On 7/28/01, three new letterboxes have been placed at Giuffrida Park in
Meriden, CT. Prior to hunting these boxes, try visiting a really cool site
for information pertaining to Giuffrida Park. There you can learn about the
history, land usage, rules and regulations and even take a "virtual hike."
The site is http://www.ctparks.net/meriden

To get to Giuffrida Park, travel along I-91 either North or South. Take Exit
20 and proceed West (left off exit from North or left then right from South)
At this point you will be on Country Club Road. You will drive under a quarry
conveyor and approx. 1/2 mile after that there will be an entrance to the
park on your right just at the top of a short steep incline and at a sharp
left bend in the road. Park in a designated space and check out the map board
at the dam. There are no maps available but if you took the virtual hike you
will be familiar with the surroundings somewhat. Allow 20-30 min. to the
summit and 1 1/2 to 2 hrs for the entire hike. Longer if you gawk at all the
views. The difficulty is at the beginning of this hike and ends pleasantly
for which you will be grateful.

Walk below the dam and take the stairs up on the other side. From here the
trail gets steeper with every step. Stay on the main trail and follow the
blue arrows to the right. Once arriving at the main rocky wide path, go left
up and up to the summit called "Cauncey Peak." This climb gains elevation in
a hurry. Once you get to the top, veer right to the highest point to enjoy
the view. Look west to Craig's' Castle and the radio towers atop the Hanging
Hills of Meriden. (Seems there is a legend of a Black Dog out there
somewhere) To the South there lies the Sleeping Giant who holds many
letterbox secrets within his grasp. To the Southeast there is Barb and
Larry's Ledge of which letterboxes are known to sleep awaiting their next
visitor.

"Chauncey Peak Letterbox"
Go back to where you first arrived at the top prior to turning right to the
highest point. Go Northwest on an unmarked trail straight from where you came
up. Go down a few steps to a small valley. Look along the left side wall for
a tree that has doubled at its base and then has doubled again at mid point.
At this tree there is a slab of rock about 6 feet above ground. Hidden way
back under this slab is the "Cauncey Peak" Letterbox.

"Timber Letterbox"
Continue up the other side of the small valley until you find the blue blazed
trail. Go left at this point and follow along the ridge for spectacular views
of Crescent Lake. Sooner or later you will come upon two trees that have
been uprooted by wind and have been cut to make way for foot traffic. These
are located just short of the "Poisoned Hemlock Forest." Behind one of these
cut trees you will find the "Timber" Letterbox.

"Nosebreaker Letterbox"
Continuing generally North on the blue trail you will start to go downhill
fairly quickly. At the second decent, find the red bare-barked dead hemlock
on the left side of the trail. At its base, there you will find the
"Nosebreaker" Letterbox.

Continue down the trail and over the footbridge. At the flat wide trail go
left and stay generally South until you come to the Pine tree forrest. Go
left towards the water and enjoy the cool walk among these giants back to
your car.