New letterboxes: High Cliff Series, Northeast Wisconsin
1 messages in this thread |
Started on 2002-07-24
New letterboxes: High Cliff Series, Northeast Wisconsin
From: Stephen Pope (cancun55@famvid.com) |
Date: 2002-07-24 10:50:03 UTC-05:00
-High Cliff Series
-Planted in High Cliff State Park
-Sunday, July 21, 2002
High Cliff is located in Calumet County, Wisconsin. Nearest
town-Sherwood. High Cliff State Park is approx. 30 miles southwest of
Green Bay or 12 miles east of Appleton
-Hiking-moderate, some climbing
-Submitted by Esperanza
-A series of three boxes have been hidden on a trail loop of
approx 3 miles. The park is located on the shores of Lake Winnebago with
great views from the top of the cliff and the overlook tower in the park.
The hike is family-orientated and would take a leisurely 2 - 3 hours, depending
on stops and exploring time. There is a marina in the park, a beach for
swimming and a campground. There is a user fee of $4, or a yearly sticker
may be purchased. Picking up a park/trail map at the entrance to the park
is recommended.
The hike begins on the Lime-Kiln trail which starts in the
paved parking lot by the lime kiln ruins. The trail will pass several old
kiln structures. The path will fork to the left, but stay to the right and
follow along the lake. You'll reach a second place where the trail forks
and this time there is a sign. Again stay to the right and follow the lake
on the Long Loop portion of the trail. The trail passes over small streams
that are heading to the lake and some very large cottonwood trees. The
trail will take a left turn at a bench and begin to ascend up the cliff.
Take a rest and enjoy the view and then begin the climb! As you ascend, on
your right are several large boulders and a huge tree. As you ascend past
its roots count the steps...5 steps and then roots...8 steps and then 4
more. Take 8 paces and then look to your right to find a "family" trunked
tree (2 large trunks + 2 babies) Go up the little hill to the back of this
tree. With your back to the largest trunk, take a bearing of 150 degrees
on your compass and find the rock across the woods that looks like Mount
Everest. It sticks out of the ground about 3' in an inverted V
shape. (From the tree it's approx. 12 paces to the log, step over the log
and then about 25 paces from the log to the rock) On the south side of the
rock is a tree whose roots hug the rocks...find the box! As you head back
you'll notice a natural path heading to the south, a trail for the creature on
the stamp you've just found. Back on the main trail, continue to ascend up
the cliff. Once at the top you are near the campground and you are now on
the Red Bird Trail.
Box #2 - head northeast on the Red Bird trail. It will
pass the Indian Mound trail which is interesting. This trail follows
the ridge of the cliffs, parents be sure to watch children closely! The
trail will pass by the edge of an old quarry which will be on your right.
After the quarry, the trail passes near a park road and enters a more wooded
area. Soon the trail will ascend to cross the road, but before it does,
stop at the spot where the stream passes under the trail and follow the stream
down to where it opens out into a small "canyon". Cross the stream and take a
seat on the rock sticking out of the wall near the edge, with your feet on the
3rd "step" of rock. A small waterfall is at your feet. Put your
right hand on your thigh and then notice the set of smaller rocks by your right
hand. They can move...after finding the box please also replace the old
pop can diversion as well!
Box #3 Continue back on the main trail, which will cross
the park road and continue to follow the edge of the cliff up to another part of
the park and the statue to Chief Red Bird on your left. The trail will
come out to a parking lot, pavilion and a lookout tower. After exploring
this part of the park, the trail continues at the edge of the parking lot, and
it descends now down the cliff. Half of the trail is blacktopped and was
an old road, the other side is gravel. Follow this down until you reach
the bench on the left hand side. Take the path behind the bench up into
the woods and up the side of the cliff. On the way up you'll pass two
large boulders on your left, and then you'll cross over a series of small
boulders, and over a fallen tree. After the fallen tree there are two
trees side-by-side on the trail. Stand between them and take a compass
bearing of 170 degrees, the bearing is pointing right to the box in the rocky
"cave". Continue back to the main trail and descend to the road.
Cross over and walk back to the Lilm-Kiln trail parking
lot.