Please Don't Erase the Traces of America's Past.
The Rock Camp Letterbox was sensitively placed so as not to interfere with native wildlife and with respect to the historical interest of this site.  Archeological and historic sites contains clues to America's past. If disturbed a part of our heritage may be lost forever. Sites and artifacts on public land are protected by Federal law. If you discover such remains please leave them undisturbed.  Report your discoveries to Forest Service personnel. Please respect the land upon which this letterbox is hidden.  Do not disturb any historical landmark or private property.  Do not break sod, remove native vegetation, disturb natural rock formations, or interfere with animals or their habitats.  Leave the site better than you find it; you are encouraged to remove any litter left behind by people who care less for the land than you.

A National Forest "Adventure Pass" is required to park at this site. You may purchase the $ 5.00, good for one day, Adventure Pass at the Lake Arrowhead Chamber of Commerce in the Lake Arrowhead Village, or from the Cedar Glen Trading Post or by mail from the National Forest Service  .  The National Forest Service does provide a "free" day when an Adventure Pass is not required, presently this is on the last Saturday of each month.  The "free days" for 2005 are Jan 29, Feb 26, Mar 26, Apr 30, May 28, Jun 25, Jul 30, Aug 27, Sep 24, Oct 29, Nov 26 and Dec 31.

The Rock Camp Station is a 20 minute drive from the Lake Arrowhead Village. Exit the Village to the right onto Highway 189. Hwy 189 winds along the southern shore of the lake to Blue Jay.  At Blue Jay turn right at Highway 173 aka North Bay Road, you will see MacDonald's across the way.  Continue up Hwy 173 for about 2 miles to Peninsula.  Turn left at Peninsula and proceed up the hill to Grass Valley Road, just past Rhine.  Turn right on Grass Valley Road.  Continue on Grass Valley Road through Deer Lodge Park until it ends at Hwy 173.  Turn left at Hwy 173, away from Lake Arrowhead, and continue for about one mile to the Rock Camp Station which is on the right. The Rock Camp trail begins immediately east of Rock Camp Station.

The Rock Camp trail leads to bedrock mortars used by the Serrano Indians to grind acorns and to make flour. The Serrano came to this area each spring because of the plentiful acorn crop and the mild weather. Bedrock mortars were formed by the grinding action of mono and pestle stones. It was much easier to use these large bedrock slabs rather than carry a mortar stone with them, but they also did that in areas where such stones did not exist. In 1938 a stone monument was placed on the site by the Lake Arrowhead Woman's Club to designate the historical importance of this encampment to the Serrano Indians.

Follow the trail for about about 5 minutes when you will see the Lake Arrowhead Women's Club monument on the left.  Directly behind and to the right of the monument you will see the first stone slabs of bedrock mortars. Directly North and about 16 paces up the hill there is a second rock formation of bedrock mortars.  Adjoining the north side of this second formation of mortars there are three large stone boulders, a nice place to sit, enjoy the view and stamp away.  The letter box is under the left hand side of the center boulder, ( the west side of the boulder).

You must read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer before attempting to locate any letterboxes.

This letterbox may not be accessible during winter months due to snow, you must check local weather and road conditions before proceeding up the hill:
For local road conditions click here: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/
For local weather conditions click here: http://www.mountain-news.com/news/weather/

• Difficulty:  None,
• Compass Needed? No
• Wheelchair Accessible?  No, trail requires minimum hiking ability.