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Trolley Car LbNA #9218

Owner:DrewFamily Supporter Verified
Plant date:Jan 1, 1990
Location:
City:Branford
County:New Haven
State:Connecticut
Boxes:1
Found by: Nairon
Last found:Jan 15, 2024
Status:FFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Jan 1, 1990
Trolley Car
Branford, Connecticut

(February 2003: the second letterbox is reported missing...)

A pair of letterboxes on a town-sponsored masterpiece overlooking the incredible Thimble Islands in Branford, CT. This hike covers an easy shoreside 1.5 miles with a small climb and an option for a fine stroll into a divine village for Sunday cappuccino.

Directions: On I95 in Branford, take exit 56 and head south 1.4 miles on Leetes Island Road towards Stony Creek. Turn right on Rte. 146 for 1.2 miles, where the road makes a double-left towards Pine Orchard. These two beach communities used to be connected by a trolley, now converted to a splendid rail-trail. After your double-lefting, pass over and under railroad tracks for 0.6 miles to bear left on Totoket Rd. In 0.4 miles, after passing through a golf course, take your first left on an unmarked road with a Tilton 190 sign. Miss the turn and go a bit too far and you'll see Juniper Point Rd. Park near the big concrete blocks with the locals.

Rail trailing: In the northeast corner of the parking lot, head east over the tracks with the white blazes for an east to west out-and-back hike with a couple of spurs to the letterboxes. Follow the boardwalk over salt marshes with lots of birds and fiddler crabs. Regaining land, the official white blazed trail turns left. We'll turn right, south, on a fainter unmarked trail that weaves down to the marshes. You'll cross a boulder strewn brook on the way: there are several faint side trails, but if you head generally south you'll soon reach a stone wall. Just beyond is a large smoothly rounded outcropping, wonderfully splint by a maple. In the slot behind the maple, find the Thimble View Letterbox. Visit 50 yards south to a lovely smooth viewing spot.

Return to the main rail trail and continue east. Pass under a road bridge and out to enjoy the trestle bridge, a delight for children. A short way further is Stony Creek, a wonderful refreshment stop. Heading back, turn north at #8 on the white blazed loop trail, which climbs gently and curves first west, crosses a residential street, and then bends south to an absolutely stunning overlook with a monument. At the 3-way junction by the overlook, you'll find a rooty oak tree a step off trail at bearing 130 degrees. Behind that is a low smooth shard of granite that is "picked up" on the south side. The Trolley Car Letterbox is under a larger than usual trap door in the southeast corner.

Continue down the white trail to regain the Trolley Trail, turning right (if you must) back to civilizatio