Sign Up  /  Login

Coastal Cutthroat Trout Mystery LbNA #8154

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:May 6, 2004
Location:
City:???
County:King
State:Washington
Boxes:1
Planted by:Danny
Found by: ???
Last found:Jun 8, 2010
Status:FFFF
Last edited:May 6, 2004
Cutthroat Trout Mystery Letterbox
Closed Sunset to 6 AM
No Bikes
Leash and Scoop Law
Children friendly
Some scrambling and stairs
Alive and well as of June 16, 2013

I am a Coastal Cutthroat Trout of Puget Sound. I was born in this creek. As I grew, I swam downstream in search of saltwater. I made the transition from fresh to saltwater in the creek's estuary. I ventured out into the Sound, but never strayed more than a few miles from the mouth of my birthing creek. I have returned from all odds to spawn in the creek, continue the line of my kind and return to live in the estuary. Now after a long life, I've come to my final resting spot near the banks of my beloved birthing creek. With determined dedication, you can find me.

Start your search for a small park overlooking the Sound where my creek joins it. It has a bench or two, an overlook into the creek and small works of art. Called Stream Echo, they were created by Tom Jay.

A rock obelisk has these words inscribed upon it:

Fresh water
A safe campsite.
What was once true
of this special place
Could be true again,
Now that you are here.

A rock nearby tells:

Spawn, roe, milt, redd, eyed alevin, sac-fry, parr, smolt, juvenile, adult, spawner, kipper, kelt.

While standing by the obelisk, face upstream. Head 340 degrees (all readings are magnetic) for 20 paces. Now head 60 degrees and keep the hidden creek to your right. A "Caution - Children Playing" yellow sign will appear to your left.

You will soon come to an urban island. Cross it and stay the course. Your path bends to the right and back to the left while increasing in elevation. If you are unsure of yourself, ask the Director. He knows the way.

Soon you will come to a 4-way intersection. Look for a church steeple. Walk towards it and use the mid-block crosswalk to reach a small stairway with a red metal railing on each side. Walk up the steps. Take a left through the parking lot to another parking lot.

Head 70 degrees and follow a gravel alley, which will turn into a trail. Pass between two concrete barriers. You can hear my creek on your right. When you reach a triangle, continue straight.

A five-headed maple stands alone and guards the right of the trail. A sharp eye will soon spot a dead snag riddled by woodpeckers off to the right.

Soon a choice of two bridges must be made. Pick the one that crosses the main creek. Continue to a Y. Bear right and cross a long wooden walkway. You will pass through salmon berry bushes. Stay on the main trail and cross a small wooden bridge over moving water.

Follow the trail downstream. Go up 32 steps. Walk along and take in the views of the creek bed down and to the right. At a graveled T continue straight. Pass through a cedar and fir snag gate.

At the Y, go right and down 12 steps, then down 10 more. A short walk downhill will reveal a small trail to your right. Look for an old staircase. Climb the 8 steps.

Soon you will come to a T, where a left is needed. You will see a small clearing with a view of my creek. Look for a hollowed out gnarled root (hidden by ferns) between a 3-headed maple and a single maple. There you will find me. Be careful when removing me. Trails look down upon this area.

Find your way back to the bottom of the 10 steps. Go right and exit the woods. As you enter the parking lot, a soothing Glen Garden is to your right. Head straight to return to your starting point.

This is my fifth planted letterbox. Please email me with any questions or comments at Keegan62002@yahoo.com.