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metamorphosis LbNA #6238

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Oct 27, 2003
Location:
City:Granby
County:Grand
State:Colorado
Boxes:2
Planted by:Aljan
Found by: Squatchis
Last found:Sep 12, 2015
Status:FFFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Oct 27, 2003
August 2009... this box is eager for visitors! I checked it yesterday and it's in good shape, right where it should be and ready for finders! ~Aljan

Monarch Lake Letterbox... this is a microbox/regular box combination.

Make sure that you wear sturdy hiking/walking shoes and wear your bug spray! The trail is leashed pet friendly and kids will love it. The full loop will take you about 2-3 hours (or so, depends on how much you dawdle) so plan accordingly.

Take Hwy 40 to Granby in Grand County, CO. At the extreme western edge of Granby turn North onto Hwy 34, towards Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park. In about 5 miles, at the top of a long, steep grade, turn East onto Grand County Road 6. Be sure to buy and display a day pass for the Arapahoe National Recreation Area – they keep a close watch and it is very likely that you will be ticketed if you do not display your pass. Follow the signs along the southern shore of Lake Granby to Monarch Lake.

At the trailhead pass the ranger’s cabin and turn right at the fork on the Southside Trail. Cross the river and mind your step on the loose boards of an old aqueduct. Just after the bridge turn to the right on an unmarked side trail. Take 20 steps onto the trail and look to your left to see a low slightly triangular rock. Take 8 steps to the lake side of that rock where something small awaits you in its chrysalis of rocks. Do not place your stamp here as there is no room and much more work for you to do before you earn your wings!

Continue on along the Southside Trail.

Cross the water using the thin footbridge and pass the remains of the homes of those that lived here long before. Pass over the water, once upon a bridge and once again across the stepping stones (this crossing may be dry). Keep your eyes lively on the left for the steam winch that was placed here during old logging days. Check it out and then continue on your way.

Just after the steam winch a pair of twin bridges awaits you that will usher you further along your south side journey. Wind along the shore and stay on the Southside/Monarch Lake trail at the sign marking the Indian Peaks Wilderness and the junction with High Lonesome. You will now cross the river on a nice, railed bridge. After some time you will skirt along and then above the river (or the dry rock riverbed as the case may be). Follow the trail now through the trees and wait for your return to the river. Balance across the long log bridge and then enjoy the surer footing of the wide river bridge. At the end of this bridge count 70 average steps to a short, deep dip in the trail. The river will be just on your left. Look through the fallen tress and brush on your right to a large rock platform with a vertical, moss colored face. Cross to the closest corner of the vertical face and look east along the trail side of that rock platform towards two pines growing close to the rock. Just below those trees you will see another smaller, flat boulder. In a crevice resting under the top corner of that boulder waits your second letterbox of the day. Stamp in here and congratulate yourself on your metamorphosis. Please recover the box. Thanks. The trail loops and you can continue on the Monarch Lake trail to return to the trailhead by way of the lakes North side.

Thanks! Aljan