Emily Rose

Siberian Dwarf Hamsters on Stone Mountain

San Luis Obispo, SLO County, CA

placed 3-10-03



The Siberian Dwarf Hamster letterboxes are dedicated to two furry
friends, Pikel and Joe (Mama) Louis. Although no longer with me,
hope would have them roaming free and busily hoarding on the stone
mountain behind my house in San Luis Obispo. This particular rocky
mountain is unique in its treeless barren environment and it's great
view of both north and south San Luis Obispo. It is also home to the
Rock Wren, a bird I haven't seen on the other peaks, a captivating
bird with its smoke gray color and shy habits.





Directions to trail head

by car: Headed North on 101, take the Madonna Rd. exit, turn right
onto Madonna Rd., turn left on to Higuera, an immediate right on to
SOUTH st.. From here you can stop at the donut shop or continue two
blocks on South St. to Exposition, make a right. The trail head is
after the houses on the right hand side and is marked the South
Hills Open Space.

walking from meadow park. For an additional walk or to take the
scenic route you can start at Meadow park, (Meadow lane and South
street) and walk the paths west to Exposition and then left to the
trail head.

Biking gives you some extra options. You can ride the bike paths in
meadow park or if you are coming from South Higuera turn right on
Bridge St. and continue on bike path to Exposition, turn right and
you are there.

Both LB's are approximately mile up the south hills trail.

Follow the main trail uphill, past the fence and the wooden gate,
until you reach a fork with a trail marker, follow the arrow to the
left. Continue on the trail up the hill to the ridge. If you lose
the trail for a second don't worry, it will become clear as long as
you continue up. Watch where you step because the rocks can trip you
up. You will continue up the trail and will reach three significant
rocky tops that level out some and have larger boulders to
distinguish them. Each one will appear to be the top but another
will be in the distance once you reach one. Finally the last rocky
top will only reveal a round topped hill in the immediate distance
with no large rocks at top. If you continue on the trail you will
reach a fork, one leading up another down to the end of the trail.
If you get there you will have gone too far. Back track to the last
nearest rock top.

When you reach the final and highest rocky top you will look for a
place on the trail where a boulder on the right and a boulder on the
left leave you only a foot and space to walk through. The boulder
on the left is 2 feet high, 3 feet long, and has the surface of a
bees nest with holes and stripes. The boulder on the right is 5
times as big, and comes up nearly 5 feet. Stand between the two
rocks and walk 5 paces farther down the trail to a chair shaped
rock. This is a perfect place to rest and sit and from there you are
very close to the letterboxes.

SDH1: Mama

Stand on the rock facing the round hill. 6 feet below you and on the
right you will see a small ravine, 25 feet long. Carefully enter and
look in a crevice behind the largest sage smelling tree, behind a
rock in the crevice will be the letter box.

SDH2 : Pikel

Stand on the rock and face San Luis Mountain. Find the pink, orange
large building at its base and walk 27 paces in that direction down
hill (Be carefull! It is somewhat steep).

You should find yourself in a small grassy area (big enough for
standing room for one person) with a 8 foot rocky wall on your left
hand shoulder, behind you on the ground two rocks that appear as one
will reveal the letter box.

Happy Letter boxing!