Cranial Roots LbNA #26497
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Nearby Boxes
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Add Location| Owner: | N/A |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Oct 18, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| City: | ??? |
| County: | Chester |
| State: | Pennsylvania |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | Otis' Friends
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|---|---|
| Found by: | ??? |
| Last found: | Oct 27, 2007 |
| Status: | FFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Oct 18, 2006 |
Retired 4 December 2010 - Box is missing. It was fun while it lasted.
CRANIAL ROOTS
UPDATE: Do not attempt during December and January, which are apparently peak deer hunting months. Remember, deer hunting is illegal on Sundays but it's probably a good idea to wear blaze orange in season regardless.
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Most people who drive through here see farms. Houses, and fields, and [expletive deleted]. I see a rubber stamp with no one’s name on it that inks up well in brown, black, and green, but bring your own ink. The stamp is huge (just under 4" by 6 "), but the log is just a tad smaller than that.
To find this box, you will need to hike the first stretch of a trail named for two nineteenth century astronomers. Road maps are very misleading as to where the trail head actually is. Park in the parking lot on the south side of the road on the other side of the creek, just after you head east over the bridge. Walk carefully on the left hand side over the bridge, then turn left when you see the elementary school on the other side of the road. Follow the road around a sharp bend until you see a sign that says “No Spray. Keep Off.” On the other side of the road from this sign, you should see a parking lot. At the end of the parking lot closest to the road is a road barricade with a green diamond-shaped sign announcing the border of a Nature Preserve. The trail begins on the other side. It is relatively well-worn. If you do not see a trail or any bushwhacking is required at the start, you are probably not in the right place.
Starting at the trail head, the trail goes generally uphill immediately. The trees are marked with blazes in the school colors of the UNC Tarheels. After you have climbed for about 50 feet, you will see what looks like a rusty oil drum off to the side. A few steps later you will enter a utility easement, where you should turn right. You will only go about 25 yards in the easement before you will turn left, following the blazes. Do not continue along the easement or you will wind up in someone’s yard. After turning left, a short way down the path you will see a very large tree to your left with a hollow about 15 feet high on the trunk, and some enormous grape vines. The box is not here. A short distance further, notice the disturbed roots on your left that look something like barbed wire. The box is not here, either. The trail begins to go generally down, through some fairly thick underbrush that has been cleared for the trail. What's this? Oh, berries. What a splendid present. Be cautious. You are holding the bad color. This color attracts Those We Do Not Speak Of. You ought not to pick that color berry anymore. Actually, picking any berry would violate the principles of Leave No Trace™ and these berries are only plot devices, so best not.
After the trail goes generally up again, you will eventually see a small pond on the other side of a tree line. The trail veers sharply to the left at this point. You will cross at least one stream, depending on weather conditions. When you see a stone column on your right about 15 feet off the trail, take about 13 steps to the fork, where you should turn left. The box is about 28 steps down the trail from the fork, under a log about ten feet off the trail on the right.
Do not look for this box at night. The right of access to the trail extends only to daylight hours, and area residents have had enough of rowdy teenagers driving through as a result of the urban legend. You may also want to join the trail club associated with this trail. It will take you about a half an hour in and a half an hour out, so plan accordingly. It is not necessary to go near the namesake of this box or the associated house or to look for black SUVs, and you will not even save time. I do not recommend parking on the road crossing the trail about a mile further down from the box because even if you are not fined, your car may be vandalized. No trespassing. Follow the rules.
CRANIAL ROOTS
UPDATE: Do not attempt during December and January, which are apparently peak deer hunting months. Remember, deer hunting is illegal on Sundays but it's probably a good idea to wear blaze orange in season regardless.
* * * * * * *
Most people who drive through here see farms. Houses, and fields, and [expletive deleted]. I see a rubber stamp with no one’s name on it that inks up well in brown, black, and green, but bring your own ink. The stamp is huge (just under 4" by 6 "), but the log is just a tad smaller than that.
To find this box, you will need to hike the first stretch of a trail named for two nineteenth century astronomers. Road maps are very misleading as to where the trail head actually is. Park in the parking lot on the south side of the road on the other side of the creek, just after you head east over the bridge. Walk carefully on the left hand side over the bridge, then turn left when you see the elementary school on the other side of the road. Follow the road around a sharp bend until you see a sign that says “No Spray. Keep Off.” On the other side of the road from this sign, you should see a parking lot. At the end of the parking lot closest to the road is a road barricade with a green diamond-shaped sign announcing the border of a Nature Preserve. The trail begins on the other side. It is relatively well-worn. If you do not see a trail or any bushwhacking is required at the start, you are probably not in the right place.
Starting at the trail head, the trail goes generally uphill immediately. The trees are marked with blazes in the school colors of the UNC Tarheels. After you have climbed for about 50 feet, you will see what looks like a rusty oil drum off to the side. A few steps later you will enter a utility easement, where you should turn right. You will only go about 25 yards in the easement before you will turn left, following the blazes. Do not continue along the easement or you will wind up in someone’s yard. After turning left, a short way down the path you will see a very large tree to your left with a hollow about 15 feet high on the trunk, and some enormous grape vines. The box is not here. A short distance further, notice the disturbed roots on your left that look something like barbed wire. The box is not here, either. The trail begins to go generally down, through some fairly thick underbrush that has been cleared for the trail. What's this? Oh, berries. What a splendid present. Be cautious. You are holding the bad color. This color attracts Those We Do Not Speak Of. You ought not to pick that color berry anymore. Actually, picking any berry would violate the principles of Leave No Trace™ and these berries are only plot devices, so best not.
After the trail goes generally up again, you will eventually see a small pond on the other side of a tree line. The trail veers sharply to the left at this point. You will cross at least one stream, depending on weather conditions. When you see a stone column on your right about 15 feet off the trail, take about 13 steps to the fork, where you should turn left. The box is about 28 steps down the trail from the fork, under a log about ten feet off the trail on the right.
Do not look for this box at night. The right of access to the trail extends only to daylight hours, and area residents have had enough of rowdy teenagers driving through as a result of the urban legend. You may also want to join the trail club associated with this trail. It will take you about a half an hour in and a half an hour out, so plan accordingly. It is not necessary to go near the namesake of this box or the associated house or to look for black SUVs, and you will not even save time. I do not recommend parking on the road crossing the trail about a mile further down from the box because even if you are not fined, your car may be vandalized. No trespassing. Follow the rules.