Well, we did get "stuffed" yesterday, and had to walk it all off.
Here's the result, also posted at our site (http://members.aol.com/drew
clan)....hope everyone had an excellent holiday. Jay



Bear Hill Letterbox

A pair of letterboxes on a moderate 5 mile hike, connected just to the
north of the Seven Falls clues. From CT Rte. 9, take exit 10 in
Middletown. Head south on Rte. 154 briefly to the first left onto
Freeman Rd. About 0.8 miles east on Freeman Rd, park off the road at
the blue-blazed trail crossing. The Seven Falls hike goes south on the
blue trail while this search heads north. Please wear a blaze-orange
vest or hat from November-February, as there is hunting allowed all
along your path.

Following the blue blazed Mattabesset trail northwards from the parking
area, walk up and over a small hill and then cross Aircraft Road with
the blazes. Continue with the blue trail to a signed junction, and head
straight on the rectangularly blazed Crossover Trail. As with the Seven
Falls hike, we'll follow the main rectangular blazes out and then take
the circular blazed Loop Trail back.

On the main trail, hike over several slickrock pathways before dipping
down a little, spotting a crag on your right. Head northeast through
mountain laurel shrubbery with a sharp ridge dropping away on your
right. At the prominent lookout, before the trail gradually drops down
again, find the Great Wall Letterbox on your left, to the northwest.
Look for an inconspicuous flat-rocked cairn on the cliff's edge to the
right (placed to help mark this one particular spot in the woods), and
a split, chest-high boulder on the left. Pass northwest, to the left of
the boulder, a few steps into a small clearing where the box is hidden
on the ground.

Now continue about 2 miles along the rectangular blazed main trail, up
and over the summit of Bear Hill, noting several circular blazed Loop
Trail crossings along the way. This is handsome, classic Connecticut
woods walking. Eventually make your way to a downhill through a
wonderful laurel tunnel, and cross under a first set of power lines. A
wide slickrock trail brings you under a second power line. From here,
follow the middle prong of a three-trail fork, which continues the
rectangular trail blazes. About 30 steps from the fork, find the Bear
Hill Letterbox on the right, behind a clump of multi-trunked maple.

Now return to the power lines and fork right with the circular blazed
Loop Trail for your return. Follow this trail as it loops back and
forth over the main trail, crossing the Bear Hill Summit, and leading
back to that first intersection and the Aircraft Road crossing before
your car. A long walk, but worth it.