The Eager Beaver Letterbox

Date placed: 10/28/01

Difficulty: Easy - good for children

Time: About 45-60 minutes, round trip.

Starting Location: Station Rd parking lot, Norwottuck Rail Trail,
Amherst, MA

Directions:
From Downtown Amherst, proceed south on MA 116. About 1/4 mile
past the traffic light at the Fort
River bridge, take a left onto Shays St. Proceed through first Stop
sign, and take a
left onto South East St (in front of a church). Before the Common
ends, take
a right onto Station Rd. The parking lot is 1 mile on the left, just
before the railroad tracks.

Clue:

Head north on the rail trail. Soon you will notice a wetland on your
right...The Eager Beaver
has been known to frequent these waters. The wetland gives way to a
larger pond, containing a
beaver dam adjacent to the trail. After walking another couple of
minutes, note a sign that states
"Brickyard Conservation Area" , and the junction of a trail on the
right...leave the Rail Trail here.

This trail can get muddy. Cross a single plank bridge, and shortly
thereafter look for a birdhouse
on the right. There is a paved area containing some rusted metal
objects on the right, as the trail veers left. After a few minutes of
walking down this birch-lined path, there will be a junction with
the Ken Cuddeback ("K.C.") trail..take a left onto this blue-blazed
path, and start counting paces. At 125 paces, there is an unmarked
trail heading off to the right. Follow it, while starting to count
paces again. While pacing, you'll note the abandoned brick building
that appears in front of you, formerly a brickworks (surprise!).
At 60 paces, stop. Note the singular evergreen tree to your left. The
Eager Beaver is hiding beneath this tree, under a human made object.

After stamping in , return to the Ken Cuddeback trail. You can return
via the same route by taking a left here. Or, take a right, which
will lead you over several bog bridges back to the Rail Trail. Take
a left to head head back to the parking lot.


The first of (hopefully) several boxes placed by the L Troop. Comments
or suggestions appreciated!

Phil