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Chuck & Molly's The Abominable Snowman The Grays Three letterboxes which are part of my never ending series called "In Search of" are planted on the same Joshua’s Trust property known as the Church Farm. The clues to each letterbox are listed separately so be sure to print the clues to all three boxes before starting out. This property is mostly in Ashford, but a piece of it is in Mansfield. I think this area is very under rated as a hiking area, probably because of the lack of parking. Molly and I have been enjoying it for several years and think it’s time we share it with our fellow boxers. The trail is very well marked with yellow blazes. Coming from Mansfield Center at the intersection of routes 89 and 195, go down route 89, 4.7 miles to a stop light. This is the intersection of Mount Hope Road and route 89. You will see a bridge on the right going over the Mount Hope River. Continue on route 89 until you pass the Mansfield Ashford town line. A sign will be on the left side of the road. Take the first left past the town line off of route 89. This is Varga Road. At .5 mile you will pass Ashford Hills Apartments on the left. At .6 mile bear left. The road will become gravel just before the trail entrance at .9 miles. Coming from the intersection of routes 89 and 44 in Ashford, take route 89 south 1.7 miles towards Mansfield. Varga road will be on the right. The trail starts by going over a stone wall right at the edge of the road. Do not go down the drive on the left just before the trail. This is a private driveway. Parking is poor but there are spots along the side of the road. To park your car, you will have to turn the car around, and park on the side of the road. There is room for a few cars here. This preserve is not widely used and there is a good chance that during your hike, you will not see anyone else. Cross over the stone wall and follow the trail blazes. Chuck & Molly's Placed: 3-29-03 The trail to this box is the easiest and most level part of the series. For a short distance the trail is in a wooded lot between some houses. There are short paths off the main path going to these houses. Just follow the yellow blazed trees. Hike for .2 miles until you come to an intersection where you can go either left or straight. There is an old foundation at this corner. The trail is wide like a dirt road. Go straight here. You will pass over a small stream. Along the trail you will come to a Y in the trail, go east with the yellow blazes. Keep walking until the trail passes over a stone wall. There are actually some stones right on the trail you have to step on. Go west along the south side of this wall for 11 steps. Look very low near the ground inside an opening in the wall. You need not move any stones. The box is visible and can be taken out without moving anything. Here is the In Search of a Unicorn letterbox. Click here to continue on to In Search of the Abominable Snowman Letterbox. Before you set out, please read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer. |