A Parliament of Owls LbNA #37829 (ARCHIVED)

A new letterbox with a new stamp has been placed as the old one was listed. Enjoy the trails.

This is a letterbox/geocache hybrid cache, one of three that celebrate collective nouns for birds! You'll start your hunt near the National Weather Service on the ridge overlooking the city of LaCrosse, wandering into the Human Powered Trails. To reach these trails, take Highway 33 East up the hill, turning left on County Road F. Travel along this road about 3 miles until you reach a right turn for County Road FA. Follow this road until you see the gigantic volleyball. Park there.

Owls are denizens of the night, making their home in places like the forest before you. As you travel into the forest, maybe a wise owl will be watching you, perhaps even serving as a guide. Or not!

How many stories take the hero or heroine on a journey into the woods, pursuing a quest? Your quest will begin on the trails that lead east from the parking area of the Human Powered Trails. Watch for signs, as did heroes of old...but these signs are literal indeed! Look for one that says "LaCrosse Ridge" and follow that along the prairie toward the south.

All quests require an element of thorny conflict. Again, this will be thorny in the literal sense. Follow the trail marked "Buckthorn" down into the woods. Your thorny conflict won't last long; when you come to a mighty fallen giant, the trail forks. Don't take the sharp turn left, but continue on the straight and narrow.

Enjoy your travels in the quiet woods, noticing a stand of pines down the hill to your left. You will notice a slain giant, its leaves still clinging, laying near the northern end of this stand of pines. Go down the hill toward this giant.

Walk about 18 paces back up the hill from the crown of this fallen giant. Here you will find another, smaller fallen giant. Begin your hunt for a small brown tupperware treasure box. Remember, sometimes one must look deep within...especially if it's winter! Claim your victory with your stamp of conquest, but be sure to bring your own stamp pad.

Have fun, and happy searching!