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Leaf Motif Series – aka MLR, Otis and Black Swan Bait

This is a series of 6 letterboxes that are planted along the route from the Hamburg Reservoir, up the mountain using the

Blue Trail and then eastward on the AT to the Pinnacle. Of the ascents, it is probably the longest distance wise, being

about 4.5 miles one way. This can be combined with a return trip on the AT (Valley Rim Trail to Pulpit Rock) for a

boxtravaganza including elusive boxes by Otis’ Friends (no spoilers, they are public boxes) and others (those you will

need to research). We hope to get back to box up the Furnace Creek trails and the AT up to Pulpit Rock as we saw many

a place of possible boxes there.

A great place for trail maps is: http://www.harpweb.com/thepinnacle/hamburg.html 

GPS coordinates and directions are at this great site. However, email me to get a link to a map should this site ever

disappear. One can get to the Pinnacle by lunchtime if you start around 9 am.  

The Hike - Many thanks to Pink Panther for capturing some landmarks in the photos

Begin at the parking lot at the end of Reservoir Road (accessible from old 22 a few miles east of Hamburg or west of 

Lenhartsville). Pass through the metal gate and head north on the gravel roadway. Take note that the trail blazes are

light blue. Once you reach the open area at the Windsor Furnace sign, take the Blue trail going uphill at 345°, passing

through the gate. The A. T. will head toward Port Clinton if you would happen to take a left here. Pass a no parking signon the right. The trail will curve left and level off as you get to the reservoir. Stop.

Box 1 – Maple Leaf Red (luring Anne from Joisey to come visit?)

From the edge of the boulder outcrop on the left of the trail (just before the reservoir fence and dam sign), go 9 steps at

294° to a ‘seat rock.’ From the seat rock, go up the outcrop 13 steps at 240° to a stacked rock and then finally 10 steps

at 290° to a rock tent with SPOR inside. This is probably the most difficult box to retrieve, btw.

Continue northward on the Blue trail, keeping the reservoir (and fenced area) to your right. 1/3 of the way along the

reservoir, take the Blue trail up into the woods at 310° (basically a soft left). Up-Up-Up you go through the

Rhododendrons (hope the bloom for you). As you reach the top of this incline, the trail will noticeably level off and

curve left.

Box 2 – Sassafras in Autumn

On the left hand side, look for the fallen log perpendicular to the trail and to the tree that it has fallen up alongside (the

angles may not exactly measure 90°, but we did leave our protractors at home). Turn around and walk back in the

downhillward direction for 12 steps to come to an actual holey Sassafras tree on your right. Go 5 steps at 340° to an

uneven Y tree that is not a Sassafras tree. SPOR.

The curve continues leftward and so does your climb. The trail will

level off and soon you will come to this sign for Stephanie Spring on

the left hand side. You could head down the trail to Stephanie

Spring as it heads to the actual headwaters of Rattling Run. Wefollowed it in about ¼ mile or so  –  it is a neat trail, but is rather

narrow.

Box 3 – Ash

Look in the opposite side of the trail from the sign and back behind

you and you will see a drainage control swale carved by a

bulldozerette. Take this trail of sorts 55 steps at 125° to the larger of 

2 dirt mounds. From the larger mound, go 5 steps at 10° to an odd Y

tree. SPOR.

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Continue onward and you will come to a four way intersection. If you go straight,

you’ll end up in Eckville (though you may wish to make a short side trip, if you know

what I mean). If you go left, you will end up in a camping area for through hikers.

Turn right onto the Appalachian Trail. You may or may not pass a tree of the genus

Ceratotherium, which is entirely up to you to decide. This trail will be basically be flat,

but then become slightly downhill and curvy. Soon you will come to a wooded

clearing and this multitrunk tree (sans backpack and stuff) on the south side

indicating that you are close to the Gold Spring (best water these parts).

Box 4 – Buckeye

From the multitrunk tree, look northward and follow the trail at 20° for 55 steps to a

campfire ring. From the ring, go 30 steps at 50° to a distinctive tree and finally 18

steps along and beyond a fallen log to a decaying root ball. SPOR.

Return to the eastbound A. T. Pass the Heliport on the left (bug

spoiler alert) and the Furnace Creek trail going down to the

right. On a Riversolian note, this is a very beautiful trail which

may someday get boxed up. The A. T. will go slightly uphill and

then begin to level off. Keep a jaded eye open to the right hand

side of the trail for this interesting Rock n Root Combo.

Box 5 – Elm

From the Rock n Root, Roll on over 12 steps at 185°. SPOR on

Baby!

Continue Eastward on the A. T. Pass some vernal ponds and some boggy areas in the trail. You will also pass a markeron the tree that is a diamond with a 6 on it. We suspect it was at one time a Tree ID course. The woods road you have

been on will transition to an actual somewhat rocky trail (this is the AT in PA, after all) at a clearing.

Box 6 – American Basswood

Shortly after the woods road to trail transition, you will come to a V tree on the edge of the right hand side of the trail.

From this V tree, go 12 steps at 55° to another V tree with a smaller tree growing out of the V parts. Then from the psi

(look it up), go 13 steps at 85° to a small rock cave between 2 dissimilar trees. SPOR within.

You are now less than ¼ mile from the Pinnacle Lookout  – one of the best views in eastern PA. There are many unusual

things to explore here and it is a great place to have lunch and chat with other hikers. Contribute a Rock to the SPOR,

hide a box in the SPOR. If you want solitude, come during the cooler months as this is a popular spot on any nicer day.