Ozymandias

Date Placed: October 16, 2009
Letterbox: Traditional
Carver: The Wolf Family
Placer: GreenJello
Location: Little Egypt Geologic Site, Garfield, Utah
Status: Active

I met a sentinel from an antique land
Who said: Hidden treasure I protect
Here in the desert. Behind me, in the rock,
A cleft, black and grey rocks conceal.
Eyes, raise up to see
When standing to my right, 200 degrees
When standing to my left, 170 degrees
When in front of me you stand
At 190 degrees, vision is obscured by my presence.
Tall and regal, I am quietly guarding
In the midst of others, waiting.
Seek me out, from the sign
Head 240 degrees, and I will be found in
The lone sand and rocks that stretch far away.

Notes: This letterbox involves a short, easy hike and a small amount of rock scrambling. Above photos are essential to finding the box.

Moki Ruins

Date Placed: October 17, 2009
Letterbox: Traditional
Carver: GreenJello
Placer: GreenJello
Location: Aldrich, Wayne, Utah
Status: Active


When white settlers began moving into the area now known as Capitol Reef National Park, they took notice of old Fremont Native American ruins high in the cliffs above the valley floor. These were small, rocked-in structures in coves up the cliffside, sealed airtight with mud.

Expanding on what little they knew of the cliff-dwelling Anasazi to the south, settlers mistakenly assumed that these must also be cliff homes. But, to fit inside of these "homes", the Natives must have only been 2-3 feet tall! They nicknamed this imagined race of pint-sized Native Americans as "Moki" Indians.

Today, we know these structures to be food storage granaries of the Fremont people.There is an easily accessible and visible granary close to the east entrance of Capitol Reef National Park.

Directions: Driving along Highway 24, there is a pull-off exactly at milepost 90 on the south side of the road. After parking, head back out towards the main road. Up on the rock face to your left will be the granary.

In the area over to the left of where the granary is, there is a pile of boulders. Find the very large flat/layered grey rock to the right of the boulders. Under that rock, near the black boulder, hides the letterbox.

Please poke around with a stick first to dislodge any unwanted creatures from the area and rehide well. Enjoy your visit to Capitol Reef National Park!

The Wild Bunch

Date Placed: October 16, 2009
Letterbox: Traditional
Carver: GreenJello
Placer: GreenJello
Location: Hanksville Cemetery, Hanksville, Wayne, Utah
Status: Active

"Alright, men... the Wild Bunch was here in Hanksville yesterday stocking up on supplies at the General Store. Now I know y'all are familiar with these outlaws-- Butch Cassidy, News Carver, the Tall Texan, Kid Curry, and the Sundance Kid. They're wanted for robbery, and all other manner of unlawful acts. Those of you who wish to join the posse to search for these men in Robber's Roost, meet up at the cemetery at high noon, where you will be sworn in.

"Deputy, I will be needing a small box I have stashed at the cemetery. If you would retrieve it for me from under the woodpile by the middle gate on the north side, I would be most grateful.

"Let's go get 'em, boys!

Notes: There is a high probablity of box discovery. Please rehide VERY well, so that the box cannot be accidentally seen from inside or outside the fence.

Goblin Valley

Date Placed: October 16, 2009
Letterbox: Traditional
Carver: GreenJello
Placer: GreenJello
Location: Goblin Valley State Park, Emery, Utah
Duration:  Allow 1 hour round trip to where the box is hidden
Status: Active

Goblin Valley State Park is one of Utah's best kept secrets. When you step into the Valley, it is like taking a step into an alien world. The rock formations are some of the strangest you will ever encounter. Early explorers called it "Mushroom Valley" because of the typical shape of the rocks. It is a photographer's paradise, with both sunrise and sunset being excellent times of the day to get amazing photographs. Plan to spend a few hours wandering among the goblins, enjoying their beauty. For those who wish to spend longer in the area, there is a developed campground with water at Goblin Valley.

Directions: From I-70, head to State Route 24 and turn south. Travel on SR24 for 30 miles until you see a sign for Goblin Valley State Park; turn right. Follow this paved road for 6 miles and turn left when you see another sign pointing the way to Goblin Valley. After about another 6 miles, you will arrive at the entrance station to Goblin Valley State Park where you will pay a $7.00 entrance fee. If you'd like, stop at the Visitors Center for some information on the area. Follow the road up to the T intersection; turn left. Continue on the road until you reach the parking area.

From the pavilion with the picnic tables: go to the corner of the railing, closest to the parking area, that looks out over the valley. From there, off in the distance, sight the small greenish dome at 120 degrees. Hike down into the valley to the dome, heading around the left side of it. To the north of the dome, not far away, is the entrance to a cave. Hike on over, and climb in. Use your flashlight and stay to the left as you go deeper into the cave. At the very end, you will reach a soft, sandy floor, with a small opening in the top of the cave. The box is hidden in the left hand side wall of the sandy cave. Please carefully wipe off all ink from the stamp with a wet paper towel or baby wipe when you are finished stamping-- there are small details in the stamp that will easily fill in with dried ink. Rehide the box deeply so others do not stumble upon it accidentally as they explore the cave.

Notes: Some rock scrambling is REQUIRED to find this box! If you bring children with you, they will need help to safely traverse the entrance and inside the first two-thirds of the cave. For your safety, bring a flashlight and wear proper footwear (hiking shoes or boots highly recommended!). Please exercise caution and do not take unnecessary risks.

This is desert country! This hike can get extremely hot during the summer months, and very cold during the winter months. Bring adequate water, sunscreen, and wearing a hat is highly recommended in sunny conditions. Don't forget your camera!

Little Wild Horse

Date Placed: October 15, 2009
Letterbox: Traditional
Carver: GreenJello
Placer: GreenJello
Location: Little Wild Horse Canyon Trailhead, Emery, Utah
Duration:  Allow 2 hours round trip to see the best parts of Little Wild Horse
Status: Active

Little Wild Horse Canyon is an amazing slot canyon, arguably one of the best in the world. Located in the San Rafael Swell in south-central Utah, it provides fantastic views and an experience you won't ever forget. If you have the time, you can do the entire 8 mile loop and come back out Bell Canyon (another wonderful slot canyon).

Directions: From I-70, head to State Route 24 and turn south. Travel on SR24 for 30 miles until you see a sign for Goblin Valley State Park; turn right. Follow this paved road for 6 miles and turn left when you see another sign pointing the way to Goblin Valley. After 6 miles, just before you get to the entrance station to Goblin Valley State Park, there is a dirt road to your right with a sign directing you to Wild Horse Mesa and Muddy Creek. Turn right on this dirt road and follow it for 5.3 miles. This road is passable for passenger cars, just be on the lookout for a few large bumps and an occasional patch of sand. There is a parking area for Little Wild Horse and Bell Canyons on the right hand side of the road.

Find the visitor registration box. Standing in front of it, facing the road, notice the amazing tree at 115 degrees. Then, walk to where the parking lot and main road meet. To the right are many large boulders. Look for the largest boulder next to the road. Behind it are two large rocks-- one with red splotches, and one made of layers. What you seek is under the layered rock. Please rehide well with smaller rocks so that it cannot be seen from the road.

Notes: This is desert country! This hike can get extremely hot during the summer months, and very cold during the winter months. Be watchful of the weather-- slot canyons are deadly in flash flood conditions. Bring adequate water, sunscreen, and wearing a hat is highly recommended in sunny conditions. Don't forget your camera!