Mercer Monarch Letterbox

Monarch Butterfly

Placed By: Silver Eagle
Date: 06/08/03, Replaced/Relocated (08/23/03), Replaced Stamp (12/30/06)
Nearest Town: Spring, TX
County: Harris
Terrain Difficulty: Easy (flat, 400 yards RT)
Status: retired (04/25/09)

With a wingspan up to 4 3/4 inches, Monarch butterflies are among the largest and most beautiful butterflies in North America and can be found anywhere milkweed plants grow. The Monarch is also one of the longest migrating creatures on Earth. Beginning in August, millions of eastern monarchs (those living from the Rockies to the Atlantic Ocean) migrate from their summer feeding and mating grounds to Mexico, where they spend the winter before returning to the United States in late February and March to begin the cycle of life again. Many monarchs fly through Texas on their way to and from Mexico and a good place to see them is at Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. It has over 250 acres of East Texas piney woods showcasing the region's largest collection of native and cultivated plants, along with this letterbox. Mercer is open seven days a week and is free.

Directions:

Mercer is 22 miles north of downtown Houston near Bush Intercontinental Airport. From I45 or the Hardy Toll Road north, exit FM 1960 and turn east, then at Aldine Westfield Road, turn left (north). At the second traffic light (1.25 miles), turn right and park on the left for the Visitor Center and Botanical Gardens.

Clues:

Go to the visitor center to get a map and then walk around to enjoy seeing the flowers and butterflies. When you are ready to look for the letterbox, walk to the North Garden trailhead behind the Daylily garden. There will be a wood trail sign showing the trails in that part of the park. Walk on the North Garden trail for about 200 yards to a wood bridge just before you reach the Waterlily garden. From the bench in the middle of the bridge on the right side, look to the right (southwest) about 20 feet away for a dead, hollow tree about 10 feet tall. Go to it and look within a hollow crevice on the far side about 3 feet off the ground. The box is hidden behind dead bark and branches. Please re-cover well.

NOTE: Always take adequate precautions (such as prodding with a stick and/or wearing gloves) before reaching into dark crevasses and holes in the wild. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

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Last updated on 04/25/2009

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