Newton, Massachusetts (Middlesex County)

DIRECTIONS: From Route 128: Take the exit for Route 30. Turn onto Route 30 East. Pass the brown boathouse (Newton Canoe and Kayak Community Boat Center) on the left, then make a U-turn, pass the boathouse now on your right, go over the river and turn right, following the boat rental parking and duck feeding signs.  Park in the lot by the river. (An alternative route: from Route 16, take Route 30 west.)

CLUE DIFFICULTY: Easy/Moderate
TERRAIN: Easy 
ESTABLISHED: July 2002

Caution: Some parts of the trail are right next to the river, which may present problems for small children and/or during the winter/spring months.

CLUE: From the parking lot, carefully walk along the side of the road.  In a couple of minutes, at the Tow Zone sign, there will be stone steps heading down to a trail along the water.  Follow this trail as it hugs the water’s edge.  When you arrive at an intersection where you can go straight or right, go right heading back towards the water.  Continue along.  At the next intersection, you could go straight uphill, left or right.  Again go right.  Now when you arrive at an Y, bear right.  Finally at the next intersection, you can go straight-ahead, left or right.  Yet again, go right.  Count about 65-70 steps, you will see fallen white (birch) branches on both sides of the trail and the remaining 3 ft. of the birch tree standing on the left. There is also a low, large rock to the left of the trail. Take a couple steps and turn left at the minor trail and head to the fallen tree.  Under rocks along the trunk, you will find the letterbox. After you have stamped in and enjoyed your view of the lakes of the Charles, you can walk another minute to find the Norumbega Tower on the left.  Check out its inscription to find out what Norumbega means and learn about the Norse history of the area.  Head back the way you came or very carefully along the road.  Visit with the ducks by the parking area or rent a canoe or kayak, if it’s the season.  The walk will take you 20-35 minutes to arrive at the letterbox. 
 

Letterboxing, like any outdoor sport, carries the risk of unforeseen hazards. Letterboxing North America supports a policy of not knowingly placing letterboxes in areas that will create undue risk to the letterbox hunter.  However, as conditions may  vary, it is the responsibility of the letterbox searcher to become thoroughly familiar with the conditions in the area to be searched, to adequately prepare for those conditions, and to conduct oneself safely and responsibly with respect to those conditions and with respect to his or her personal abilities and limitations.  "Letterboxing North America" and the individual letterbox sponsors assume no liability for events which may occur related directly or indirectly to one's searching for a letterbox. 

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