CivilWar

Background: This is another of the Kurdziel's Magic Tree House letterboxes based upon the series of children's books by Mary Pope Osborne. Living in New England we had a difficult time trying to find a tie-in to the Civil War but I think we managed...

Difficulty: Clues and hike - easy. This is a 1-1/2 mile hike over easy trails and old country lanes. Black Farm is a quietly scenic state management area with old country roads winding through pine forests. The trails are easily traversed by mountain bike. In hunting season you must wear orange.

Directions: Take exit 2 off of I-95 and head south on Woodville Alton road (worst paved road in the state). Approximately 1-1/2 miles on your left will be the parking area for Black Farm. If you continue on this road it will eventually lead to Collins Road (one of the most scenic roads in South County during the fall).

Clues: Take the trail leading from the parking lot into the woods. This trail serves as a feeder to the loop that you will be taking today. In a few minutes the path will fork. Take the left path which drops down and crosses Canonchet Brook. The right path will be your return. There are two water crossings ahead over very bad bridges. If the water is too high, the first bridge is missing (it is not secured in any way) or you are not comfortable crossing it you can backtrack and take the alternate route.** On our first trip the bridge had washed downstream and we were forced to resort to the alternate.

Take care in crossing the first bridge as it is not anchored in any way. When you reach the second water crossing a short ways later you will see that its bridge is in even worse shape. You can take your chances on it or jump over the water. Once you have successfully navigated the water hazards the trail leads to the top of a hill and comes to a "T" at an old road. Ahead through the woods you will see a pond. Plain Pond is a kettle hole pond similar to many others in the area (Deep Pond) that was formed through glacial action.

Turn right on the road and go down and explore the pond. When you are done continue on the road. After a short ways there will be another road leading off to your left. Take note as this is the route you will use after finding your first letterbox. Soon there will be a clearing on your left with a small stone wall-encased cemetary. Enter the cemetary and look at the gravestones on your right. One of them belongs to Charles L. Collins, a young soldier who died at the tender age of 16 in the Civil War. Exit the graveyard and find the outside, southern corner of the surrounding stone wall. On the right hand side, hidden in the wall, you will find "A Soldier's Grave." (If you have read the headstone you will see that "A Sailor's Grave" may have been more accurate.) This area appears to be well maintained but be alert for bull briars.

Turn right on the trail and head back to the road that you previously noted. This time it will be on your right. Take this needle strewn lane as it wanders through a half mile of white pine forest. Shortly before this road ends in a meadow you will see a foundation off to your right. Go in and explore this interesting combination of curved walls and right angles but watch out for poison ivy. Find the tall stone pillar to the right (NE). Under a pile of rocks two feet to the right of the pile, on the east side of the wall, you will find "Foundations."

Return to the meadow, where the road "T"s. This new road is actually an old railroad bed. You can take the trail to the left and explore the area but to return to your car you must take a right. You will notice a clearing in the bushes off to your left. What looks to be a pond is actually a portion of the Wood River. I have paddled this portion of the river many times and IMHO it is one of the most beautiful segments of the nicest river in the state.

You will pass through a small wooded section and the trail opens up into an even larger meadow. Stay to the right of the field and 3/4 of the way up on your right the trail will exit towards Canonchet Brook. Immediately upon leaving the meadow the trail will split. The left fork crosses over a sturdy wooden bridge and is your way home. As we crossed over Canonchet Brook on the day we planted the boxes we scared up a great blue heron with a fishy prize. The right fork will take you back towards the cemetary and is the correct path only if you are taking the alternate route.

After crossing the bridge you will go through a stone wall and immediately turn right.This field is marked private property but the path continues on a small strip of state land on this lower edge of the field by the stone wall. Keep the wall to your right as you head to the end of the field. You will see a break in the wall approximately 40 feet to the left of the corner of the wall. At this point the path returns to the woods. You will continue on the small path until you pass through two stone walls and come to a fork. The right fork will take you back down to the river. The left fork (315o) will return you to your waiting vehicle.

**Alternate Route: If the water crossings on the initial left fork are not safe then take the right fork. Follow the directions in the previous paragraph in the reverse direction. Once you cross the bridge take the road to the left. You will eventually come to the graveyard on your right. Continue on with the directions listed from the cemetary above.

Before setting off be sure to read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

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