Letters to Almaden Quicksilver Letterbox Hybrid
Letters to Almaden Quicksilver
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Welcome to Letters to Almaden Quicksilver! In the tradition of letterboxing, the cache is not at the posted coordinates. You will need to follow a series of clues to get from the posted coordinates to the letterbox/cache. The total distance is less than 250 feet from posted coordinates to cache, and the clues are intended to be straightforward and easy to follow.
When you find it, use one of the stamps inside to stamp your personal logbook (if you have one) and stamp and/or sign the letterbox logbook. Please leave these stamps in the cache. If you don't have a stamp and would like one, I've left some in a clearly marked swag bag. Feel free to take one of these. If you'd like, write a note telling what you love about AQ or sharing an experience you've had here. I've started it off with a story of my own. I hope you enjoy it!
Now, how to get here! The easy part is that it's less than a quarter mile from the Mockingbird Hill parking lot. The less easy part is that it's off-trail and up a hill. But the hill isn't very steep (for the most part) and there are plenty of good game trails that will take you straight there.
1) Take the Virl O. Norton trail from the Mockingbird Hill parking lot to the first waypoint. There are a lot of different ways up the hill, but starting here is the easiest path. Pick a game trail and head up to the posted coordinates.
2) At the posted coordinates, you're standing near some big, mossy rocks. Catch your breath and enjoy the view! The hard part is over.
3) Look to the SSW. (This is the direction you've been traveling if you came from the first waypoint.) About 75 feet away you'll see a large, low rocky hill. Head to the top of this hill.
4) Continue walking in the same direction. Pass the oak tree on the right and the stand of coyote brush on the left.
5) You'll soon see a large branch in front of you that's low enough that you'll need to duck under it or go around it. As soon as you've passed the branch, continue in the same direction and count 20 steps (give or take a few).
6) Now turn to your left and look for a tree with 5 trunks (2 big and 3 small). You will find it there!
I've posted a few spoiler pictures if you get stuck. :) Please watch for the usual hazards and respect the posted park hours.
Congrats to Cissy PSP, Geokashers, and kittyshrink for the FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Sebz gur cbfgrq pbbeqvangrf, whfg xrrc jnyxvat nobhg 220 srrg. Vg'f iveghnyyl n fgenvtug yvar sebz gur svefg jnlcbvag ba gur genvy gb gur pnpur. Ghea yrsg jura lbh frr gur gerr jvgu 5 gehaxf.