Clues updated 9/18/05 to reflect changing topography



Mother

Placed May 24, 2004
Closest city: Ashland

Difficulty: Relatively easy.
Terrain: Some hills and slightly rough terrain - not accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, etc.
Distance: Less than 1 mile.
Time: 45 minutes or less

Please bring your own ink pad for this box

Ashland, PA, lies in the anthracite coal region of eastern Pennsylvania. Generations of coal miners have lived in this small town since the 19th century. While searching for this box, take a tour through the Pioneer Tunnel (in season) and see how coal miners used to work and live. Don't forget to take a ride on the Lokie! And just a few miles away from Ashland lies Centralia - the town that's been on fire for over 30 years!

Before finding this box, you must first stop at the Mother's Memorial at the base of Centre Street. Read the bronze plaque at the base of the memorial and note the date it was placed there. Then climb the stairs to the statue, and note the date that the statue was placed. Then you can start on your way.

To get to Mother, park in the parking lot for the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train. Once in the parking lot, orient yourself so that your back is to the cemetery and the parking lot rises above you. You'll pass an old original coal train. See the different colors? Orange was the motor, black was the coal cars, red carried dynamite, and yellow held wood timber. Walk uphill until you see the yellow gate blocking off a path on your right. Your journey begins here.

Go past the gate onto the path. Don't let the cemetery spook you - it's harmless...or is it? Continue on the path for less than a quarter mile and go around Dead Man's Curve and up the hill. Dead Man's Curve isn't labeled, but if you listen carefully you can hear the sounds of teenage boys of yore speeding down the hill on their bikes and skidding off the path.

Once on top of the hill, bear right. Walk along the path, and don't jump in that large puddle or Mother will scold you! Past the puddle, you'll see a skinny termite-eaten tree, about ten feet tall, on your right. From here, take (date on the bronze plaque - date on the statue) paces. Then sight 170*. Look past the three-trunked tree with slingshot branches to the tree behind it. Mother is waiting for you at the base of this tree.

I left some coal at the base of the tree on the other side of the box. Please take one and leave some for the next person.

To return to the beginning of the path, just backtrack the way you came.

Please note for both of these boxes: Hunting may be going on, so wear bright colors. Also, bring lots of bug spray, as the mosquitos are vicious!

Black Diamond

Placed December 25, 2003
Closest city: Ashland

8/4/07: Logbook finally replaced. Please note that the clues may need some interpretation, as the ground cover and incidence of fallen trees often changes due to the weather. This one might best be left for winter...

Difficulty: Relatively easy.
Terrain: Some hills and slightly rough terrain - not accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, etc.
Distance: Less than 1 mile.
Time: 45 minutes or less

Please bring your own inkpad for this box

Ashland, PA, lies in the anthracite coal region of eastern Pennsylvania. Generations of coal miners have lived in this small town since the 19th century. While searching for this box, take a tour through the Pioneer Tunnel (in season) and see how coal miners used to work and live. Don't forget to take a ride on the Lokie! And just a few miles away from Ashland lies Centralia - the town that's been on fire for over 30 years!

To get to the Black Diamond, park in the parking lot for the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train. Once in the parking lot, orient yourself so that your back is to the cemetery and the parking lot rises above you. You'll pass an old original coal train. See the different colors? Orange was the motor, black was the coal cars, red carried dynamite, and yellow held wood timber. Walk uphill until you see the yellow gate blocking off a path on your right. Your journey begins here.

Go past the gate onto the path. Careful, there may be hidden ice or slippery leaves! Don't let the cemetery spook you either - it's harmless...or is it? Continue on the path for less than a quarter mile and go around Dead Man's Curve and up the hill. Dead Man's Curve isn't labeled, but if you listen carefully you can hear the sounds of teenage boys of yore speeding down the hill on their bikes and skidding off the path.

Once on top of the hill, bear left onto the path less travelled by. Walk past the dirt mounds. Then walk a little ways until you step over a dead tree in the path, and see a dead tree cut in half, about 7 feet tall, on your right side. From there, walk 82 paces over the green carpet, then with the ridge on your right, turn yourself left 90 degrees. See the dead tree that has fallen down the hill towards you, blocking your path? Walk up the hill to the base of this tree. Notice the rotted tree stump next to it - you'll find your Black Diamond at the base of the stump

For a nice view (probably winter time only), climb the few feet more up to the ridge and take a look around.

To return to the beginning of the path, just backtrack the way you came.

In addition to the usual precautions, please use care while walking as the paths can be extremely slippery if the leaves are wet.