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Hidden Pond Nature Center LbNA #822

Owner:paper trail
Plant date:Mar 24, 2003
Location:
City:Springfield
County:Fairfax
State:Virginia
Boxes:3
Found by: paper trail (3)
Last found:Sep 1, 2020
Status:FFFaaaFFFFFFFFFFFFO
Last edited:Sep 2, 2020
Placed by the Happy Homeschoolers on March 24, 2003
Adopted by Missslady on November 04, 2003
Adopted by paper trail on July 23, 2008

*All boxes were MIA by July 2006: we were able to reproduce #1 & #2 and added more stamps to the series. A bit of time passed by - and a lucky find by a letterboxer of the ORIGINAL #2, and we've restored the original series. As much of the original clues as possible are re-used here (including the Latin), but we updated where necessary.

A Trilogy of Boxes
Clues: easy
Hike: easy

Be sure to bring your compass, you’ll need it!

Nature center with exhibits, trails, pond, tot playground with picnic tables and a picnic shelter. Bathrooms inside nature center, (which is closed Tuesdays and holidays.) Pets allowed on leashes.

Directions to Hidden Pond: Beltway exit 57A (95 South) to west on Old Keene Mill Road (Rt. 644) to left on Greeley Blvd. (second left after Rolling Road)**THERE IS A GREELEY BLVD. BEFORE ROLLING ROAD DO NOT TAKE THIS ONE** to entrance at end of street.

Box 1
Take the sidewalk to the Nature Center. Go to the right of the Nature Center and take the stairway around to the back of the center. Pass the picnic shelter on your left and walk straight on. At the fork bear left onto the 'Nature Trail' down a short steep hill with wooden steps (you will pass a bench and white/black trail marker on your left). Bear left at the next intersection to cross the small footbridge. Walk until a trail joins in from the left, and then immediately at the next fork, walk left. Count 25 steps to the tree in mid-trail. Follow the fallen pine on the left to where the top branches have crashed against the Liriodendron tulipifera trunk and find the letterbox there.

Box 2
Return to the path and turn left. Cross over two small footbridges. At the next intersection (gravel path) go straight-ahead and follow the path with the blue trail blaze on the Liriodendron tulipifera. Cross the next six bridges/boardwalks. Walk some more and enjoy the sights and sounds of the swamp. Look for the Fagus grandifolia tree with the blue “bow” blaze (blaze is fading; look for the tree with a 2-foot hollow at head height). Go to the back of the tree and find carved initials W.M. + M.G. Take a compass reading of 235 degrees and walk to the two Quercus alba trees covered with moss at the bottom. Stand between these trees and look to 205 degrees for spiky exposed rootstock. Walk about 30 steps in a roundabout way there. The box is tucked under the left-side base of the fallen tree covered with sticks and leaves.

Box 3
Go back to the Fagus grandifolia tree with the blue “bow”. Take the “path” keeping the swamp on your right, follow along the “path” to find the old yellow wooden trail marker on your left. From the trail marker take a compass reading of 262 degrees and go 27 steps. Don’t go too far or you’ll end up in the creek! Look in the root cove of the beech to find the last box is hidden under some bark and leaves.

To return to the Nature Center just retrace your steps. Be sure to visit the Nature Center and take a stroll around the pond before you leave.

In case you’ve forgotten your Latin:
Pinus virginiana – Virginia Pine
Liriodendron tulipifera – Tuliptree
Quercus alba –White Oak
Fagus grandifolia - American Beech
Ilex opaca – American Holly