Dutchman’s Breeches

Site Notes…

This box is located at Hoffmaster State Park. A Michigan State Parks vehicle pass is required for entry and can be purchased at the park. Please check the park web site for dates and hours of operation.

Clues…

Hike a mile along this trail,
In the latter days of April,
Beneath the leafless trees,
The Dutchman’s Breeches you will see.

He’s stashed an extra pair,
And you can find them there,
Snugly wedged near overlapping Y’s
Near the top of twenty-five.

Walk-A-Mile

Historical Notes…

This letterbox was originally planted, at this location, with a store-bought stamp in August 2002. It was one of the first letterboxes I planted and survived well over the past few years. A replacement box, with hand-carved stamp and new logbook, was put in place in April 2008.

Site Notes…

This box is located at Hoffmaster State Park. A Michigan State Parks vehicle pass is required for entry and can be purchased at the park. Please check the park web site for dates and hours of operation.

Clues…

Below is a list of landmarks/clues in order of encounter… (Note: there is no more than 1/10 of a mile distance between each of the items on the list, so if you find yourself walking more than 5 minutes looking for the next one, either you missed it or something has gone wrong.)

* Right angle
* Bent but not broken
* TVH
* Quadruple bow
* Blackberry summer
* 25 down
* X
* High road to 6 trunks
* Moss-green carpet
* What dad says is right
* Lake Michigan ahead
* 3-armed oak
* Tangled toes
* Siamese oaks
* Triple bypass overhead
* Sandy beech feet
* Right not up
* Horizontally parallel couple
* Double-breasted maple
* 10 degrees to rippled beech
* due south to fallen log

After you have successfully found the letterbox, you can either continue on the trail to the beach and walk the shoreline back to the parking area, or go back through the woods the way you came in. The beach route is a lovely walk and gives you the opportunity to splash in the water a bit (it’s also about 1/2 the distance).

Seagull Shadows

Historical Notes…

This letterbox, previously named Spirit of the Dunes, was originally planted in this location with a store-bought stamp in August 2002. It was one of the first letterboxes I planted and survived well over the past few years. A replacement box, with hand-carved stamp and new logbook, was put in place in April 2008.

Site Notes…

This box is located at Hoffmaster State Park. A Michigan State Parks vehicle pass is required for entry and can be purchased at the park. Please check the park web site for dates and hours of operation.

Clues…

Enter Homestead trail at parking lot east,
Climb up the hill, son-of-a-beast;
At hilltop watch for the trail to break,
No sign showing which way you should take.

Turn to the left, not right instead,
For if you should the wrong way head,
A shaded, quiet area you will reach,
And your trail will end before the beach.

Keep watch for deer along the trail,
In spring see trillium, dainty and pale;
Ahead now marker 7 points your way,
On the Homestead trail you must stay.

The sandy meadow basks in sunlight,
Unless of course, you’ve come by night;
Near the place many trails unwind,
Up and then left, marker 6 you will find.

Instead the pathway toward the lake,
Is the route you must choose to take;
Off to your left, a huge sand dune,
Listen, you will hear the water soon.

A few more turns, then through the trees,
The grassy beach and lake you’ll see;
Water your toes but not your dog,
Enjoy the view from an old fallen log.

Now take the north trail through the trees,
It won’t be far before you see,
Ahead on your right, it’s easy to spot,
A broken old tree with a huge hollow knot.

Just before this tree you reach,
A path leads westward toward the beach;
Just sixteen steps now toward the lake,
Find rooted treasure that’s at stake.

Spirit of the Dunes

Historical Notes…

This letterbox, previously named Seagull Shadows, was originally planted near this location with a store-bought stamp in August 2002. It was one of the first letterboxes I planted and went missing after about 2 years. A replacement box, with hand-carved stamp and new logbook, was put in place in April 2008.

Site Notes…

This box is located at Hoffmaster State Park. A Michigan State Parks vehicle pass is required for entry and can be purchased at the park. Please check the park web site for dates and hours of operation.

Clues…

Where Homestead meets the lake,
The northward shoreline you must take;
Watch for blowouts on your right,
The first one, nearly out of sight.

At the second, much larger in size,
The sand hill seems to reach the sky;
Choose which path you will follow,
To take you down into the hollow.

From the center of the sandy bowl,
Look up and right to spot your goal;
A clump of cedars aside the chute,
It’s up to you to choose your route.

Run, walk, crawl if you must…
(more than one person these hills have cussed)
When finally the cedar trees you reach,
Enjoy the views of lake and beach.

Now on the southern ridge is seen,
A pointing stump before an evergreen;
From this one whose limbs are broken,
The west ridge trail leads toward your token.

One stands twisted and broken, but not quite apart,
Here the count of steps you should start;
10 straight ahead to fallen trees,
Snuggled beneath, the prize you will see.

Once you’ve stamped in and rehidden the box, return to the sand hill and in the Spirit of the Dunes, run down as fast as you can, then enjoy a dip in the refreshing waters of Lake Michigan!