The quest used to begin at a small parking lot nearly a mile from
the pines. GPS backup gives N 39 48.244 W 83 52.939 for this
trailhead, but now you need to walk a bit to get to the beginning:
Because of security concerns, I am told, the parking lot
previously used is now closed. This is not much of a problem and
will allow one to see even more of this pretty park.
New starting point is in Yellow Springs, OH. About a quarter
mile due south of an improbable cabose, is a parking lot for a park
named after Helen. Coordinates for the parking lot are N 39 deg 48
min 3 sec and W 83 deg 53 min 7 sec. From this parking lot, take
the stone steps down the hill, cross a bridge across the creek and
turn left. Winding along a half mile of path that ascends up the
other side of the ravine, you will pass a waterfall and also the
source of the spring for which Yellow Springs was named. Continue
on the path and you will finally reach the original parking lot.
From there, follow the directions as originally printed. Here they
are:
Did I mention that you will need a compass for this one? Take
the trail to the east, down a hill and over the bridge at the
falls. This November afternoon, the falls could be heard for more
than 100 yards, but in the summer they make little more than a cool
mist in the rocky gorge.
From the far end of the bridge take the trail that heads out at
140 degrees for 44 paces. (One pace = two steps = about 5 feet.)
You will reach a gravel double track and a sign telling you not to
go further. Never fear, you will violate no rule.
Turn to 180 degrees and proceed to a Y in the road with the
right track blocked by an orange marker. Continue at 200 degrees
past the orange marker. Stay on the wide path for a pleasant
15-minute walk through the woods. Look at the birds and the trees.
I saw a beautiful Red Tailed Hawk.
You will come to another Y in the trail, where this trail and
another merge into a single track. Head 100 degrees up the trail
and you will begin to see the pines in the forest ahead. Smell the
pine aroma.
You enter the glen from a path that is guarded by a 9 trunked
tree. From this tree it is 48 paces to the base of a large fallen
pine on the path and at the high point of the path in the pines. If
you wish to check, the coordinates here are the same as listed at
the top of the page. But you are not yet done.
Smell the air. Enjoy the quiet and the solitude. I first saw
this spot from cross-country skis years ago and was mesmerized from
the start.
Take a heading from the base of the tree toward where the wind
was coming from when I hid the box. Step off 39 paces and you will
arrive at a smaller fallen tree with the upturned roots to your
right. Turn 160 degrees from the upturned roots, and 10 paces away
behind yet another fallen tree you will find the treasure you
seek.
If you wish to take a different and more challenging route back,
keep to the left at the last Y and follow the path to the creek.
Keep the creek on your left until you return to the bridge. There
are some nice fishing holes down here to explore. You might want a
topo of the area before trying this last, or use a GPS to keep you
on track back to the car.