Spring is HERE: Nature Trail LbNA #15091
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Add Location| Owner: | Rabbit's Relations  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | May 14, 2005 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Wappingers Falls |
| County: | Dutchess |
| State: | New York |
| Boxes: | 8 |
| Found by: | Fern Friend (8) |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Sep 7, 2016 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFFFFOFFFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | May 14, 2005 |
Spring is HERE: Nature Trail
9 boxes, 2.5 miles
On Sat May 14, 2005, Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, NY was the site of the 1st Annual Hudson Valley LB Gathering: Spring is HERE! Stamps and logbook were mailed in beforehand by many fine letterboxers to be planted as a permanent reminder of a very successful Event. The dozen boxes were planted in two loops around the park. Check the LbNA site for the clues to the second loop called “Spring is HERE: Pavilion Loop”. These eight boxes were planted by Rabbit’s Friends and Relations and the Alphabet Bandits.
Directions to the Bowdoin Park:
From the North – go south on Rt 9 past the city of Poughkeepsie. Look for a Citgo gas station and a Best Western on the left side of the road. Very shortly after, make a right turn onto Shaefe Road (there is a green directional sign saying “Bowdoin 3 miles”). The park entrance is on the right.
From All other Directions – Take I-84 to NY exit 11 (Route 9D/Wappingers/Beacon). Head north on 9D towards Wappingers Falls. Make a left onto SR28 (look for the big Pink and Green Barn on the corner). Take SR28 to the end (there used to be a stop sign here, which might be replaced by then). Make a right on to Main St/Channingville Road. Past the firehouse and the convenience store make a left on to Sheafe Road. Go approx a 1/2 mile and make a left into the park.
Enter the park, go straight through the first intersection, and left at the second intersection to park at the visitor’s center or main office. The trail head for the Nature Trail is up the hill behind this parking lot. (If you are in a group with two cars, you may want to leave the first one at the end of the road past the playground – continue past the visitors’ center until the paved road ends (past the pond) and park near the soccer and baseball fields. Then return in the second car to the top of the hill and park in the visitors’ lot.) This portion of the trails is about 2 ½ miles long, and with all the hunting and stamping you should plan for about 2 ½ to 3 hours for the loop.
Follow the Nature Trail (yellow oak leaf blazes) and read along in the info booklet provided at the trail head to learn about the various trees along the path. Follow the main trail as it curves to the right up a hill. At the bench, sit down and enjoy the view. When the coast is clear, make your way up to the 2 ½ foot high tree stump directly behind the bench. Careful of the rose brambles! Inside the stump, under a rock, is the “Sweet Smells of Spring”, carved by MINPIN LOVERS.
After you’ve stamped in and replaced the box, continue your walk up the trail branching to the right (that closest to the river). You should see white circle blazes. After a roller coaster of several hills and valleys, you will arrive at a rock outcropping with a fantastic view of the river. Just beyond, look for the Giant Skull Burl at ground height. Stand at the crossroads in front of this Jolly Roger, and site about 140* to a cluster of mossy rocks just beyond the tree. Inside the crevice, wedged under another loose rock, you will find “Spring Showers”, carved by TAMSYN. (Make sure you read Page 3 of the logbook – hint hint) This stamp looks best when colored with markers, if you have the time. Why not perch on the rock outcropping and enjoy the view at the same time? :)
Now continue south on the main path. You will step over a log and scramble down a hill to a wide grassy trail with a couple of sewer vents to the right. Turn left along the wide grassy path. Bypass two side trails to the right, and continue toward the road to a four way intersection (the path into the woods to the left is flanked by two large white boulders.
Stand facing the path to the left, near the right-hand sentinel. Count your steps up the path until you reach the number of days in February, and look off to the left for a swan’s neck. It will be about a dozen steps off the path to the left. At the base of the tree, under loads of bark, you’ll find “Spring Training”, carved by BUGGYLOU.
Retrace your steps to the intersection, and continue forward across the wide grassy path, back into the woods, and over a culvert. This bit can be muddy. You will quickly come to a Y marked by a four-trunked tree. Take the right-hand path. Continue on the trail through the intersection of another unmarked path. Stroll through a grove of graffiti beeches. [As of Spring 2008, there have been some logs felled across the path hereabouts.] Note one on the right with wings, and one on the left that Dan F scratched in 00 [look sharp, as the bark is checkerboard-flaking off this tree! 4/24/08]. Keep a look out for the three-pronged tuning fork beech about a dozen steps off the path to the right. Behind this tree, under a few small logs, you may hear a Mole hard at work whitewashing his home. He sniffs the fresh Spring breeze, throws down his brush, and mutters “Hang Spring-Cleaning”! (carved by RABBIT’S FRIENDS AND RELATIONS).
The trail soon twists to the left and heads down – Limbo! – As you cross a wooden bridge, look to the right to see Medusa with mumps… Carefully cross the second bridge – it is alarmingly slanted, but feels firm underfoot. Tiptoe past Medusa, and carry on down and around to the left (you may spot another white circle blaze, finally). If you are visiting in the Spring, you will see why my children dubbed this next area The Valley of the Skunk Cabbage. The trail zig zags for a bit, and makes three 90* turns to the right. Just at this third bend, on the left side of the trail, is a two-trunked tree with a smooth rock wedged into the crevice of the V. There is also a smaller tree leaning into the V at about a 30* angle. Behind this tree you will find, appropriately enough, the “First Spring Wildflower – Skunk Cabbage”, carved by PAINTERLY AND 46R.
Continue on the trail, past a tree with odd bumpy growths, and straight past a diagonally intersecting path. You should soon arrive at a bench. Sit and rest your feet while admiring the estuary and river beyond. You may even see a train or two. The estuary is more attractive at high tide (you can’t see the old tire) but is home to many birds. When you are well rested, head to the left, UP the hill. As the trail swings to the left, you should see a large long dead tree on the right of the path. Are we there yet? Well, “It’s About Time”, carved by SEWSOWBIZZY, can be found in the stump behind the root system of this huge tree.
Continue up, up, UP! At the top of the hill, stop for a breath at the brand-new red trail marker. From here the prize tree is at about 50* and about a dozen steps to a leaning tree. You will now be in need of a reason to smile, so we’ve planted “Tulips ;)”, carved by THE SPRITE AND HIGHLANDER, here for you under several rocks.
Now, turn around and head back down the hill to your favorite bench. :)
Continue straight along the edge of the estuary. After the sandy bit, approach the home of the nemesis of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. (Intrepid kids of all ages may find the abundant supply of throwing stones irresistible.) Count the number of horizontal planks, and take this many steps south back the way you came. To the left you will see a house for Eeyore. Behind the bit that is the broken elbow leaning on the horizontal log is hidden “Earth Laughs With Flowers”, carved by MISS MOON.
Home stretch! Up a sandy bank – be careful of the ground wasps here – you will note the small holes in the sandy path where they live – and out we come to the playing fields. Walk the gravel paths between the Two Towers to the paved road. If you came in two cars, you’ll be happy to see the second car parked here! For all others, head UP the hill to return to the main offices and parking lot near the trail head.
There is also a box called “Bowdoin Park” planted here in the park by Rabbit’s Friends and Relations in August 2004.
If you are here in the summer (between Memorial Day and Labor Day), and are hiking with children, they may want to stop after you are done and play with the giant turtle statues. It's a good idea to bring bathing suits - the turtles spray water!
9 boxes, 2.5 miles
On Sat May 14, 2005, Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, NY was the site of the 1st Annual Hudson Valley LB Gathering: Spring is HERE! Stamps and logbook were mailed in beforehand by many fine letterboxers to be planted as a permanent reminder of a very successful Event. The dozen boxes were planted in two loops around the park. Check the LbNA site for the clues to the second loop called “Spring is HERE: Pavilion Loop”. These eight boxes were planted by Rabbit’s Friends and Relations and the Alphabet Bandits.
Directions to the Bowdoin Park:
From the North – go south on Rt 9 past the city of Poughkeepsie. Look for a Citgo gas station and a Best Western on the left side of the road. Very shortly after, make a right turn onto Shaefe Road (there is a green directional sign saying “Bowdoin 3 miles”). The park entrance is on the right.
From All other Directions – Take I-84 to NY exit 11 (Route 9D/Wappingers/Beacon). Head north on 9D towards Wappingers Falls. Make a left onto SR28 (look for the big Pink and Green Barn on the corner). Take SR28 to the end (there used to be a stop sign here, which might be replaced by then). Make a right on to Main St/Channingville Road. Past the firehouse and the convenience store make a left on to Sheafe Road. Go approx a 1/2 mile and make a left into the park.
Enter the park, go straight through the first intersection, and left at the second intersection to park at the visitor’s center or main office. The trail head for the Nature Trail is up the hill behind this parking lot. (If you are in a group with two cars, you may want to leave the first one at the end of the road past the playground – continue past the visitors’ center until the paved road ends (past the pond) and park near the soccer and baseball fields. Then return in the second car to the top of the hill and park in the visitors’ lot.) This portion of the trails is about 2 ½ miles long, and with all the hunting and stamping you should plan for about 2 ½ to 3 hours for the loop.
Follow the Nature Trail (yellow oak leaf blazes) and read along in the info booklet provided at the trail head to learn about the various trees along the path. Follow the main trail as it curves to the right up a hill. At the bench, sit down and enjoy the view. When the coast is clear, make your way up to the 2 ½ foot high tree stump directly behind the bench. Careful of the rose brambles! Inside the stump, under a rock, is the “Sweet Smells of Spring”, carved by MINPIN LOVERS.
After you’ve stamped in and replaced the box, continue your walk up the trail branching to the right (that closest to the river). You should see white circle blazes. After a roller coaster of several hills and valleys, you will arrive at a rock outcropping with a fantastic view of the river. Just beyond, look for the Giant Skull Burl at ground height. Stand at the crossroads in front of this Jolly Roger, and site about 140* to a cluster of mossy rocks just beyond the tree. Inside the crevice, wedged under another loose rock, you will find “Spring Showers”, carved by TAMSYN. (Make sure you read Page 3 of the logbook – hint hint) This stamp looks best when colored with markers, if you have the time. Why not perch on the rock outcropping and enjoy the view at the same time? :)
Now continue south on the main path. You will step over a log and scramble down a hill to a wide grassy trail with a couple of sewer vents to the right. Turn left along the wide grassy path. Bypass two side trails to the right, and continue toward the road to a four way intersection (the path into the woods to the left is flanked by two large white boulders.
Stand facing the path to the left, near the right-hand sentinel. Count your steps up the path until you reach the number of days in February, and look off to the left for a swan’s neck. It will be about a dozen steps off the path to the left. At the base of the tree, under loads of bark, you’ll find “Spring Training”, carved by BUGGYLOU.
Retrace your steps to the intersection, and continue forward across the wide grassy path, back into the woods, and over a culvert. This bit can be muddy. You will quickly come to a Y marked by a four-trunked tree. Take the right-hand path. Continue on the trail through the intersection of another unmarked path. Stroll through a grove of graffiti beeches. [As of Spring 2008, there have been some logs felled across the path hereabouts.] Note one on the right with wings, and one on the left that Dan F scratched in 00 [look sharp, as the bark is checkerboard-flaking off this tree! 4/24/08]. Keep a look out for the three-pronged tuning fork beech about a dozen steps off the path to the right. Behind this tree, under a few small logs, you may hear a Mole hard at work whitewashing his home. He sniffs the fresh Spring breeze, throws down his brush, and mutters “Hang Spring-Cleaning”! (carved by RABBIT’S FRIENDS AND RELATIONS).
The trail soon twists to the left and heads down – Limbo! – As you cross a wooden bridge, look to the right to see Medusa with mumps… Carefully cross the second bridge – it is alarmingly slanted, but feels firm underfoot. Tiptoe past Medusa, and carry on down and around to the left (you may spot another white circle blaze, finally). If you are visiting in the Spring, you will see why my children dubbed this next area The Valley of the Skunk Cabbage. The trail zig zags for a bit, and makes three 90* turns to the right. Just at this third bend, on the left side of the trail, is a two-trunked tree with a smooth rock wedged into the crevice of the V. There is also a smaller tree leaning into the V at about a 30* angle. Behind this tree you will find, appropriately enough, the “First Spring Wildflower – Skunk Cabbage”, carved by PAINTERLY AND 46R.
Continue on the trail, past a tree with odd bumpy growths, and straight past a diagonally intersecting path. You should soon arrive at a bench. Sit and rest your feet while admiring the estuary and river beyond. You may even see a train or two. The estuary is more attractive at high tide (you can’t see the old tire) but is home to many birds. When you are well rested, head to the left, UP the hill. As the trail swings to the left, you should see a large long dead tree on the right of the path. Are we there yet? Well, “It’s About Time”, carved by SEWSOWBIZZY, can be found in the stump behind the root system of this huge tree.
Continue up, up, UP! At the top of the hill, stop for a breath at the brand-new red trail marker. From here the prize tree is at about 50* and about a dozen steps to a leaning tree. You will now be in need of a reason to smile, so we’ve planted “Tulips ;)”, carved by THE SPRITE AND HIGHLANDER, here for you under several rocks.
Now, turn around and head back down the hill to your favorite bench. :)
Continue straight along the edge of the estuary. After the sandy bit, approach the home of the nemesis of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. (Intrepid kids of all ages may find the abundant supply of throwing stones irresistible.) Count the number of horizontal planks, and take this many steps south back the way you came. To the left you will see a house for Eeyore. Behind the bit that is the broken elbow leaning on the horizontal log is hidden “Earth Laughs With Flowers”, carved by MISS MOON.
Home stretch! Up a sandy bank – be careful of the ground wasps here – you will note the small holes in the sandy path where they live – and out we come to the playing fields. Walk the gravel paths between the Two Towers to the paved road. If you came in two cars, you’ll be happy to see the second car parked here! For all others, head UP the hill to return to the main offices and parking lot near the trail head.
There is also a box called “Bowdoin Park” planted here in the park by Rabbit’s Friends and Relations in August 2004.
If you are here in the summer (between Memorial Day and Labor Day), and are hiking with children, they may want to stop after you are done and play with the giant turtle statues. It's a good idea to bring bathing suits - the turtles spray water!