Please replace the Gulf Branch, Arlington County, Arlington, Virginia
listing with this one.

I have added a second letterbox.

Gulf Branch
Placed by Harpers Square Explorers
Established August 11, 2002
Hand made stamp added 9/2/2

Arlington County
Arlington, Virginia
Dogs on Leash ok

Gulf Branch is one of many creeks that form creek valleys draining
into the Potomac River. Several are small parks. Normally Gulf
Branch is a cool and pleasant tree shaded oasis on hot days. With
the recent drought, we found the path dusty for the first time we
remember. Still it's a shady pleasant walk along the creek ending in
views of the river, and more. [When I replaced the stamp with a hand
made one rain had restored the lush atmosphere.]

Through here passes the Potomac Heritage Trail. A very long
riverside trail from Teddy Roosevelt Island all the way to the
beltway, I-495. You can find a map of it at Teddy Roosevelt Island
(and a couple nice letterboxes there too) though you don't need the
map to find the letterbox.

In North Arlington, off Military Road find 36th Road near Gulf Branch
Nature Center. Don't be fooled by 36th Street right next door. Park
at the curb opposite Nelson Street. Wood steps take you down to the
path. Head towards the river. You'll cross the creek a couple times
and go under the George Washington Parkway crossing very high
overhead. In the second crossing, we discovered a teetering rock
slab that banged with a loud satisfying thwack echoing off the bridge
high above. Stop where the water dives over the rocks and down
towards the river.

Here you could clamber over the rocks and climb down steep steps cut
in the rock. But you don't have to to find the Gulf Branch
letterbox. We were afraid it would wash away in a flood. You go
up. From the waterfall turn back the other way and very carefully
follow the Potomac Heritage Trail's blue blazes as they switchback up
the hill. Stop before turning at the 4th switchback from the
waterfall. There is no double blue blaze there indicating your U-
turn but there are 3 flat-topped rocks on your left to prevent
erosion of the switchback path. Facing the river, with the 3 flat
rocks at your feet on the left, you are facing a tree. At its base,
a smaller fallen tree angles up. Look under a large flat rock under
leaves behind the tree.

Old Boiler
Established Sept. 2, 2002
Requires clambering over steep rocks

Well I couldn't resist going back and planting another letterbox down
closer to the river. I hope it doesn't wash away in heavy rains.
After the Gulf Branch letterbox, head back to the waterfall. You can
see a lot of drilled holes in the rocks. They used to quarry rock
here for the capital's buildings. Iron railings lead you down a
steep rough stair cut in the small cliff. Notice the blue blazes of
the Potomac trail.

Look for the old steam boiler in the water. What is it? Why is it
there? Is it a beached locomotive? Is it an abandoned quarry
engine? Is it all that's left of a steamboat that burned when a
gambler carelessly flicked his cigar on to cotton bales?

This letterbox is precariously hidden where many people enjoying the
area can see you. I recommend that you put down your backpack next
to the hiding place and look like you're doing something with it to
mask that you are accessing the letterbox. You do carry a backpack
don't you?

Halfway between the bottom of the stairs and the boiler you will
notice the blue blazes painted on a rock ridge. The ridge is halfway
between the waterfalls and the river. Climb up the ridge looking for
a brown iron bar sticking a couple of feet straight up out of the
rock. It is directly east of the boiler, 260 degrees. Next to the
bar are a rock ledge, some bushes and the customary flat-ish rock.
Remember to try not to let people see what you're doing. Please
replace the rocks very carefully to hide the box and toss some leaves
over it.

If either of these are damaged or missing please write
rivasjakara@excite.com. Enjoy.