While we were at Little Dam, we also wanted to check on the recent
fire damage on Lantern Hill and added a second letterbox to Tribal
Nation. You can also find it on our personal home page at:

http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/drewclan/local2.htm#Tribal

Tribal Nation

Two letterboxes on a steep section of the Narragansset Trail in
Ledyard, CT, at the top of the pure quartz eruption called Lantern
Hill. From the corner of CT Rte. 2 and Winchetaug Hill Rd, just south
of the Mashantucket Pequot's Foxwoods Casino, head south on
Winchetaug Hill for a short way, and park along the road on your
right at the blue blazed trail.

Hike up a tote road and bear left with the blue blazes at the
intersection with the Pachaug Trail. Climb some more before jogging
right with the blazes to climb along a hillside with spectacular
views north and west.

At the summit there are many overlooks: leave the trail when it turns
left away from the edge and cut even sharper left, north, along a
spine of quartz. Pass a fire ring (the site of both ancient and
modern day Native American ritual) in a smooth grassy area, and
continue briefly north onto an unmarked trail to an overlook with
views to the east. Your reward is tucked away from prying eyes in the
eastern face of the quartz ledge here, just before (south of) a
gnarly pine tree. From this spot, a pair of communication antennae
bear at 108 degrees, the Foxwoods casino is seen through the trees at
330, and a ball-shaped water tower is 265 degrees.

Return to the blue trail and continue westwards across the outcrops
and view spots. The trail drops steeply off the summit heading south-
southeast. Stepping down the steep quartz trail, soon come to a less-
rocky, level spot with an unmarked trail heading left. Turn right to
240; and bushwack about 20 steps through fire damaged growth to a
west-northwest facing outcrop of sheer vertical rock. The Fire Empire
letterbox is tucked into the ground here.

You can return the way you came, or descend here with the trail
southward to Winchetaug Hill Rd (take a left from there back to your
car). Now to try your luck at the casino!