While camping in Northern California, the kayaking cousins, Amanda
Briles and Lori Lott placed a letterbox at Ahjumawi State Park.
The birdlife is delightful. White Pelicans were everywhere when we were
paddling. Grebes and Osprey were also sighted. Tons of great
dragonflies grace this place. Very large and diverse.

There is also a number of other insect life, which are not so pleasant.
They say there are ticks, but we never saw any. Plenty of mosquitos,
though. I was a walking smorgasborg for these feasting beasts and I
probably have 30 or so mosquitos bites on me (I wish I were
exaggerating, but I got really depressed and stopped counting after 17
on just one leg!) The one thing you should make sure you pack is bug
repellent. PLENTY OF IT and spray it on every part of your body or they
will get your where you're vulnerable. Sunblock is also a must This
public service message is brought to you by the Paisley Orca, aka The
Bitten One.


JA SHE CREEK LETTERBOX - Placed by Amanda Briles and Lori Lott on June
23, 2001
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Ahjumawi in the Pit River Indian language means "place where many waters
come together". Ja She means "place where the tules grow".

Ahjumawi State Park can only be accessed by boat and you must get a map
so you can find the proper campground to paddle or motor to. California
State Parks can probably send you one, or you may be able to pick one up
at McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, which is not too far away from
Ahjumawi.

Location: Ja She Creek Campground, Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park,
McArthur, California, Shasta County. McArthur, California is located on
Hwy 299 and is Southeast of Mt. Shasta.

Directions: Head North on Main Street for 3.7 miles. You will come to
a parking lot/boat launch area. This is the Rat Farm boat launch where
your journey begins.

Terrain: Approximately 3 miles on water and a very short hike to the
letterbox.

Clues: EASY

Get out of your vehicle, put your boat in. When you get out into the big
water area start heading
left. Ja She is between 2-1/2 to 3 miles from Rat Farm boat launch on
the other side of the water. Head for the farthest campground, which is
Ja She Creek. It is in an inlet and is a popular fishing area. You may
be able to tell which campground it is because it has a restroom and
camping sign next to a very small concrete ramp. Definitely get a map.
My instructions may not adequately get you there since it's on the water
and not on a road.

Once you get to the concrete boat launch head straight on the trail
until you get to a red rock strip over a rusty culvert. From the middle
of this strip of volcanic rock go forward 25 steps and stop. Beneath
and behind the large rock to your right is the Ja She Creek Letterbox.

Best regards,

Amanda Briles
The Paisley Orca