Fryman Canyon Overlook

Geographical Information

Box Information

Other Boxes Placed by the Gnosis 4-H Club

Accessibility Information

Specific Details
The first and last boxes are easily accessible to anyone expect those with wheeled transportation. The middle two in the series involve a hike down into the canyon with a round trip of under one mile. The trail, however, is deeply rutted in areas, is frequented by the occassional dog walker or mountain biker, and the return trip is almost entirely up hill. Reaching the second and third boxes also involves a small amount of boulder hopping. 

However, the second and third boxes are located near a wonderful tadpole pond, well worth taking any children down to see, just ensure ample adult assistance is available and take water for the return hike. 

Alternatively, take two cars, leaving one at the Coldwater Canyon parking area, and follow the trail after the third box as it snakes up the hill. It takes you to Coldwater Canyon Park after less than a mile and you can find those boxes before hopping in the waiting vehicle. 

Directions

Clues

 #1 - Overlook Box

Head up the stairs to the overlook platform and take a moment out of your treasure hunting to enjoy the view of the mid-San Fernando Valley laid out before you. 

Stand at the informational sign then turn around and look directly behind you - you will see a bench. Go and have a seat on the left end (when facing the bench.) Nice view, huh?

Look to your right and you'll see some rocks forming a sort of decorative edge to the plants near you. The first box is located under the rock nearest where you are sitting, under the back lower edge.

#2 - The Bees

If you aren't up to a minor hike uphill, skip ahead here to box four. Otherwise, head down the stairs and find the start of the trail behind the metal gate. You'll most likely notice the various items left to help dog walkers pick up after their canine pals right near the start. Dogs are supposed to be on leashes in this park; most ignore those rules. However, it has been our experience that the dogs, especially the larger ones, are very friendly and the owners highly attentive, often putting leashes on their pets as soon as they see someone else on the trail.

Start down the wide trail - don't worry, this is the only "sunny" patch you'll really walk through, and it is short. A few hundred yards down, you'll come to where the Dearing Trail turns back to your left and continues down, into shade. Straight goes into more sun - very hot, no shade. Take the shade trail down.

You will have a walk of about 1/3 of a mile down the side of the canyon, switchbacks keeping things from being boring. There are wonderful views through the trees towards the valley, plus a large amount of interesting wildlife living here.

As you near the bottom, you'll come to a creek that runs year round and cuts across the trail. Stop at the edge of the creek and look to your right. Notice the upside down car sticking out from under a long ago landslide? That poor guy is STILL waiting for his tow truck from AAA to show up :)

Look for the couple of large boulders which allow you to leave the trail and go up onto the car itself. When you are atop the car, you'll see a small trail following the creek upstream. Take a couple steps down the slope on that trail, then turn around and look at the back end of the buried car.

The box is hidden between the side metal of the car and the landslide, inside the door panel area if you can visualize that from what you can see :)

#3 - Hidden Oasis

After replacing box two, look back up that trail that goes upstream to spot a somewhat out of place looking palm tree. Make your way up to the tree and around to it's backside.

Hidden behind the palm is another tree with two trunks sticking out of the mountain at a 45-degree angle. The box is hidden at the base of the trunks in back, under some rocks and leaves.

Stop here, after replacing the box, to spend a few moments looking into the natural pond formed in this spot by the creek. This is the tadpole pool mentioned earlier.

After enjoying the tiny creatures, you now need to head back up the trail the way you came. You did remember to bring drinking water, right?

If you are using the two car method, or if you are very fit and want to hit the Coldwater Canyon series as well and then circle back, instead of returning the way you came, follow the main trail as it crosses the creek and heads up hill at a somewhat steep angle. It will take you to Coldwater Canyon after another mile or so - this trail can be VERY hot on sunny days as it has areas with no shade tress at all.

#4 - Which Way

Also located at Fryman Canyon Overlook is one of those jogging trails dotted with exercise equipment. The trail is very easy to see as it winds around the parking area. Find that trail and follow it until you come to the sign for -

Health-Beat 10
Sit-Ups
Push-Ups
Curl Twists

Stand on the trail so the sign is to your left and look right to see where large shrubs form a border between the park and the road. These plants have white flowers nearly year round, so they are easy to spot. 

Count up four of these shrubs - the box is under the fourth box.