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MISSING!-Celtic Tree (Crann Bethadh) LbNA #14768 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Apr 30, 2005
Location:
City:Durango
County:La Plata
State:Colorado
Boxes:1
Planted by:y-nought
Found by: gecko colorado
Last found:Oct 5, 2009
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFam
Last edited:Apr 30, 2005
In Ireland when a clan would clear land for a new settlement they would leave one great tree in the center of the plain. This tree was the Crann Bethadh and it was a symbol of the well-being and integrity of the village. With its branches in the heavens and its roots in the underworld, the Spirit Tree tied all of creation together. Important ceremonies, like the crowning of a chieftain, were held under this tree. To cut down another village’s Crann Bethadh, even when at war, was considered a grave offense.

A narrow leaf cottonwood that I know has agreed to hold the Crann Bethadh letterbox for me. To find her you can start at Chatfield Reservoir near Denver and hike the 487 miles of the Colorado Trail to its southern end. Or you can drive west on 25th Street from Main Avenue in Durango and head up Junction Creek. The road winds around a bit, at 2.9 miles keep straight ahead until at 3.4 miles you come to a Forest Service sign at the trailhead.

Turn into the parking area on the left. Go to the three-part sign at the beginning of the trail and look at 188* to see the old girl with five main trunks. You might have to cross a little stream here depending on the season, but you don’t need to cross the actual Junction Creek. The letterbox is nestled under a gnarled root on the south side of this tree concealed by some rocks. After visiting her, make sure to head up this road another 7 miles to the Animas Overlook letterboxes.