Elkmont Letterbox
Nearest town: Gatlinburg, TN - Townsend, TN
Smoky Mtns

Planted by: Mountain Mudbug & Tiger Shark
August 17, 2002 (in pouring rain)

Difficulty - easy
Distance - 3/4 mile loop trail

Enter the Smoky Mtns Park and pick up a trail/road map at one
of the wonderful visitor centers, and don't miss their great exhibits.

Locate Elkmont campground on the north-central side of the park.
Drive to the campground itself, but do not enter. Instead, turn left
and drive 0.3 miles, turn left again into the Elkmont Nature Trail
parking lot. Park, take a brochure, and begin your search!

(Note: This is a small box. Please bring your own ink pad and
writing utensils, and a tissue to clean the box-stamp after use.
Thanks!)

Clues:

Over the footbridge, watch your step.
Follow the numbers which go to your left.
Up the hill, down again. Through clearings,
past ferns, tip-toe cross streams.
To 6 you go, the trail turns left.
So do you, continue your quest.

Follow the path, over footbridge #2, on you go.
Careful, don't slip, you're almost there!
Onward to the faint fork in the trail.
Between two trees you'll make your move.
Numbered trail rises through crooked trees
to left. Don't go there yet, go right instead.
Others as curious have ventured this way,
but it goes nowhere certain to say.

About 65 "normal" steps, 'til two fallen trees.
Stop at the first, the exposed root-ball's the key.
While straddling the trunk you look at the roots,
On the right-hand edge is stashed the loot!
Under some branches, beneath some bark,
You'll find the Letterbox, stamping now starts!

Repack the box, neat and clean, return to its
nest beside the tree. Hide it well, be very discreet,
our secret is safe, your quest is complete.
Retrace your steps and finish the trail,
Back to your house and send us e-mail!

Happy Hunting!