(Higganum, Connecticut)
Two Letterboxes placed by Little La and Mr. Bonsai on July 21, 2002 in Cockaponset State Forest along a three and a half mile loop. I've scanned some maps of the Forest, which can be accessed below.
Difficulty: Moderate, with lots of twists and turns through Mountain Laurel groves.
Getting There: Take exit 8 off Route 9. At the end of the ramp head southwest on Beaver Meadow Road. About a quarter of a mile on the left you'll see a small turn-out (only room for two cars) with a State Forest map posted. Park here.
If you look at the map (better yet, print it out before you go!) you'll see the Blue and Blue/Red trail loop. You'll also notice that the Blue trail continues south where it connects up with the Reservoir Walk Letterboxes. Done together, the Black Turkey and Reservoir Walk letterboxes make a very satisfying all day hike. Make sure to bring a map for this longer walk because the trail markings can be confusing. Definitely bring a tasty lunch and snacks (and a bathing suit in the summer). Also notice that the Blue and Blue/Red trails are marked for foot traffic only (sorry bikers).
From the turn-out head into the woods. Almost immediately you'll see the beginning of the Blue trail to your left. Follow the Blue, which will briefly join with the Orange trail. The Orange will split to the left, over a little bridge, but the Blue continues straight. You'll come to a second stream crossing, where the Blue turns to the left over the brook. You'll notice an enormous decaying stump to your left (the rest of the tree is laying across the stream). From this landmark take five steps along 130 degrees (away from the stream) to a partially buried rock. Here lies the Blackbird Letterbox, placed in honor of the poem "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird" by Wallace Stevens. Please make sure to fully cover the box when done stamping in.
Continue on the Blue. The path will intersect a dirt road (Jericho Rd.), which you will cross. Stay to the left of the clearing, where you will see Blue markings again. The trail meets up with a larger dirt path. Stay on the Blue as it crosses the unmarked path, then comes back out to the road. Turn left down the road for a very short while and pick up the Blue again on your right. A little ways into the woods there will be a fork in the path; stay to the left and follow the Blue trail onwards. Eventually you will come to a valley with a stream bed (dry in the summer). There are twelve or so man-made steps of rock going down to the stream. Rocks have been piled up to form two dams or stream crossings. Before you follow the steps down into the valley take a few steps off the path along the rocky ledge. At the top of the ledge you'll notice a large tree of unknown lineage (can anyone identify this tree for me?) that is leaning in toward the valley. From this tree take five steps away from the ledge to a fallen rotted log. The Turkey Town Letterbox has made a cozy home for itself here. Make sure to close the "door" tightly when leaving Turkey Town.
Keep with the Blue through some interesting woods, valleys, and ledges. The bleached white remains of a grove of dead trees reminds me of ancient Roman ruins. Eventually the Blue trail will intersect with the Blue with a Red dot trail. If you are planning on taking the full day hike out to the Reservoir letterboxes then you would continue on the Blue trail at this point. For everyone else, follow the Blue/Red trail to your right (if you come back out to the dirt road you've gone too far). The path will pass under some rock ledges, then continues north through the forest. The trail will intersect with the Orange, where you will take a left and walk a short way back to your car.