On February 17, 2002 Funhog placed the Rookery Letterbox near
Vancouver, Clark County, Washington. The search for this letterbox is a
short stroll but along the way you will see one of the largest Great
Blue Heron rookeries in the area. It's especially enjoyable to go here
in late winter or early spring. At his time the herons are already on
the nest and the bare trees allow for easy viewing. Bring those
binoculars!
to the trailhead: From I-5 take the Fourth Plain exit #1. Go west on
Fourth Plain/501 to the entrance for Vancouver Lake Park. Drive past
the entrance .4 miles to a turnout where you can park your car. This is
right at the end of two guardrails.
to the letterbox: Go through the stile on the west side of the road.
Take a compass bearing of 200 degrees magnetic and head out across the
field. You will have to skirt around some fallen wood at the beginning.
Keep walking until you come to four upright 4X6 posts. From this point
you have a great view of the rookery up high in the trees almost due
south. After you've seen these huge nests set your compass for forty
five degrees and walk about 150 steps to the letterbox.
New letterbox WA
2 messages in this thread |
Started on 2002-02-17
New letterbox WA
From: funhog1 (funhog@pacifier.com) |
Date: 2002-02-17 23:59:25 UTC
New letterbox WA
From: funhog1 (funhog@pacifier.com) |
Date: 2002-05-26 01:55:35 UTC
On May 24, 2002 Funhog placed the Dog Mountain letterbox near the town
of Carson, Skamania County, WA. This hike will take you to one of the
premier wildflower viewing sites in this region. It isn't an easy hike,
gaining about 2500 feet in three miles but the meadows at the top are
so spectacular when they are in bloom that I can just about guarantee
that you will want to come back next year. At the summit you are also
given glorious views of the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, Mount St.
Helens and Mount Adams. I have decided that the mountain received its
name because you are dog tired by the end of the six miles. Don't
forget, bring plenty of water!
To the trailhead: From Vancouver WA go east on Highway 14. Just past
mile marker 53 you will find the Dog Mountain parking area on the north
side of the road. The trailhead is just right of the pay station where
you need to buy a day pass if you don't have an annual Forest Pass.
To the letterbox: Head for the summit. After about half a mile there is
a fork in the trail. The one to the left is .2 miles shorter, through
the woods and a bit steeper. The one to the right is slightly more
scenic, with occassional views of the gorge. The choice is yours. You
will be panting either way. Once you emerge from the forest you will
be in a steep, expansive meadow of Balsamroot, Paintbrush, Delphinium,
Lupine and a gazillion other flowers. When you come to the first
switchback you will be at a viewpoint known as Puppy Point. Paws here
and drool over the vista. Lap up some of that water you brought along
and contemplate the fork in the tail (oops trail.) One direction takes
you to the summit through the meadow, one through the forest. Trot down
toward the trees if you want to sniff out the letterbox. Just after you
enter the forest look to the left for a pair of brothers, arms
entwined. Twenty steps behind them at 330 degrees magnetic is a third
littermate with its foot upon the letterbox which is curled up beside a
whitish rock. If you don't bark up the wrong tree, you will be sure to
wag your tail. Go fetch!
of Carson, Skamania County, WA. This hike will take you to one of the
premier wildflower viewing sites in this region. It isn't an easy hike,
gaining about 2500 feet in three miles but the meadows at the top are
so spectacular when they are in bloom that I can just about guarantee
that you will want to come back next year. At the summit you are also
given glorious views of the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, Mount St.
Helens and Mount Adams. I have decided that the mountain received its
name because you are dog tired by the end of the six miles. Don't
forget, bring plenty of water!
To the trailhead: From Vancouver WA go east on Highway 14. Just past
mile marker 53 you will find the Dog Mountain parking area on the north
side of the road. The trailhead is just right of the pay station where
you need to buy a day pass if you don't have an annual Forest Pass.
To the letterbox: Head for the summit. After about half a mile there is
a fork in the trail. The one to the left is .2 miles shorter, through
the woods and a bit steeper. The one to the right is slightly more
scenic, with occassional views of the gorge. The choice is yours. You
will be panting either way. Once you emerge from the forest you will
be in a steep, expansive meadow of Balsamroot, Paintbrush, Delphinium,
Lupine and a gazillion other flowers. When you come to the first
switchback you will be at a viewpoint known as Puppy Point. Paws here
and drool over the vista. Lap up some of that water you brought along
and contemplate the fork in the tail (oops trail.) One direction takes
you to the summit through the meadow, one through the forest. Trot down
toward the trees if you want to sniff out the letterbox. Just after you
enter the forest look to the left for a pair of brothers, arms
entwined. Twenty steps behind them at 330 degrees magnetic is a third
littermate with its foot upon the letterbox which is curled up beside a
whitish rock. If you don't bark up the wrong tree, you will be sure to
wag your tail. Go fetch!