not to be found elsewhere

Buried Truffles

not to be found elsewhere

These boxes are along the Banks-Vernonia Trail Network near Banks,
Washington County, Oregon.

To the trailhead: From highway 26 west of Portland take Bacona Road
(just before highway 47) north about 1 1/2 miles to the Buxton
Trailhead parking area, on the right

On June 4,2002 Funhog (with the aid of the ever-creative Windairen)
placed the Fallen Feather Letterbox.

To the letterbox: From the Buxton Trestle Letterbox continue east
on the trail. Thirty six yards beyond the final plank of a wooden
span you will spot an avian abode east of the trail. The Fallen
Feather rests in its front yard screened by bark. Do not disturb
the neighbors. There may be babies on board.

On September 3, 2003 Funhog placed the B-V Hopper Letterbox

To the letterbox: continue east from the Fallen Feather untll you
meet up with a man on a tractor with an octet of bollards just
beyond. Take thirty-three more steps and look right for a
two-trunked tree. While moss is purported to live on the north
side of trees, look for a pile of moss and lichen at the foot
of the west side. Beneath is the B-V Hopper, a favorite meal for
those who dwell by Fallen Feather.

On November 15, 2005 Funhog placed the Winter Wanderer Letterbox
along the Banks Vernonia Linear Trail. Park at the Buxton Trailhead.

Every year, this striking thrush comes from Alaska to spend the
winter in our temperate forests. Bring two colors of ink for
this stamp, black and yellow/orange. Stamp the orange first and
then the black.

To the letterbox: Pass the pond and cross the road. Follow the
trail to a letterbox. Make a diary entry and continue on. Soon
you will find a hard hearted escapee from above to your right,
rubbing shoulders with two slender siblings. Look at its base.

Who, What, Where?

The first high school in the Pacific Northwest was opened in 1869, a mere ten years after the very first high school in the United States was opened in
Boston, MA. At the time, it was known as Portland High School. The first five students who completed their course work graduated in 1875. The location of
the school moved several times over the years and it’s current name was adopted in 1885.
The final move was in 1952 when the building in which it is housed today was built.

West of this historic school, situated on forty-six acres you will find a stunning French Renaissance chāteau.
On its east side there is a panoramic view of the city which include the grounds of the high school honored by these letterboxes. The Wildwood Trail passes
by to the west.

Since these letterboxes were created as a class field trip, one classroom period should be about what it will take for you to find this trio. The hunt for these three boxes
begins in the parking area of the chateau. Many visitors come to this lovely park and stealth in finding and rehiding these letterboxes will definitely be necessary.

Who (is the school named for?) Find the point where you can see Stumptown and Wy’east. Head downhill on asphalt past a staircase to a no parking sign.
Walk east from here. Twenty eight steps past the back door, a blue arrow marks this box, nestled in the fourth hole from the right.

What (is the school’s mascot?) Go South on the Wildwood:

Where (is the school located?) Go North on the Wildwood to the first switchback. Step off the trail over a small downed tree. Go fifteen steps to a stump. Five more steps past
this stump you will find a small log to the left. Look for the box under this log, masked with bark and moss.

| Home | Site Map | Email |