Millersylvania State Park Letterboxes
Tenino (10 miles SE of Olympia)
Thurston County
Washington

Level of difficulty: Mostly level, dirt, gravel or paved trail
(sections are mucky in rainy season). Clues easy to moderate.

Setting: Millersylvania is a historic park nestled in broad stands
of old-growth cedar and fir trees. Deep Lake, located on the
property, attracts boaters, swimmers and fishermen. The state
capital is a few miles north of the park. The structures within the
park were constructed by the Civil Conservation Corps in 1935 as a
means to employ unemployed people after the stock market crash
during the Great Depression. The park originally was
called 'Miller's Glade' by the Miller family who once
owned the property. The family later changed the name
to 'Millersylvania' meaning 'wooded glade'. The park's 842 acres
were homesteaded by Squire Lathum in 1855 before being sold to John
Miller. Miller's family gave the property to the state in 1921,
stipulating that the land must forever be used as a park.

Highlights: Deep Lake is absolutely breathtaking and very clear.
The park is open year round for camping and day use. Mountain bikes
are welcome on several trails within the park! Canoe rental is
available near the campgrounds but it might be a seasonal thing.
You can find more info about this park at: http://www.parks.wa.gov

Facilities: Restrooms and water fountains located at various points
along the trail. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it after you find
the 'Pine Tree' or 'Leaf' letterboxes.

Restrictions: Leash and scoop laws in effect for pets. Bicycles are
restricted on certain trails.

Length of trek: Pine Tree letterbox: about mile; Leaf
Letterbox: about a 3 mile loop

Directions: Take I-5 to Exit #99 or #95, head East and follow signs
to the park. Turn onto WA 121 (if you're coming from #99 head
South; if you're coming from #95 head North). The entrance to
the park will be on the West side of the road. Park in the first
parking lot you see after the main entrance sign, near the lake and
the info kiosk. This is the starting point for both letterbox
trails.

Millersylvania 'Pine Tree' Letterbox: