Big Tree Letterbox

Texas Birding Trail Series

Big Tree

Placed By: Silver Eagle
Date: 01/03/03
Nearest Town: Rockport, Tx.
County: Aransas
Terrain Difficulty: Easy (flat, 100 yards RT)
Status: retired (11/25/05)

The Big Tree in Goose Island State Park is part of the Aransas Loop described on the Central Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail map. It is one of the largest Coastal Live Oaks in the nation and is estimated to be over 1000 years old. Birders know this park as a great place to view migrant landbirds and waterfowl. During a spring cold front the live oaks in the park may be congested with "fallouts" (migrant birds "falling out" of the sky after crossing the Gulf Of Mexico). The entrance fee is $2.00 for adults and is open 7 days a week year-round, but a visit to the Big Tree is free. Also nearby is Wanda's Rest In Peace #3 Letterbox and Baby Bear's Texas Bonefish Letterbox.

Directions:

From Houston take Hwy. 59 Southwest to Victoria. Turn left (south) on Hwy. 77 to FM 239. Turn left (east) on FM 239 to Tivoli. Turn right (south) on Hwy. 35 and go about 30 miles to Park Road 13, then turn left (east) and go 1 mile to Goose Island State Park. The park entrance is to the right, but you will go left for another mile to the Big Tree parking area on the left. The park is located 10 miles northeast of Rockport.

Clues:

Walk to the Big Tree and read its amazing statistics on the sign. When you are ready to look for the box, walk counter-clockwise from the sign for about 40 paces. To the east at 70 degrees you will see a path into the woods. Walk down it for 30 paces, then turn right and walk south at 170 degrees for 20 paces. There will be a barbed-wire fence on your left and a tree with a Y trunk on your right, so walk west at 260 degrees for 5 paces to the tree. Look on the back side of the trunk under some dead branches and leaves for the box. Please re-cover when done.

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 11/25/2005

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