On the Way to the Old Schoolhouse LbNA #11827
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Add Location| Owner: | Rabbit's Relations
 |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Oct 26, 2004 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Beacon |
| County: | Dutchess |
| State: | New York |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | Nairon |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Oct 10, 2021 |
| Status: | FFFOFFFFFFFFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Nov 9, 2015 |
Red Schoolhouse Road connects Rt 52 with Route 9D north of Beacon and south of Wappingers Falls. From I-84, take exit 11 to Route 9D north, and make a right at the light near the Stonykill State Environmental Educational Center. (Look for signs for the Downstate Correctional Facility)
From the light, the Sierra Trail sign and parking area will appear very shortly on the left. An information kiosk gives a list of events at the Stonykill Farm and has a posted map of the trails.
The Old Schoolhouse letterbox is planted within a few paces of the inner loop trail - a total of about one mile. You may opt for the outer loop trail - 2 miles - or to continue on the connecting trail to the Freedom Trail, part of the Hudson Valley Greenway Trail system.
Begin your walk on the mown grass trail. Shorty after entering the woods, you will notice a trail leading off the left up a short hill. Take a side trip up to read the sign about shelterwood management if you wish. (This path leads over a bridge and peters out at a field bordering Route 9D, so retrace your steps and continue down the wide level path.) At the T, bear right. You will soon see a small pond. Continuing on you will see sign pointing to a side trail off to the left, labelled "Pond", which takes you back to the pond's edge. (Backtrack to the sign and continue on.) You will pass a wet area, and then cross a wooden bridge. (Note the stone bridge off to the right.)
At the next intersection, follow the trail marked "outer loop". Count 16 steps from the intersection and look to the right for a large oak tree with several large rocks at its base. Step off the path and look behind the largest rock. In a crevice under the rock you will find our "Old Schoolhouse" box.
After stamping in and replacing the stones so that the box isn't visible, you have a choice of return paths. Continuing on the outer loop will be a 2-mile walk, with the option of connecting to the Freedom Trail. We backtracked the 16 steps to the intersection and took the inner loop back (one mile). After another wooden bridge, you come to the intersection where the outer loop rejoins the trail. There is a handy bench, and a sign pointing to the parking lot off to the left. One more bridge brings you back to the grassy intersection that you encountered on the way in, so bear right to return to your car.
From the light, the Sierra Trail sign and parking area will appear very shortly on the left. An information kiosk gives a list of events at the Stonykill Farm and has a posted map of the trails.
The Old Schoolhouse letterbox is planted within a few paces of the inner loop trail - a total of about one mile. You may opt for the outer loop trail - 2 miles - or to continue on the connecting trail to the Freedom Trail, part of the Hudson Valley Greenway Trail system.
Begin your walk on the mown grass trail. Shorty after entering the woods, you will notice a trail leading off the left up a short hill. Take a side trip up to read the sign about shelterwood management if you wish. (This path leads over a bridge and peters out at a field bordering Route 9D, so retrace your steps and continue down the wide level path.) At the T, bear right. You will soon see a small pond. Continuing on you will see sign pointing to a side trail off to the left, labelled "Pond", which takes you back to the pond's edge. (Backtrack to the sign and continue on.) You will pass a wet area, and then cross a wooden bridge. (Note the stone bridge off to the right.)
At the next intersection, follow the trail marked "outer loop". Count 16 steps from the intersection and look to the right for a large oak tree with several large rocks at its base. Step off the path and look behind the largest rock. In a crevice under the rock you will find our "Old Schoolhouse" box.
After stamping in and replacing the stones so that the box isn't visible, you have a choice of return paths. Continuing on the outer loop will be a 2-mile walk, with the option of connecting to the Freedom Trail. We backtracked the 16 steps to the intersection and took the inner loop back (one mile). After another wooden bridge, you come to the intersection where the outer loop rejoins the trail. There is a handy bench, and a sign pointing to the parking lot off to the left. One more bridge brings you back to the grassy intersection that you encountered on the way in, so bear right to return to your car.