks
Found by: Lemon Chicken
Last found:Aug 15, 2006
Status:FFFFFFaF
Last edited:Jan 24, 2004
NOTE: Both of these boxes have disapeared and it may have something to do with me having the name of the park in the title of the box. Too easy to find. At this point, I haven't decided on replacing them.

Not more than 10 miles from downtown Minneapolis lies a wilderness experience as primitive and natural as any state or national park. This spot is one of only a few urban wildlife refuges in the nation, a place where wild coyotes, bald eagles, badgers and beavers live next door to 2.2 million people.

Within this 34-mile corridor of marsh, grassland and forest, stretching from Bloomington to Jordan, you'll find miles of hiking, biking, horseback-riding and skiing trails.

The Bass Ponds site in Bloomington, was originally used to breed fish for stocking Minnesota lakes, this system of interconnected man-made ponds is now open to schools and visitors interested in studying nature and water management firsthand.

The gate to the lower parking lot is usually closed. You can park at the top of the hill and walk down to the beginning of the half-mile self-guided trail. This trail is where you’ll find the boxes.

This is a great place to bring the kids and/or walk the dog and an added bonus, if you’re into it, is the Mall of America, with great restaurants, shopping, movie theater and amusement park, less than a half mile away.

The Clues:

Box #1 - Leopard Frog (suggested colors; green & brown)

Not far down the trail
A sign on the left, you’ll see
“Dangerous water Keep Out”.
A short detour left,
Not too far off the trail, on the left,
Look for the “hollow giant”.
You’ll see several points of entry.
Find the lowest portal.
Your prize lies within.

Box #2 - Redwinged Blackbird (suggested colors; black, red, & yellow) NOTE: As of the last time I checked this box, 8/12/04, the arrow marker and numbers had been removed from the posts around Big Bass. This makes it a little harder to find the box but it should still be doable. Instead of turning back at the arrow marker to find the slumbering giant on your left, watch for him on your right. He's very near the path. If you reach the turn where you begin heading back towards the trailhead, you've gone too far.

Back on the main trail,
You’ll cross a creek,
Past 4 and 5
too soon to look.
Around Big Bass,
Stop at 6, enjoy the view.
Continue on, an arrow marker
And you’ve gone too far.
Stop.
Turn around, 8 paces back
To the feet of the “slumbering giant”,
On your left.
Search his “shoes”.