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Huntley Meadows Creatures & Things - retired LbNA #50624 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:LewP
Plant date:Sep 27, 2009
Location: 6948 S Kings Hwy
City:Alexandria
County:Fairfax
State:Virginia
Boxes:3
Found by: adventurebabe
Last found:Feb 23, 2019
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFrr
Last edited:Feb 27, 2024
Enter Huntley Meadows Park from the South Kings entrance (across from an EXXON gas station). This IS NOT the entrance near the park visitors' center. If you are in the visitor center parking lot on Lockheed Blvd you need to get back in your car and drive around to the other entrance.

Happy Hunt(ly)ing!!

Follow asphalt nature trail. When you come to a fork - take the walking trail that goes to the right. If you go straight on the the maintenance road you may miss something (besides it is off limits to the public).

Box #1 Nutty Creature

Stop at the bench on your right and find my trail partner Abbzzs' box called "Nutty Creature". From the bench walk back in the opposite direction about 17 steps what used to be a clearing (overgrown now). They have cut down trees so there lots of logs to step over. About 40-45 feet in, look to your left. There is a small mound with a small block of concrete that doesn't appear to belong there. Hidden under this block you will find a nutty creature. PLEASE try to avoid crushing the box when you return the cement block.

Box #2 Flying Creature (Hand carved)

Return to the asphalt "nature" trail and head southeast into the park. You will see a clearing on your left - keep going.

You will come to a bench on your right and a sign about "Warbler Wave creatures" and another one marked "Pond Trail". If you want a longer walk, take the Pond trail into the woods. It curves around a bit, but don't worry, it will take you back to the asphalt trail.

If you are short on time just continue on the asphalt trail. Eventually you will see a bench and a sign where the Pond Trail reconnects.

Continue southeast along the asphalt trail into the park. On your left you will see an informal trail and a sign marked "Caution you are leaving the Nature trail". Take that trail into the woods for about 78 steps (39 paces) and you will see a tree with four trunks on your left - take a look where the trunks come together and you will see the flying creature nesting comfortably. Return to the Nature trail.

Box # 3 Foxy Heart - Continue along the trail. You will see a sign on your right where you can learn about amphibians -- Keep going until you see a bench on your left and a dirt trail (wide enough for a golf cart) on your right. Take the trail for about 40 paces (80 steps) and you will see a few trees with four trunks on your right. One of them (about ten steps in) has a Foxy Heart. Once you find it, return to the asphalt nature trail.

From here you can see where the trail meets the wetlands. Worth the walk to enjoy a nice view with lots of birds, beavers and nature as the park is full of wildlife. The trip from the parking lot out to the end and back is @ 2.5 miles. On your way back, there is no need to take the Pond Trail Loop -- unless you want to get more steps in.

Over the years there have been boxes on this trail that have been lost and retired. These include Tiny Creature, Slimy Creature, Flutterby, and Leaf Me Alone.

Hike length: 2-3 miles