this park's access status is constantly changing. as
of today, the trails are still open. but that will
probably change once the rainfall really kicks in in
western washington. in preparation for that, i have
updated my cluse for the alder box. see below.


----------
Taylor Mountain Series

Alder Box

Placed on October 6, 2002 by hoofandspoke

LOCATION: Taylor Mountain County Park

Nearest City: Hobart
County: King
State: Washington
Country: USA



NOTES

I hope to have all of my boxes be accessible to
equestrians, hikers and mtn. bikers. You will need to
dismount to get to the box, btw.

TREK AND WEATHER FACTORS

For Summer Clues: Medium 6-7 for hiking difficulty.
Could be wet in the winter in quite a few spots. As a
horse ride, this isn't for a pansy show horse, but any
average horse who is fit should be able to negotiate
it just fine. Do not use this trailhead in the winter
if it is marked "Trails Closed." I may supply a
different set of clues for winter horseback or
mountain bike access at some point.

For Winter Clues: Easy. Could be wet in the winter in
a handful of spots. As a horse ride, this one's not
even worth it unless you plan to explore the rest of
the trails afterwards.

Wheelchair access not available for this series,
sorry.

RESTRICTIONS

It's a county park, so dogs should remain on leash at
all times. Report wildlife (bear and/or cougar)
sightings to the County. Please use the Winter clues
if there are trail closures.

TIME TO COMPLETE

About 2.5 hours for the Summer Clues. Significantly
less for the Winter Clues. I can't really judge by
foot for humans. Please let me know and I will update
this section.

CLUE DIFFICULTY

Medium for Summer Clues as there is one spot at an
interesection which could be interpreted differently.
I may change that in the future. Easy for Winter Clues
is my guess.

STAMP QUALITY

Fair. Not carved on site, but done pretty hastily.

SUMMER CLUES GETTING THERE

Coming from I-90 in Issaquah, take the Front St. Exit
and head south. Go almost 9 miles. When you reach the
stoplight at SR-18 which is the on ramp to head over
Tiger Mountain to North bend, go through the light and
park in the parking area just to the left.

Coming from the south/west (Tacoma/Federal Way/Auburn)
Take SR-18 to Hobart Exit, at the stoplight, take a
right and park in the area just to your left.

Coming from the east (North Bend; from over Tiger
Mountain) Take SR-18 to Hobart Exit, take a left at
the stop sign onto Issaquah-Hobart Rd. Just past the
stoplight, park in the parking area on your left.

The parking area is NOT designated with any signs.
Occasionally you will see horse trailers or other
vehicles parked here. it's a popular spot for mountain
bikers to park at as well.

SUMMER CLUES

Start at the County gate just south of the parking
area.

Head east on this logging road for appoximately 20
minutes as a horse would briskly walk, but not trot.

You will see a sign for Hobart Trail off the right
hand edge of the road.

Take this trail.

Stay on the main trail unless otherwise directed.

You will encounter an area of burnt logs and stumps.
Take the trail that goes DOWN from here (southish).

After approximately 4 to 5 minutes, you will come to a
very small clearing after blue and yellow streamers.
Take the trail that goes to the right.

After approximately 6 minutes, you will come to
another gravel access road. Take a left and head up
the hill.

After about 6 minutes of gently winding to the north
and east, the grade starts to steepen.

When you come to another gravel road that is marked
"Trail," follow it to the right (east).

When you reach a pile of gravel, the road changes into
a trail. Follow the trail

About 3:20 from the gravel pile, you will come to a
small snag/cut tree on the right edge of the trail.

Go about 15 human paces further down the trail.

On the right side of the trail there are rocks edging
the trail. Across from the rocks on the left side of
the trail is a cluster of 3 alder trees.

Your treasure is in the crook of the trees under the
leaves.

Please make sure the box is well hidden under the
leaves after you have logged in.

Look for clues for my next box to start from Alder
Box.

WINTER CLUES GETTING THERE

Coming from I-90 in Issaquah, take the Front St. Exit
and head south. Go almost 9 miles. When you reach the
stoplight at SR-18 which is the on ramp to head over
Tiger Mountain to North bend, go through the light.
Just past the Hobart Market, there is a Fire Station
at S.E. 208th. Take a left here. Go approximately 1.5
to 2 miles to 298th Ave. S.E. (marked a Private Road.
Park at the gate at the end of the road, but please do
not block the residential driveways in any way.

Coming from the south/west (Tacoma/Federal Way/Auburn)
Take SR-18 to Hobart Exit, at the light, take a right
Just past the Hobart Market, there is a Fire Station
at S.E. 208th. Take a left here. Go approximately 1.5
to 2 miles to 298th Ave. S.E. (marked a Private Road.
Park at the gate at the end of the road, but please do
not block the residential driveways in any way.

Coming from the east (North Bend; from over Tiger
Mountain) Take SR-18 to Hobart Exit, take a left at
the stop sign onto Issaquah-Hobart Rd. Go through the
light. Just past the Hobart Market, there is a Fire
Station at S.E. 208th. Take a left here. Go
approximately 1.5 to 2 miles to 298th Ave. S.E.
(marked a Private Road. Park at the gate at the end of
the road, but please do not block the residential
driveways in any way.

WINTER CLUES

Start at the County gate.

Head north on this logging road for appoximately 12
minutes as a horse would briskly walk, but not trot.

You will pass a sign near the bottom of the hill for
the Hobart Trail West Gate.

Just past the trail sign, the grade starts to steepen.

When you come to another gravel road that is marked
"Trail," follow it to the right (east).

When you reach a pile of gravel, the road changes into
a trail. Follow the trail

About 3:20 from the gravel pile, you will come to a
small snag/cut tree on the right edge of the trail.

Go about 15 human paces further down the trail.

On the right side of the trail there are rocks edging
the trail. Across from the rocks on the left side of
the trail is a cluster of 3 alder trees.

Your treasure is in the crook of the trees under the
leaves.

Please make sure the box is well hidden under the
leaves after you have logged in.

Look for clues for my next box to start from Alder
Box.

Before you start, please read Waiver of responsibility
and disclaimer.


=====
hoof & spoke
letterboxer, wa
f1 p1 h1
http://www.geocities.com/hoofandspoke

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