Scott's Cove 2.0 LbNA #71584
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Add Location| Owner: | dewlovers  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Jun 28, 2017 |
| Location: | Scott's Cove, T Howard Duckett 11004 Harding Rd, 20723 |
| City: | Scaggsville |
| County: | Howard |
| State: | Maryland |
| Boxes: | 8 |
| Found by: | Elizabeth Bly Timp (2) |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Oct 16, 2022 |
| Status: | FFFFOFF |
| Last edited: | Jun 6, 2020 |
Scott’s Cove 2.0 Letterbox Series 2016
Directions: From I95 take Rt 216W, Left on Leishear Rd, Right on Scaggsville Rd, Left on Harding Rd, stay on Harding Rd. Parking lots are on the left.
Scott's Cove is part of the Rocky Gorge Reservoir, a watershed area for our drinking water. Map of the area https://www.wsscwater.com/files/live/sites/wssc/files/watershed/Rocky_2016.pdf.
Scott’s Cove is a great place to picnic, fish & boat (bring your own). You will need a WSSC use permit. Please visit the WSSC website for more information, https://www.wsscwater.com/home/jsp/content/watershed.faces#maps.
Where to Purchase Watershed Permits--Seasonal and Single Day Watershed Use and/or Picnic Permits are available at: Brighton Dam Visitor’s Information Cabin, Richard G. Hocevar Building-Cashier’s Window, and online at www.WSSCwater.com. WSSC also has a free, downloadable Watershed Use Permit application for smart phones and tablets.
These letterboxes have been planted with permission from WSSC. When Scott’s Cove is Closed, the letterboxes are not available.
Call before you go for the latest recreation area updates on the watershed, call 301-206-4FUN.
For information about deer hunting/recreation area closures please visit their website https://www.wsscwater.com/water-quality--stewardship/environmental-stewardship/managed-deer-hunt.html
Letter Box info:
Boxes 1-4 Park at the Boat Ramp lot (3rd parking lot on the left)
Boxes 5-8 Park at the Playground lot (1st parking lot on the left)
1 pace = 2 footfalls (about 5 feet in length)
Boat Ramp side: Trail is 0.6 mi & about 25 minutes-1 way + plus boxing time, 25 ft elevation
Box #1 Toad
From the boat ramp area enter the woods, trail starts on left side of the yellow “NO PARKING” painted area on the pavement. Follow the trail & watch out for the tiny Eastern American Toads hopping out of your way! Keep walking past all the canoes & boats, climb over that huge downed pine tree to keep on the trail. Look for the inlet where the trail forks at the inlet, at 1st fork to inlet FORK RIGHT (stay forward), about 5-7 paces & stop. Should be a large tree on your left (1st tree you see) & look to the right for a FAT TREE that has a second trunk coming out the back side. This strange tree is close to the path, not deep in the woods (about 6 steps to the tree from the trail). Behind that tree is a TOAD hiding under brush & SPOS. Now back to the hunt, go back to the trail where it forked. Take the left path around the inlet.
Box #2 A Funny Place for a Fish
Continue on the trail. Just past the inlet the trail becomes vague for approx 20 yards, a big carpet of pine needles. The trail will become clear again right beside a large pine tree. Look toward the water for a LARGE TREE STUMP. Stand behind that stump (so the water is at your back), look into the woods. Your sight line should see the stump & 3 thick trees almost in a row (more like a triangle). The two trees on this side (stump side) of the trail will frame the 3rd tree (which is on the other side of the trail). That 3rd tree is where you need to go. Go there! Look out for the coconut. What? yea someone threw a coconut in the woods. With that 3rd tree beside you look past it, you’ll see 2 fallen trees, behind the 2nd fallen tree is a tall dead tree with a FUNNY PLACE FOR A FISH to hide, behind the tree under SPOS.
Box #3 Turtle
Continue on the trail, about 70 steps past Box#2, LOOK on your left for the BIG DOUBLE TREE AT THE BASE WITH 5 TREE TRUNKS, a 5-sister tree, this tree is on the left side of the trail closer to the water, but you can definitely see it! When you see this 5-sister tree, STOP (on the trail) at this tree! Stand on the trail, facing forward (as if you were still walking the trail), take your left arm & point to the 5-sister tree. Pretend you are a clock, make the 5-sister tree/your left arm 9:00, the trail ahead of you is 12:00, your right arm would be 3:00. A turtle will be resting about 3:00ish behind a tree about 16 steps off the trail. Time moves slow for a turtle so this is a good place for a TURTLE to rest hiding under rocks leaves & SPOS behind the tree. See the MAX NS tree-look to the right & into woods about 16 steps off trail.
Box #4 Ferns
Continue on the trail, down & curving left, see those rocks--if you sit on those rocks you can watch the fish jump! Cross over 2 huge trees to stay on the trail. Soon the trail will fork, STOP where the trail splits, at your 3:00 about 7 steps into the woods is a big tall tree with no branches until near the top, then dead sticks & at the top pine branches. Behind this tree under a dead log is the FERNS box. We planted the box before all the ferns. After you find the box, take the right fork on the trail & you will see all the ferns!
Now that you have found all 4 boxes, turn around for your return trip back to your car.
Playground Parking Lot: Trail is 0.7 mi & about 35 minutes-1 way + plus boxing time,17 ft elevation
Box #5 Mushroom
As you walk toward the playground look for the trail heading into the woods on the left, take this trail & start your hunt, look out for the tiny Eastern American Toads, cross the stream bed (use caution if its full of water), where the trail splits keep to the right. See the large rock with the view of the cove, look for a turtle in the water, & if you’re really lucky you might see the big old snapping turtle! Follow the trail, careful crossing the creek, once on the other side of the creek you will start to see moss on both sides of the trail. Most of the moss is under Mountain Laurel shrubs, you may see tiny mushrooms in the moss. Follow the trail past the long stretch of moss, now it’s back to leaves on the sides of the trail and mushrooms scattered about. There are several side paths that lead to the water. Be on the LOOKOUT for a SIDE PATH that leads to the water’s edge with a very LARGE ROCK on the bank at the water. STOP at the HEAD of that PATH, it will also have a tree with a small rectangle (about the size of 2 postage stamps) carved in the trunk about 5 ft up the tree. Stop here & look into the woods on the left side of the trail for a large crooked tree, looks like a bent elbow. You will find a MUSHROOM hidden behind that tree.
Box #6 Ladybug
Continue on the trail, cross over & under dead trees covering the trail, continue on trail, see the boat ramp across the way, here you can climb over more dead trees or walk to the water’s edge & find the path back to the trail & you’ll miss that climb over! Take the root steps up & follow the trail for a bit. Be on the LOOKOUT for a TANGLE MASSIVE SPREAD OF ROOTS on the ground, about 10 ft long & as wide as the path, they will lead to the tree they come from which is directly on the right side of the path. You’ll probably trip over the roots right by the tree! The tree will have faded blue spray paint on it. Stop at this tree & look into the woods on the left side of the trail. See the huge dead tree laying on its side (about 35 ft into the woods), about 25 ft behind that dead tree is a 2-sister tree (was a 3-sister tree, but 1 sister fell to the left). You will find LADYBUG hiding behind the sisters.
Box #7 Cardinal
Continue on trail, cross over another dead tree, the trail will fork, take the LEFT FORK, as you start to go left take 6 steps, look on your left for the tall tree flanked by 2 skinny trees, shhh!, there’s a CARDINAL there under SPOS & SPOR. SPOS-suspicious pile of sticks & SPOR suspicious pile of rocks.
Box #8 Scott's Cove
After finding #7, keep walking on the left fork, forward you go, this fork you took will merge back to the original trail, continue over the small dead tree. Another dead tree crossing or two, then 1 dead tree parallels your path. (Ahead of you the trail forks a wide path to the reservoir, this forked trail is past the parallel tree.) At this point walk slowly on trail (with parallel tree on your left) looking into the woods on the left, do you see the tall curved (up high) tree (about 25ft from path), stop & face that curved tree, now look for the tall tree past the curved one, it’s 8 PACES to that giant tree with a SPOR behind it. You’ve reached the end of the hunt, hope your enjoyed it, now just turn around & go back
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
Hike length: 1-2 miles
Directions: From I95 take Rt 216W, Left on Leishear Rd, Right on Scaggsville Rd, Left on Harding Rd, stay on Harding Rd. Parking lots are on the left.
Scott's Cove is part of the Rocky Gorge Reservoir, a watershed area for our drinking water. Map of the area https://www.wsscwater.com/files/live/sites/wssc/files/watershed/Rocky_2016.pdf.
Scott’s Cove is a great place to picnic, fish & boat (bring your own). You will need a WSSC use permit. Please visit the WSSC website for more information, https://www.wsscwater.com/home/jsp/content/watershed.faces#maps.
Where to Purchase Watershed Permits--Seasonal and Single Day Watershed Use and/or Picnic Permits are available at: Brighton Dam Visitor’s Information Cabin, Richard G. Hocevar Building-Cashier’s Window, and online at www.WSSCwater.com. WSSC also has a free, downloadable Watershed Use Permit application for smart phones and tablets.
These letterboxes have been planted with permission from WSSC. When Scott’s Cove is Closed, the letterboxes are not available.
Call before you go for the latest recreation area updates on the watershed, call 301-206-4FUN.
For information about deer hunting/recreation area closures please visit their website https://www.wsscwater.com/water-quality--stewardship/environmental-stewardship/managed-deer-hunt.html
Letter Box info:
Boxes 1-4 Park at the Boat Ramp lot (3rd parking lot on the left)
Boxes 5-8 Park at the Playground lot (1st parking lot on the left)
1 pace = 2 footfalls (about 5 feet in length)
Boat Ramp side: Trail is 0.6 mi & about 25 minutes-1 way + plus boxing time, 25 ft elevation
Box #1 Toad
From the boat ramp area enter the woods, trail starts on left side of the yellow “NO PARKING” painted area on the pavement. Follow the trail & watch out for the tiny Eastern American Toads hopping out of your way! Keep walking past all the canoes & boats, climb over that huge downed pine tree to keep on the trail. Look for the inlet where the trail forks at the inlet, at 1st fork to inlet FORK RIGHT (stay forward), about 5-7 paces & stop. Should be a large tree on your left (1st tree you see) & look to the right for a FAT TREE that has a second trunk coming out the back side. This strange tree is close to the path, not deep in the woods (about 6 steps to the tree from the trail). Behind that tree is a TOAD hiding under brush & SPOS. Now back to the hunt, go back to the trail where it forked. Take the left path around the inlet.
Box #2 A Funny Place for a Fish
Continue on the trail. Just past the inlet the trail becomes vague for approx 20 yards, a big carpet of pine needles. The trail will become clear again right beside a large pine tree. Look toward the water for a LARGE TREE STUMP. Stand behind that stump (so the water is at your back), look into the woods. Your sight line should see the stump & 3 thick trees almost in a row (more like a triangle). The two trees on this side (stump side) of the trail will frame the 3rd tree (which is on the other side of the trail). That 3rd tree is where you need to go. Go there! Look out for the coconut. What? yea someone threw a coconut in the woods. With that 3rd tree beside you look past it, you’ll see 2 fallen trees, behind the 2nd fallen tree is a tall dead tree with a FUNNY PLACE FOR A FISH to hide, behind the tree under SPOS.
Box #3 Turtle
Continue on the trail, about 70 steps past Box#2, LOOK on your left for the BIG DOUBLE TREE AT THE BASE WITH 5 TREE TRUNKS, a 5-sister tree, this tree is on the left side of the trail closer to the water, but you can definitely see it! When you see this 5-sister tree, STOP (on the trail) at this tree! Stand on the trail, facing forward (as if you were still walking the trail), take your left arm & point to the 5-sister tree. Pretend you are a clock, make the 5-sister tree/your left arm 9:00, the trail ahead of you is 12:00, your right arm would be 3:00. A turtle will be resting about 3:00ish behind a tree about 16 steps off the trail. Time moves slow for a turtle so this is a good place for a TURTLE to rest hiding under rocks leaves & SPOS behind the tree. See the MAX NS tree-look to the right & into woods about 16 steps off trail.
Box #4 Ferns
Continue on the trail, down & curving left, see those rocks--if you sit on those rocks you can watch the fish jump! Cross over 2 huge trees to stay on the trail. Soon the trail will fork, STOP where the trail splits, at your 3:00 about 7 steps into the woods is a big tall tree with no branches until near the top, then dead sticks & at the top pine branches. Behind this tree under a dead log is the FERNS box. We planted the box before all the ferns. After you find the box, take the right fork on the trail & you will see all the ferns!
Now that you have found all 4 boxes, turn around for your return trip back to your car.
Playground Parking Lot: Trail is 0.7 mi & about 35 minutes-1 way + plus boxing time,17 ft elevation
Box #5 Mushroom
As you walk toward the playground look for the trail heading into the woods on the left, take this trail & start your hunt, look out for the tiny Eastern American Toads, cross the stream bed (use caution if its full of water), where the trail splits keep to the right. See the large rock with the view of the cove, look for a turtle in the water, & if you’re really lucky you might see the big old snapping turtle! Follow the trail, careful crossing the creek, once on the other side of the creek you will start to see moss on both sides of the trail. Most of the moss is under Mountain Laurel shrubs, you may see tiny mushrooms in the moss. Follow the trail past the long stretch of moss, now it’s back to leaves on the sides of the trail and mushrooms scattered about. There are several side paths that lead to the water. Be on the LOOKOUT for a SIDE PATH that leads to the water’s edge with a very LARGE ROCK on the bank at the water. STOP at the HEAD of that PATH, it will also have a tree with a small rectangle (about the size of 2 postage stamps) carved in the trunk about 5 ft up the tree. Stop here & look into the woods on the left side of the trail for a large crooked tree, looks like a bent elbow. You will find a MUSHROOM hidden behind that tree.
Box #6 Ladybug
Continue on the trail, cross over & under dead trees covering the trail, continue on trail, see the boat ramp across the way, here you can climb over more dead trees or walk to the water’s edge & find the path back to the trail & you’ll miss that climb over! Take the root steps up & follow the trail for a bit. Be on the LOOKOUT for a TANGLE MASSIVE SPREAD OF ROOTS on the ground, about 10 ft long & as wide as the path, they will lead to the tree they come from which is directly on the right side of the path. You’ll probably trip over the roots right by the tree! The tree will have faded blue spray paint on it. Stop at this tree & look into the woods on the left side of the trail. See the huge dead tree laying on its side (about 35 ft into the woods), about 25 ft behind that dead tree is a 2-sister tree (was a 3-sister tree, but 1 sister fell to the left). You will find LADYBUG hiding behind the sisters.
Box #7 Cardinal
Continue on trail, cross over another dead tree, the trail will fork, take the LEFT FORK, as you start to go left take 6 steps, look on your left for the tall tree flanked by 2 skinny trees, shhh!, there’s a CARDINAL there under SPOS & SPOR. SPOS-suspicious pile of sticks & SPOR suspicious pile of rocks.
Box #8 Scott's Cove
After finding #7, keep walking on the left fork, forward you go, this fork you took will merge back to the original trail, continue over the small dead tree. Another dead tree crossing or two, then 1 dead tree parallels your path. (Ahead of you the trail forks a wide path to the reservoir, this forked trail is past the parallel tree.) At this point walk slowly on trail (with parallel tree on your left) looking into the woods on the left, do you see the tall curved (up high) tree (about 25ft from path), stop & face that curved tree, now look for the tall tree past the curved one, it’s 8 PACES to that giant tree with a SPOR behind it. You’ve reached the end of the hunt, hope your enjoyed it, now just turn around & go back
NOTE: Before you set out you must read and agree to the Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer.
Hike length: 1-2 miles