Big Pine LbNA #11032 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | JBean
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|---|---|
| Plant date: | Sep 19, 2004 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Portland |
| County: | Middlesex |
| State: | Connecticut |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | Rubaduc |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Sep 19, 2007 |
| Status: | FFFFOFFFFFFFFFFaFa |
| Last edited: | Sep 19, 2004 |
** 1/22/06 Came home today to find Big Pine box on my front porch with a note from a friend who had found it lying on the trail filled with water. It is a mess, not sure if it will be replaced, watch for updates.
Big Pine Letterbox
Difficulty: Moderate, a gradual climb, with a walk along an embankment, the descent is steep but short. Bug spray is a good idea. Our 5-year-old daughter does it, and I have bad knees and find it manageable. Dogs are allowed on a leash but please scoop the poop.
Time: Less than an hour in and out.
History: Big Pine Letterbox is hidden in the Portland Brownstone Quarries and Riverfront Park, check out the website at http://www.geocities.com/brownstonequorum/index.htm for more information on this great park and piece of Portland History. Along the banks of the Connecticut River, the brownstone that was formed during the Triassic period, was sought after for carvings and building blocks. The Quarries were in operation since the late 1600’s, and shipped brownstone for building by a fleet of 25 schooners to ports as far away as London and San Francisco. During the hurricane of 1936 the Connecticut River rose and flooded the quarries. Unfortunately this area sat and was neglected for many decades until, in late 1999, the Town of Portland acquired the quarries and riverfront property. A group of citizens formed The Brownstone Quorum, whose goal it was to provide assistance and support to the town government as they determined the ultimate use of these properties. These citizens have raised funds to clean the area up, removed old cars from the quarries, and carved out many trails. The area, though rustic, now has hiking trails, beautiful vistas of the Connecticut River, great specimens of trees and a variety of wildlife. A long time ago the riverfront area was part of the river, but, as the brownstone was quarried, the ‘slag’, or inadequate brownstone was discarded on the banks of the river and grew to be 2000 feet long and 70 feet high. So, as you walk along the trails, notice that you are walking on piles of brownstone which nature has taken over.
Directions: from Route 9, take Exit 16 and follow Route 17N/ RT 66E over the Arrigoni Bridge and into Portland. Take a left onto Silver Street (Hess gas station on the corner). Follow Silver Street until it bears off to the right and merges with Brownstone Avenue. Unfortunately this area has been taken over by oil companies, so it is a bit unattractive. As you merge with Brownstone Avenue, look to your right and you will see the Quarries. Follow Brownstone Avenue to the trailhead at the end of the Road, and park in the parking area beside the park sign.
Clues: Begin at the trailhead, going into the park on a path around the gates and follow the dirt road. A short way in, stop and enjoy the Waterfall Overlook on your right. If you look carefully at the large blocks of brownstone, you will see fossils of dinosaur feet! Also to your right is the quarry still in operation www.brownstonequarry.com/.
Follow the dirt road as it bends to the left. This is the main trail, but don’t be disappointed, you will soon be on more rustic trails through the woods! After passing a brownstone wall the trail bends to the right. Keep your eyes open for the CHIP TRAIL, which goes off to the right; take this trail.
You will be following a red square blaze. Eventually the trail narrows and you enter more dense growth. Be sure to watch for species signs on some of the trees. You will come to an intersection where two trails go off, one on the right and one on the left, continue straight. Next you will come to the LAUGHING FROG trail on your right, take this trail as it immediately turns left.
You want to head North, keeping the drop off on your right. You may want to hold young children’s hands at this point. Watch for the Red Oak tree and the Eastern Red Cedar a few paces further. From the Eastern Red Cedar, take 19 paces (1 pace = 2 steps). Locate the Eastern White Pine, the largest pine in the park. About 8 feet behind the great pine you will find a brownstone treasure chest. Lift the lid and find your treasure! After stamping in please re-hide the box carefully, as many youngsters like to hang out in the area.
From here you can retrace your steps, or continue along the path where you will come to Tower Top, a beautiful overlook of the CT River. As you leave the Tower Top, follow the trail, which will bend here and there and eventually take you down a steep path and back to the main trail/dirt road. To your right you will see another overlook and to your left will be your path back to your car. Hope you enjoyed the hike! Come back again. During spring, summer and fall Brownstone Quorum members give canoe rides in the quarries!
Big Pine Letterbox
Difficulty: Moderate, a gradual climb, with a walk along an embankment, the descent is steep but short. Bug spray is a good idea. Our 5-year-old daughter does it, and I have bad knees and find it manageable. Dogs are allowed on a leash but please scoop the poop.
Time: Less than an hour in and out.
History: Big Pine Letterbox is hidden in the Portland Brownstone Quarries and Riverfront Park, check out the website at http://www.geocities.com/brownstonequorum/index.htm for more information on this great park and piece of Portland History. Along the banks of the Connecticut River, the brownstone that was formed during the Triassic period, was sought after for carvings and building blocks. The Quarries were in operation since the late 1600’s, and shipped brownstone for building by a fleet of 25 schooners to ports as far away as London and San Francisco. During the hurricane of 1936 the Connecticut River rose and flooded the quarries. Unfortunately this area sat and was neglected for many decades until, in late 1999, the Town of Portland acquired the quarries and riverfront property. A group of citizens formed The Brownstone Quorum, whose goal it was to provide assistance and support to the town government as they determined the ultimate use of these properties. These citizens have raised funds to clean the area up, removed old cars from the quarries, and carved out many trails. The area, though rustic, now has hiking trails, beautiful vistas of the Connecticut River, great specimens of trees and a variety of wildlife. A long time ago the riverfront area was part of the river, but, as the brownstone was quarried, the ‘slag’, or inadequate brownstone was discarded on the banks of the river and grew to be 2000 feet long and 70 feet high. So, as you walk along the trails, notice that you are walking on piles of brownstone which nature has taken over.
Directions: from Route 9, take Exit 16 and follow Route 17N/ RT 66E over the Arrigoni Bridge and into Portland. Take a left onto Silver Street (Hess gas station on the corner). Follow Silver Street until it bears off to the right and merges with Brownstone Avenue. Unfortunately this area has been taken over by oil companies, so it is a bit unattractive. As you merge with Brownstone Avenue, look to your right and you will see the Quarries. Follow Brownstone Avenue to the trailhead at the end of the Road, and park in the parking area beside the park sign.
Clues: Begin at the trailhead, going into the park on a path around the gates and follow the dirt road. A short way in, stop and enjoy the Waterfall Overlook on your right. If you look carefully at the large blocks of brownstone, you will see fossils of dinosaur feet! Also to your right is the quarry still in operation www.brownstonequarry.com/.
Follow the dirt road as it bends to the left. This is the main trail, but don’t be disappointed, you will soon be on more rustic trails through the woods! After passing a brownstone wall the trail bends to the right. Keep your eyes open for the CHIP TRAIL, which goes off to the right; take this trail.
You will be following a red square blaze. Eventually the trail narrows and you enter more dense growth. Be sure to watch for species signs on some of the trees. You will come to an intersection where two trails go off, one on the right and one on the left, continue straight. Next you will come to the LAUGHING FROG trail on your right, take this trail as it immediately turns left.
You want to head North, keeping the drop off on your right. You may want to hold young children’s hands at this point. Watch for the Red Oak tree and the Eastern Red Cedar a few paces further. From the Eastern Red Cedar, take 19 paces (1 pace = 2 steps). Locate the Eastern White Pine, the largest pine in the park. About 8 feet behind the great pine you will find a brownstone treasure chest. Lift the lid and find your treasure! After stamping in please re-hide the box carefully, as many youngsters like to hang out in the area.
From here you can retrace your steps, or continue along the path where you will come to Tower Top, a beautiful overlook of the CT River. As you leave the Tower Top, follow the trail, which will bend here and there and eventually take you down a steep path and back to the main trail/dirt road. To your right you will see another overlook and to your left will be your path back to your car. Hope you enjoyed the hike! Come back again. During spring, summer and fall Brownstone Quorum members give canoe rides in the quarries!