Enjoy this hike! You have started on one that is the most popular in the
area but then exits it into a " little known" or I should say
"abandoned" trail. One of the stronger storms (Floyd) caused a lot of
downed trees to fall over it and we have tried to renew its presence. It
is about half on state land and the other half on a protected
forever-wild preserve - please keep it in the best of shape. Watch out
for bears and their droppings in the middle of the trail especially where
the trail crosses over the state boundary markings. Slippery when wet!
Nothing more slippery than bear dung! The upper mountain is the home of
rattlesnakes so they may come down to visit this area when the
conditions are right. Not much poison ivy around but it is not hard to
find.

WGT - Southeast New York : Ulster County

Nearest Town: Bearsville / Woodstock , NY

Total Distance: 2.08 miles

Here are the directions/clues to find this letterbox ( WGT ) with our dog
"BUD" as the stamp design.

1) You will need two hours to do this trail


2) This is a circular trail and ends at the beginning!


3) Start at the top of Meads mountain next to the Zen Monastery, If the
parking lot is full, you can only park along the trail side of the road.
Park just above the lower field site along the side of the road if the
parking lot is full.


4)From here walk the 100 or so yards up hill to the start of the Overlook
trail.
The Overlook Trail bulletin board is located here.

5) This is a beautiful hike to the top of the mountain with a great view
from behind the rangers cabin but the WGT trail starts by telephone pole
#21. There is water at "Lucky George's" (named after a one eye blind dog
who quenched his thirst here on one hot summer day) 1/2 way to pole #21
on the left side of the main trail. This may dry up sometimes and is only
for animals to drink


6) On pole #21 there is a small "W" pointing to the start of the trail,
20 feet or so away.


7) Once on this trail you need to keep to the left about 200 feet in and
take the path leading down this old logging road.


8) You will cross over three downed trees on the path then the path
narrows as it follows this washed out logging road. At about 1350 steps
from the start it makes a sharp turn to the right.


9) In about 100 feet the many trees have blocked the path. Go around on
the left side and turn right by the s 6 Red Fungus Plants growing on its
side. Continue down the path.


10)The path will go uphill now through mountain laurel for about 100
yards to a place that has branches stopping you. At this point there is a
pile of rocks , turn left and you will notice a path heading straight
down the mountain. ( This is West on a compass)

11)Be careful you are now in the bear territory!


12) At this boundary crossing point is where the letter box is hidden.


13) At the boundary crossing take a few steps further down the trail ,
then turn around and look back. The rock that is 20 feet above the
boundary sign that has two "one foot " White Birch Trees growing from
the right side has the box hidden in the crevice. ( It is further covered
by 4 small flat rocks).. SEE PICTURE [that's BUD by the rock]


14) This spot is almost half way back to the starting point. (If you
started below State Parking area)


15) Continuing down the trail for another 200 feet leads you into a level
area where the trail is difficult to follow. But it is there. Keep an eye
out for tree markers (yellow painted triangles that have been there for
20 or more years)


16) At the halfway point there is new fork in the path that was made
recently from the private lands side. This basically heads in a straight
line with the trail. Do not follow this trail as it will not bring you
back to where you want to go. Instead bend to the left and follow the
trail straight down the mountain.


17) You will be going through pine forest now. Some of the larger logs
have been cut out to open the path.
Whoever did that - Thanks , not everyone carrys a chain saw with
them.



18) This is where it is a little tricky. The trail bends to the left and
you have to crawl under some partially fallen pine trees.



19) This path crosses a dry brook and heads back up at a 45 degree angle
in this pine forest.



20) When you get this far you will be at "Sunset Seat" as it was called
in the old days! Today it's called

M _ G _ _ M _ _ D _ _ Where every 28 days the Moon
makes its appearance !

Indian head Mountain is to the east , Notice his forehead and
chin!



21) Walk through this field, on the other side is McDaniels Road and from
there 200 yards where you began!