Help: Getting Started
Help Home > Getting Started
- What is letterboxing?
- Where are letterboxes hidden?
- What do I need to letterbox?
- What is a signature stamp?
- Do I need a trail name?
- What's the difference between a trail name and an alias?
- What kind of logbook should I use?
- Where can I acquire letterboxing supplies?
- Why do we place letterboxes?
- Can we change or replace our signature stamp once we start?
- Can we change our trail name after we start?
- What are, and how do you do a Postal Letterbox?
- Are there other ideas for documenting one's adventures?
- What are Treasure Hikers?
- How do I add a "find" to my logbook?
- How do I narrow down the hundreds of boxes available?
- Is there a clue guide available for downtown Charlotte, NC?
- Is there a clue guide available for McDowell Nature Center and Preserve in Charlotte, NC?
- Is there a clue guide available for Latta Plantation and Nature Preserve in Huntersville, NC?
- What do I do when I find a Geocache?
What is letterboxing?
Letterboxing, at its basic, is a like a treasure hunt type game. Small boxes are hidden in various locations—usually outdoors, though many are planted indoors as well—and the creator of the box will release clues so others can go out and find them later. The box is expected to have a logbook that finders can log into and a unique stamp, usually hand-carved, that the finder can stamp into their own personal logbook as a record of all the letterboxes they've found. Most letterboxers have a unique stamp to represent themselves, called a signature stamp, they stamp into the logbooks found inside letterboxes so others who find the letterbox later know they found it.
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Where are letterboxes hidden?
Letterboxes can be hidden almost anywhere. Most are planted in scenic, outdoor areas, but others have been planted in bookstores, libraries, zoos, pubs, coffee shops, cemeteries, playgrounds, and one was even planted in the Smithsonian while another was planted at Disneyland. Where one can plant a letterbox is limited to only your imagination, though for legal or security reasons, you should avoid planting boxes in some locations such as national parks or airports and, well, Disneyland.
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What do I need to letterbox?
To start finding boxes, all you need is a clue such as those provided on Atlas Quest. It's also recommended that you have a signature stamp, a logbook, an ink pad, and something to write with. The signature stamp is what you'll stamp into the logbook you find in the letterbox. Many letterboxes contain ink pads, but you should always bring your own since most do not, and even if they do, the ink pad in the box could be frozen solid, dried up, and otherwise incapacitated. Most letterboxers carry several small ink pads with varying colors. Having something to write with is nice so you can write in the logbook the date and perhaps a comment about the weather or experiences in finding the box. And you'll want your own, personal logbook so you can record all your finds with the stamp found in the letterbox.
Many boxes require a compass to find, so a compass should become part of your regular letterboxing kit. They're cheap and lightweight, and directions for using them can be found in our compass tutorial. You'll find gloves invaluable for those times when you need to reach your hand into deep, dark holes that letterboxes are so frequently found in. Depending on the location and circumstances, you may also want to bring water, snacks, sunglasses, hat, mosquito repellent, cell phone, flashlight, first-aid kit, and anything else that would ensure your safety, comfort, and general well-being.
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What is a signature stamp?
A signature stamp is a unique stamp that represents yourself in some manner, and can be stamped into logbooks you find to show you've been there. Most letterboxers will urge you to create a hand-carved stamp rather than a store-bought one because we enjoy seeing what others can create. No artistic talent necessary! Carving a stamp is surprisingly quick and easy to do with the right guidance and tools, and our stamp carving tutorial is an excellent place to get started. Many first-time letterboxers, too eager to get out and start finding letterboxes before carving a signature stamp, will use their thumbprint. (Many experienced letterboxers who forget to bring their signature stamp have been known to use this method as well!)
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Do I need a trail name?
Trail names are optional, though a growing number of letterboxers are adopting them. Part of it is just for fun, though others have made the argument that for personal safety and security, it's best not to be too loose with your real name. If you choose to go with a trail name, though, consider that it might follow you around for a long, long time to come. Don't select one you may regret later.
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What's the difference between a trail name and an alias?
A trail name is the normal name that other letterboxers will know you as. An alias is like a secret identity—another trail name that nobody knows is you. Letterboxing is a very secretive hobby so it's not surprising the some letterboxers have adopted one or more aliases for any number of reasons. Read SpringChick's An Alias Among Us for more details about aliases and reasons you may or may not want to choose one for yourself.
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What kind of logbook should I use?
New letterboxers always have a barrage of questions about logbooks. What size should they be? What should go in them? In a nutshell, it comes down to what you want to do. Every letterboxer has their own way of doing logbooks. Some people stamp finds onto index cards that can be sorted and easily carried. Others create diary-like journals where they paste in pictures of the hike or the clue itself along with information about the date and time, who they hiked with, or any other notes they care to take. For less-ambitious folks out there, they might only include the stamp image with the name of the box and the date it was found.
Those who use index cards generally save them in a photo album. You can add, remove, or rearrange pages from some types of photo album. Obviously, you can insert photos from the adventures right alongside the cards with the stamp images. This method has the benefit that you're not carrying the entire logbook with you on the trail, which means you're not carrying as much, and if it starts raining or you fall in a creek only the cards you have along get wet. On the downside, if you run into another letterboxer on the trail, you won't have your logbook along to show off. You could keep it in the car, of course.
Others prefer to use an heirloom-quality book of some sort, perhaps leather-bound. A collection of unique hand-carved stamp images can be very impressive when collected in a fine volume. The fact that the book has been carried over many trails just adds to its character.
If there's one thing most letterboxers can agree on when it comes to logbooks, it's to use one with blank, white pages. Lined pages look tacky—lines are for writing between, not for stamping on—and stamp images show up best on white pages. Also, if you're into making your own paper, you might reconsider for your logbook. Home-made paper tends to be grainy and doesn't stamp very well. Outside of that, it's really up to you and your imagination!
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Where can I acquire letterboxing supplies?
Rubber stamp stores have many of the supplies letterboxers will need—especially the ink pads. Carving supplies can be more challenging to find since most rubber stamp stores actually expect you to buy rubber stamps rather than provide supplies to carve your own, though they usually have something for carving. Arts and crafts stores such as Michael's carry lots of useful supplies, though the employees that work there may not be familiar with carving tools! The carving blocks and carving tools, contrary to what you might think, are not located in the stamp aisle. Most likely, you'll find carving materials in the same area where you'll find stencils and calligraphy items. Don't ask why—nobody has a good answer for that and it may rank as one of the world's most enduring mysteries.
You can also find online sources at great prices such as MisterArt.com. One low-cost alternative many letterboxers prefer to use for carving blocks is PZ Kut, which can be purchased at Stampeaz.
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Why do we place letterboxes?
So Hill Henderson's Message 21341 says it all.
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Can we change or replace our signature stamp once we start?
Of course! Sometimes old stamps wear out and need replacement, but more often than not, people just like to shake things up a bit. Some people have created seasonal signature stamps, others have different sizes for different sized logbooks, others have several they carry around and use the one they feel best fits the letterbox, and still others like to change their signature stamp after every 100 finds or some other criteria of their choice. Others have replaced old, store-bought stamps with a beautiful hand-carved stamp once their carving skills have improved, or maybe even replace old, 'rustic' signature stamps with more refined carvings after a little more experience.
You are welcome to change your signature stamp as often as necessary, for any reason that suits your moods.
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Can we change our trail name after we start?
Of course! While changing one's signature stamp may not cause too much confusion, however, changing your trail name can confuse people who want to contact you or list exchanges with you, so it's best to keep trail name changes to a minimum. Try to pick a good name you'll enjoy for years to come before the name 'attaches' itself to you. Once it's attached, you'll find it much more difficult to change later. You can change it, but the process becomes more difficult.
On Atlas Quest, you can change your trail name from the Account Information page. Your old trail name will stay on your profile, though, to help others identify you. If you change your trail name, none of your other information will change. You'll still have the same PFX counts, anyone who has exchanged with you will automatically have the name change reflected in their exchanges, and so forth. As far as Atlas Quest is concerned, it is like you had always been using the new name.
Additionally, you may want to announce your name change on the message boards so people who know you by your old trail name will know about the change. For a month or so, many people find it useful to include a note with their e-mails or posts indicating the name change, such as "Green Tortuga, formerly known as Green Turtle."
The point is you want to make an extra effort to let people who knew you by your old trail name be able to identify you with the new one.
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What are, and how do you do a Postal Letterbox?
Help Home > Getting Started
Are there other ideas for documenting one's adventures?
One idea is to get a map and put a dot in every spot where you've found a letterbox. You could use one big national (or even world) map, or you could do it state-by-state using state maps if you want. You can fold these maps up and carry them with you to events, or you can post them on a wall in your home. You can use different color dots for different years.
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What are Treasure Hikers?
TREASURE HIKERS
Yep. We're all treasure hikers in the general sense of the word... each little piece of art set free in the world is a treasure to plant and find.
But there is a larger game afoot to encourage more boxes on longer distance trails and paths, and that game is Treasure Hikers!
Mama Fox, of the Little Foxes, came up with the original idea and it wasn't long before other states wanted to kick up their hiking heels as well.
Here is the OFFICIAL TREASURE HIKER WEBSITE. It is located at www.TreasureHikersUSA.com
Treasure Hiking is a fun way to set hiking goals while letterboxing and earn cool pathtags or other accessories!
Guidelines
Here's the only rule: One point for each mile hiked while letterboxing, either finding or planting, on hikes of 1 mile or longer round trip.If you have a question about whether something fits the Rule, use your own judgment, bearing in mind that we are operating on the honor system when you report your points. If you need clarification, read through the Suggestions and Footnotes below. The FAQ list is found below the table showing participating states and state coordinators. If you have questions about the program in one of the participating states, please contact the coordinator for that state.
Friendly Suggestions:
- Each hike must be a minimum of one (1) mile in length round trip.
- Maintenance should not count – you will be doing maintenance anyway ;-))
- Boxes and plants should only be counted once for the purposes of “hiking while letterboxing”. So if you hike out to a box you have already found with a friend or for maintenance, enjoy the walk, but don’t count the points. Or take a new box with you to plant.
- The true Treasure Hiker Spirit is about hiking while letterboxing, and reporting is on the honor system, so let's all try to play fair and have fun. If you “cheat”, you are only denying yourself boxes you haven’t found, miles you haven’t hiked, and beautiful places you haven’t seen!
Other Footnotes:
- Refer to your state's hiking motivator to find out when the start date for the program is.
- Keep track of your hikes and boxes found, maybe like this or just add the Treasure Hiker Widget. When you get your 25 points, email your state motivator and you will receive your tag!! List should include date, mileage, boxes found.
- All hikes must be done IN the state you are requesting a tag from – but ANY letterboxer is eligible- you don’t have to be a resident of that state to participate. Trail miles earned in each participating state count toward that state's particular pathtag.
- Refer to your state's hiking motivator for the cost of the tag (most are around $3). The cost is to recoup the upfront costs and shipping-- like state patches, no profit is made off of these.
If you are interested in starting a program for your state, contact one of the state representatives listed below:
| Participating state | Who to contact | How to contact | Starting Date |
| California | The Gillespie Tribe | AQ email | 4-01-09 |
| Connecticut | Kit Kat 61 or The Quackers | AQ email | 6-01-09 |
| Florida | ThreeHearts | AQ email | 5/1/09 |
| Georgia | Buttercup, Hawkeye | AQ email | 3/20/09 |
| Illinois | Nitrocat | AQ e-mail | 4/24/09 |
| Kentucky | Eeny Meany Miney Moe | AQ e-mail | 3/1/09 |
| Maine | mudflinginfools | AQ e-mail | ??? |
| Massachusetts | Choi | AQ e-mail | 4/25/09 |
| Michigan | the hicks from the sticks | AQ e-mail | 5/22/09 |
| New Hampshire | mudflinginfools | AQ e-mail | ??? |
| North Carolina | The Little Foxes or Knit Wit | AQ e-mail | 3/1/09 |
| Ohio | Mama Stork, Trailtracker, becohio | AQ email | 3/1/09 |
| Oregon | Mystic Dreamer | AQ e-mail | 3-20-09 |
| South Carolina | dtandfambly or JWalkers | AQ e-mail | 3/1/09 |
| Tennessee | mstrwndl | AQ e-mail | 3/4/09 |
| Texas | PI Joe | AQ e-mail | TBA |
| Washington | CampFireLady | AQ e-mail | 3-20-09 |
There are other similar hiking incentive programs. Contact the organizer(s) listed for the program.
| Program name | Who to contact | How to contact | Starting Date |
| New York Letterbox Hiking Challenge | Jackbear, Scout, or Sahalie | AQ e-mail | 4/2/09 |
| NC Mountain Challenge | Dixie or The Little Foxes | AQ e-mail | in planning stages |
Frequently Asked Questions
Really the program is on the honor system, and we prefer that you have fun in the spirit of the game and count your points using your own conscience.
However, some questions get asked regularly so, for the sake of consistent answers (and the sanity of the moderators), this section was added.
What if the box is a one mile hike but I get lost and travel for 3 miles? How many points would that be? Only one. No extra points for being directionally challenged.
Can I go get 10 drivebys at .1 mile each and say that's one mile? No. None of these are qualifying boxes. A qualifying box must be a one mile hike (round trip).
Can I use a bike instead of hiking? No. The program is for hiking. There's nothing stopping you from making your own Treasure Biking program, though.
Do attempts count? No. They don't count as finds and they don't count toward points in this program either. However, if you take a box with you and plant it at one mile or more you could get a point for that.
What if I start a 6 mile hike but I don't finish it? I only do 3 miles one day, then next week I go back for the farthest boxes and do 6 miles? Do I count 9 miles total or only 6? You should count 9 miles total. You did 3 miles one day and 6 miles another day. Just because the boxes happened to be in a series does not change that you hiked 9 miles total on 2 separate days to qualifying boxes.
Can my dog get a pathtag? If your dog walked the distance with you, go ahead and order one for his collar too!
What if I walk a mile to get to a driveby box? Then can I count it? No. A qualifying box is one that is one mile in hike length for anyone to get to. You can't make it a qualifying box by just setting your own starting point.
If I am in a park where there are several separate letterboxes listed and I can find them all by stringing them together to make a hike greater than one mile, can I receive pathtag points? The Treasure Hikers program was originally envisioned as a way to encourage planting boxes on longer hikes in areas where the tendency seemed to be planting drivebys. While many of the coordinators still adhere to the idea that the box you are seeking should require a hike of one mile or more, we also recognize that there are some areas where finding a mile-long trail may be a challenge. Follow your conscience. If you live in such an area, consider planting an urban box that might incorporate a mile-long "sightseeing tour" of your city in the clues.
I heard New York was doing things a little different, what's the deal with that? The New York organizers were inspired by the original Treasure Hikers group, but being New Yorkers, wanted to put a little different spin on it. A Challenge Patch is available for different miles accomplished, 25,50, 75, and 100 instead of a pathtag. They also honor attempts and maintenance, and any other excuse you have to get out and letterbox. As with the Treasure Hikers, the New York Letterbox Hiking Challenge encourages participants to challenge themselves to go on longer hikes. For more information on the NY guidelines, go to:NY Letterbox Hiking Challenge Patch Guidelines
What about partial miles? If we hike 3.5 miles round trip can we round our points up to 4? Rounding up from the halfway point is technically taking credit for mileage that you didn't really hike. Most of the members are rounding down to the whole if the fraction is under a half and rounding down to the half if it is over the halfway point. The beauty of the tracking widget designed by Wassa is that you can input exact mileage without rounding at all. If you truly want credit for that partial mile, use the widget tracker. :-) In addition, as stated above, each individual hike must be at least one mile round trip to begin with. No hiking .7 miles one week and .3 the next and adding them together for one mile.
Help Home > Getting Started
How do I add a "find" to my logbook?
Reference the Recording Finds category of the help pages for help with adding finds and attempts to your logbooks.
Help Home > Getting Started
How do I narrow down the hundreds of boxes available?
There are several ways to more effectively search through many box listings to find the ones that you would like the most:
- Learn Atlas Quest's Advanced Search feature. This feature allows you to sort by hike length, by specific planters, only for hand carved, pet friendly, etc. If you change the search type to "area" you can even search for all the mysteries in a particular state. By changing the search type to "trip," that enables the trip planner search which allows you to search stretches along major highways and trails such as Interstates or the Appalachian Trail.
- Look for boxes that others have rated highly with Blue Diamonds icons.
- Look for boxes that planters have rated highly (of their own boxes) with Planter's Choice icons
- Do a search on that city and when it pulls up all the listings, hit the "map results" button in the upper right hand corner. It will give you a map of the locations of the boxes that are listed IF the planter gave the address.
- Contact a local boxer. Out of all the choices above, a local boxer is going to be the most knowledgeable. You can do this privately in an e-mail (you may notice a lot of boxes in an area planted by the same person) or publicly on the state message boards (some areas use Yahoo Groups to communicate more than Atlas Quest. If you know that, you may what to join that group prior to coming through the area for tips). Some areas also have developed clue guides with tips and boxes for specific frequently visited places in their area.
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Is there a clue guide available for downtown Charlotte, NC?
Yes. After answering this question repeatedly, it just seemed to make sense to put one together. Every box listed in this guide as well as the tips to each box has been done only with permission of each planter. By listing it in Wiki, anyone can update it to keep the information more up to date (or add or remove their boxes as they see fit). You can also check the revision date of this question listing to see when the guide was last updated.
If you'd like a visual map of the guide below you can look here or contact The Wolf Family with a private e-mail address to have a better version sent to you.
DOWNTOWN CHARLOTTE CLUE GUIDE
This is downtown Charlotte – the nation’s second largest banking center—expect it to be busy during the week. That being said, you won’t have problems with parking in these ‘boxing areas. You should be able to find free parking at or near each area. If you go during rush hour in the morning or late afternoon expect the traffic to crawl. If you go on the weekends all parking is free on the streets and it is oftentimes practically vacant unless there is an event (at Panther’s Stadium or the Bobcat’s Arena).N. GRAHAM ST & W. 6th ST
I Want to Teach the World to Sing *
*If you don’t see the large coke painting on a building when you past the intersection on Graham, just turn around. You won’t miss it from the other direction. You can park in the CVS on Graham St.
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ELMWOOD / PINEWOOD CEMETERY (700 W. 6th St)
Elmwood/Pinewood United
Elmwood/Pinewood History
The Confederate
GAQLBE09: Registered Nurse
What’s that behind you?
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RAY’S SPLASH PLANET (215 N. Sycamore)
GAQLBE09: Go Green
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MCGILL ROSE GARDEN (940 N. Davidson St)
Hope *
*Check the link to the rose garden in the clue for the times that the garden is open. You cannot access the box if it is closed.
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ST. MARY’S CHAPEL IN THOMPSON PARK (1129 E. 3rd St) *
To Live in Hearts
*Parking is free any time but it may be crowded if there is a wedding going on. If you want to tour inside the chapel, it’s open only on Friday from 12-4pm.
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STARTING AT THE SEVENTH STREET STATION (260 E. 7th St) *
*Parking is free for 90 minutes during the week at the Seventh St Station ONLY with parking validation (from Reid’s Fine Foods or Brixx’s Pizza). There’s parking across the road for $5 if you don’t want to worry about watching the time. Parking on the street is completely free on the weekends.
The Seventh Street Station building is musical and has a riddle on the wall (on the side facing the train). You can also just take the Lynx line here (see the clue for more information).
Center City Walking Tour
Check the links in the clue for the times that ImaginOn is open. You will need to go inside the building for the clues to the box.
The clue for the Center City Walking Tour also includes a route to the box:
Settlers' Cemetery
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FROM THE STONEWALL STATION STOP:
From the station heading West:
The Green (S. Tryon between Stonewall and Martin Luther King Jr.) This is a 3 block walk from the train stop OR for parking:
This is the only one that can be challenging to park near on the weekdays. The Visitor Center is across the street (see a red dot with an “i” in it). They direct you to Visitor Center parking. I was told there that you can park there for 30 minutes free if you check in at the Visitor Center (there’s a lot of good info. there so it’s worth checking that out anyway). On the weekends, look to see if the exit gate for the Visitor Center parking is up (if so, it’s free), if not, you may want to park along the road (metered spots are free on weekends).
Moon and Stars
Lynx Light Rail Line Series: Charlotte Observer
(Pick up the light rail from downtown and get off at the Stonewall Station stop)-- LOOK AT THE CLUE AHEAD OF TIME SINCE THERE IS A BIT OF A PUZZLE TO SOLVE FOR THE STARTING POINT but it's really not that hard if you don't over think it.
Off the Station heading East:
Lynx Light Rail Line Series: Moonshine Runners
(If you don't take the train you can park for free at 700 E. Stonewall in the Walton Plaza Parking lot and walk about 3 blocks to the Hall of Fame).
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FROM THE EAST/WEST BLVD STATION STOP:
Lynx Light Rail Line Series: Historic South End
(pick up the light rail from downtown and get off at the East/West Blvd stop or see the clue for driving info.)
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The clue guide has all the boxes in the area listed regardless of their current status (they are only deleted from the guide if they are retired). Please check the status of the listed boxes to see if they are currently available
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Is there a clue guide available for McDowell Nature Center and Preserve in Charlotte, NC?
Yes. After answering this question repeatedly, it just seemed to make sense to put one together. Every box listed in this guide as well as the tips to each box has been done only with permission of each planter. By listing it in Wiki, anyone can update it to keep the information more up to date (or add or remove their boxes as they see fit). You can also check the revision date of this question listing to see when the guide was last updated.
McDowell Nature Center and Preserve Clue Guide
This Mecklenburg County park has camping, fishing, hiking, and many different classes. There is a $5 entrance fee if you are out of the county and IF someone is manning the booth there. If you are camping or get there early enough or during the off season you won't even have to pay it. You can even rent a tent and cots that are already set up. They are aware of the letterboxing and geocaches in the park since they even teach classes on this hobby (but use their own boxes for the classes).GET A MAP AT THE GATE OR THE NATURE CENTER OR PRINT ONE HERE.
CLUES BY TRAIL:
Chestnut Trail: (accessible from the campground with no fee)
1.2 mile, moderate trail loop with occasional steep inclines. Not stroller friendly. Hold your child’s hand at some parts since the trail goes very near steep inclines off the edges of the trail.
Park at the Campground near the Information building
Pick up the trail beside the building. This is practically a drive by, but you will be going downhill and down steps which you will then have to climb back up.
James K. Polk
Grey Squirrel
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Kingfisher Trail
.9 mile hike considered easy. This is not a stroller friendly trail (roots), but it is a lovely trail with views of the lake. It is longer than .9 miles since it is NOT a loop! But it is divided into several access points which make shorter hikes.
Park at the Campground (accessible from the campground with no fee)
Andrew Johnson
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Park at the Waterfront Deck (drive past the playground to the end of the road):
If you did the above one then you could try continuing on to do the next clues (by walking up the Kingfisher Trail to the Waterfront deck) but it will put you a much longer distance from you car and this is not a loop! I recommend walking back and then driving up to the Waterfront Deck. It's a lovely spot and you may want to hang out there for a while anyway.
Trail entrance by the lake (down to flag and turn right):
Dragonfly in the park
Black Widow
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PARK AT THE NATURE CENTER:
//Right behind the Nature Center://
Eastern Box Turtle
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Shady Hollow Trail (starting at Nature Center)
Classified as a moderate .6 mile trail. The path is gravel in sections. This trail is not that long but it has the SHARPEST trail grades (uphill and downhill) in the park.
Dixie Boot Tracks
AT
Loose Associations
Sierra Trail:
Easy .3 mile loop. Wide, flat, stroller friendly with an educational nature trail map.
Wright Stuff
Copperhead
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Four Seasons Trail to Creekside Trail to Cedar Ridge Trail:
Drive past the Nature Center, through the parking lot pass the Pavilion and park at the tiny lot at the very end of the road.
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Four Seasons Trail
This is a flat, paved .3 mile loop that it BEAUTIFUL. It’s a handicapped trail.
Music in the Park
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Creekside Trail
Creekside is classified as an easy 1.2 mile loop, however, since you have to go through Four Seasons as well, this is the LONGEST hike in the preserve. If you start at the Pine Hollow Trail (like the clue says), it’s even longer. The trail is fairly flat but due to narrowness and some roots, it’s not stroller friendly.
McDowell (ONLY the Creekside box is active)
The Creekside box is a qualifying box for the Treasure Hiking Program. It can be used to earn hiking points in NC toward a pathtag. For additional info. look here:
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Cove Trail:
Moderate, .8 mile trail—not a loop
Drive toward the Picnic Shelter (shelter NOT pavillion) on your map, pass the Shady Hollow Trail, pass the Cove Trail entrance on the right and turn at the first left and park in the pull off area
This end of the Cove Trail is a down hill trail. It’s a fairly short hike for a lot of boxes. Not stroller friendly.
Don’t Bug Me!
Cowkiller
*Noon Day Sun
*Bird House
*Pay attention to the clues. When you reach the lake, Noon Day Sun is to the left (not very far) and Bird House is to the right).
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ADDITIONAL
Scotch Bonnet
*Cuckoo
*Running Deer
*There are no clues here on AQ BUT if you are observant while on the trail to a Wolf Family box you just may see them…
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Is there a clue guide available for Latta Plantation and Nature Preserve in Huntersville, NC?
Yes. After answering this question repeatedly, it just seemed to make sense to put one together. Every box listed in this guide as well as the tips to each box has been done only with permission of each planter. By listing it in Wiki, anyone can update it to keep the information more up to date (or add or remove their boxes as they see fit). You can also check the revision date of this question listing to see when the guide was last updated.
Latta Plantation and Nature Preserve Clue Guide
This Mecklenburg County Park has fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, plantation tours, a raptor center exhibit, nature center, and gift shop. Entrance to the park is free and all the letterboxes are located in free areas. There is a fee to see the plantation and the raptor center only.PICK UP A TRAIL MAP AT THE NATURE CENTER OR PRINT ONE HERE.
Clues are listed in order from the entrance of the preserve to the back. The boxes are also listed as in order as they are on the trail unless otherwise indicated. You will need to check the links to the clues to see if the boxes are currently available or not.
HILL TRAIL (Hiking Only)
The Three Little Pigs: Patrick
Bell
PRAIRIE TRAIL (Hiking Only)
Twin Sons of a Different Mother
Rowling’s Raptors: Hedwig
SPLIT ROCK TRAIL (starting at Rowling’s Raptors: Hedwig)
Where Have all the Cowboys Gone?*
*From the Piedmont Prairie trail you turn right to get this box. Then turn back and head in the other direction for the rest:
Freebird’s Economic Stimulus Package
Nina Remembered
COVE TRAIL
The Golden Unicorn
BEECHWOOD TRAIL (Hiking Only)
Bible Belt: The Dove *
*this one does not necessarily come before the other boxes. I just listed it first since you need to count benches and will have to keep track of that as you go around. I have also not told you which direction you are traveling—you’ll need to figure out the clue for that
Flying Purity
Tu-Whit Tu-Who
TREASURE TREE TRAIL (Hiking Only)
3 21’s
Bible Belt: O Tannenbaum *
GAZEBO NEAR THE ROAD (just after the Raptor Center):
Endangered Species: BlueBird
SHADY TRAIL (Hiking and Horse) --Gazebo end
The Raptor Letterbox
AUDUBON TRAIL (Hikers only)—road just past gazebo to boating dock
Endangered Species: Panda
BUZZARD ROCK TRAIL (Hiking and Horse)
Bible Belt: Noah’s Ark *
*You will pass the intersection with the sign “Washwoman Rock”. Remember this since you need to come back to it for the next clues
Igpay Atinlay*
*You will just past Laura’s Trail. Double back to it and pick up the clues there for the next box.
Brock-Snake
How How (WOM—not listed on any online website)*
Pass Brock-Snake and head up to the large rocks. HUGE rock on the left near the trail. Behind the back of this rock, under another rock.
*I discovered this old letterbox while planting one day. It was created by Eagle Ray. When I contacted him about it, he stated that he gave it to some friends for planting and never heard about it again. He thought they hadn’t planted it. That was about 3 years ago! I told him where it was but he has not listed it yet. I did give me permission to put it on this guide with the clues, though.
GAQLBE09: Harbor Lights
AUDUBON TRAIL (Hikers only)—starting at end of road (across from plantation)
Pride of Charlotte: Box #1-3
Rowling’s Raptors: Errol *
*Look for the gazebo while doing Pride of Charlotte series and pick up the Errol clue from there.
CATTAIL TRAIL (Hikers only)
Pride of Charlotte: Box #4-5
Rowling’s Raptors: Pigwidgeon *
*Look for the owl perch in this clue while doing the Pride of Charlotte boxes.
NOT IN LATTA BUT JUST ACROSS THE STREET AT THE CHURCH
Three Little Pigs: Peter
Help Home > Getting Started
What do I do when I find a Geocache?
Geocachers use the 'take an item, leave an item' system when finding a cache, instead of stamping in. You may stamp in and put TNLNSL which means: Took Nothing Left Nothing Signed Log...OR just leave it alone. If you want something from the Geocache be sure to write in the log what it was you took and what it was you left. Its always polite to go to the GCsite and log your "find".
You can join www.geocaching.com to play the game or to see if there is a geocache near your letterboxing plant.
Help Home > Getting Started