"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
 And sorry I could not travel both
 And be one traveler, long I stood" 
                     - - Robert Frost 

Hider:   Tom Cooch 
Clues:   Easy 
Terrain: Moderate 
Hidden:  07/10/99

For the first 103 miles, the Long Trail and the Appalachian Trail overlap. Then, 0.5 miles north of Sherburne Pass, the AT veers eastward towards New Hampshire and its final terminus at Mt. Katahdin in Maine, while the LT continues northwards towards Canada. 

Note: The AT and LT were rerouted in September, 1999. They now cross Route 4 several tenths of a mile to the west of Sherburne Pass, and the current dividing point between them  is now another 0.5 miles to the north of the former junction. The Maine Junction Letterbox remains, however, in its original spot.

Sherburne Pass is on Rt 4 in the Town of Killington. These Letterboxes are reached by hiking either north or south on the Long Trail (LT). Click here for trail map.

The Long Trail was built between 1910 and 1930 by dedicated members of the Green Mountain Club, and today is maintained by volunteers of that Club. Their web site http://www.greenmountainclub.org offers much information about the trail and Club.  As yet, the GMC has no official policy on Letterboxes. 

Please use the Long Trail with prudence and respect. Know the terrain and the weather in which you hike, and prepare appropriately. Use these simple guidelines to help preserve a piece of Vermont's "footpath in the wilderness."  Leave no trace of your visit and ensure that the trail and the backcountry experience will be there for others to enjoy.  Please treat all trail lands with respect.  Portions of the Long Trail cross private lands.  A single inconsiderate hiker could cause a landowner to close the trail.  Park so as not to block access to roads or driveways. Carry out all trash. 
 

CLUES

Take the (former) Long Trail north from Sherburne Pass one-half mile to the junction. You must make an important decision here. Stand in front of the sign, four feet back from the post. Look down both paths as far as you can, then choose wisely. Note the compass bearing of the road taken, obtained by sighting on the farthest point along the trail you can see from your vantage point, and proceed that same number of paces down the trail. You will see a pair of yellow birches off the trail to your right, their roots intertwined. In the middle, under roots and rock, you will find the box. 
 

NOTES

A pace is taken to be the average distance an adult will advance by moving one foot forward - approximately three feet. 

All bearings are magnetic. 

Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

This letterbox is #7 placed by The Orient Express.