Last updated Mar 09, 2011

Hiking Club questions?  Please contact Cindy Squires.

Last updated Aug 20, 2010
What is Letterboxing?

 Here's the basic idea: Someone hides a waterproof box somewhere (in a beautiful, interesting, or remote location) containing at least a logbook and a carved rubber stamp, and perhaps other goodies. The hider then usually writes directions to the box (called "clues" or "the map"), which can be straightforward, cryptic, or any degree in between. Often the clues involve map coordinates or compass bearings from landmarks, but they don't have to. Selecting a location and writing the clues is one aspect of the art.

Once the clues are written, hunters in possession of the clues attempt to find the box. In addition to the clue and any maps or tools needed to solve it, the hunter should carry at least a pencil, his personal rubber stamp, an inkpad, and his personal logbook. When the hunter successfully deciphers the clue and finds the box, he stamps the logbook in the box with his personal stamp, and stamps his personal logbook with the box's stamp. The box's logbook keeps a record of all its visitors, and the hunters keep a record of all the boxes they have found, in their personal logbooks.

Source::  www.letterboxing.org

Highlighted Hike

Last updated Sep 12, 2011

Pack 160 suggests several highlighted hikes during the year. If your Den chooses to go on the highlighted hike during that hike's designated timeframe, the boys who hike will not only get credit towards Hiking Club miles, but will also receive a hike-specific fun patch from the Pack for their brag vests or scrapbooks.

Spring 2012 Hike

Last updated Feb 18, 2012
Pack 160 Hiking Club

The Spring (February and March) hike is Riverbend Park. This is a great hike because there is a cool nature center to explore, you can fish, rent a boat, and have a picnic at the same site. The trails connect to the Great Falls trails along the river or they explore the uplands and a few hidden ponds. Wear hiking shoes that can get dirty and bring an extra pair for the drive home. The park also offers a corn hole game and scavenger hunt -- stop by the visitor center or check out the website for more information.

Riverbend Park

8700 Potomac Hills Street,

Great Falls, VA 22066

703-759-9018

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/trails.htm


Riverbend Park has over 10 miles of hiking trails. There are also trails for horses and mountain bikes as well. For those seeking longer hikes Riverbend's trails link with regional parkland trails and National Park Service trails. Riverbend Park offers several loop trails that highlight the natural beauty of the park and its history. Stop by the visitor center to plan your trail adventure. While you're there, pick up a trail map and check with staff to help you plan a hike.

  • Bootlegger Trail

(2 miles) 4-mile loop from visitor center. This upland trail follows the western boundary and takes you back to the days of moonshine and rural life. The trail winds through forest, meadow and hollows.

  • Follow the Hollows Trail

(1 mile) 2-mile loop from visitor center. This scenic trail is great for a short family hike. It starts at the Potomac Heritage Trail and winds through upland forest and hollows before return­ing to the river.

  • Potomac Heritage Trail

(2 1/2 miles) This nationally recognized scenic trail follows the Potomac River. Look for islands, changing features and wildlife on the water.

  • Madison’s Escape Trail

(1 mile) President Madison in 1814 took Conn’s Ferry from what is now the park to Mary­land after British soldiers invaded Washington D.C. during the War of 1812.


Riverbend's visitor center overlooks the scenic Potomac River and the furnished outdoor deck is an ideal place to rest or have a snack after a hike.

The snack bar and gift shop at the visitor center offer drinks, ice cream, snacks and other refreshments. The gift shop has nature books, nature items, maps, fishing tackle and other souvenirs.

An Information Desk, self-guided activities for children, live animal displays and natural and cultural exhibits are also at the center. Restrooms are located on the deck at the visitor center.

The visitor center is open 9am-5pm weekdays and weekends, closed on Tuesdays, March-December. Please call ahead for holiday hours.

For questions about this hike or to report your den’s miles, please get in touch with Cindy Squires, the new Pack 160 hiking chair, at HikePack160@me.com

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