Sign Up  /  Login

MoNY #6 - High Hat LbNA #4686

Owner:JeLyBean
Plant date:Jul 8, 2003
Location:
City:Erwin
County:Steuben
State:New York
Boxes:1
Found by: celtic hound
Last found:Mar 24, 2012
Status:OFFFFF
Last edited:Jul 8, 2003
Monsters of NY Series 6 of 6 - High Hat

High Hat is the name given by native Americans in this region to a creature that typically dwells near swamps, rivers and lakes in New York's Southern Tier. Usually seen from a distance at the water's edge, its bulbous head and fish-belly-white hands give it the appearance of wearing a top hat and gloves. Also called "Abe Lincoln" by non-natives, High Hat was last seen in this area in the 1970s. Don't let its comical appearance fool you, though. High Hat is dangerous and vicious, and loves to dine on humans, especially young girls. If you see it, stay clear, it will usually not wander too far from the water, except to store its dinners up in the branches of nearby trees. Natives have been known to hang meat in trees near High Hat's lairs in hopes of keeping it away from their girls.

Terrain: Moderate - mostly uphill (about 1.5 miles) climb to the box, some muddy areas; our five-year-old made it but complained a lot.
Clues: Easy

Directions: Reach Erwin Wildlife Management Area by taking Rt. 15 south off I-86. Exit at Gang Mills near the Wal-Mart and Home Depot, left at the light and then right onto Beartown Road. Follow Beartown to veer right at Weaver Creek Road. At the very end, this becomes a rough dirt road, a four-wheel drive is recommended or be prepared to lengthen your hike a little extra.

Clues:
Park as close as you can to the barrier and hike uphill along the dirt administrative road. After about 1 mile, a grassy path, marked by an ancient trail sign, leads left into the woods - follow it. At a fork in the path, choose the left. You'll cross a small stream bed and head back up a grassy slope - don't go all the way up, but instead follow the trail into the woods at your right. In this old evergreen forest, you may lose the path in the wide spaces beneath the trees. Never fear, you should be able to see Kuchnie pond off to your right. We had to push through the brush to get there, but perhaps you'll keep the path. From the pond's southernmost corner, head 210* and 21p to an opening to the forest between two trees. Perhaps this is where the path was meant to exit. Stand between these and sight a four-trunked tree with a hollow at 220* and about 35p. Look for evidence of High Hat near here, but always keep a wary eye on the water.

Notes:
- No ink pad in the box, make sure you bring your own.
- Please do not ask me for additional hints without offering a bribe of unpublished clues, hitchhikers, etc.
- Please email me with notes about the box: jelybean.books@comcast.net.