The Wandering Dune EarthCache

This cache has been archived.

GeoawareUSA7: Hello, I regret to inform you that your EarthCache must be archived. The land manager has indicated that the area is closed and unsafe for visitors. They asked that the EarthCache be removed to help prevent anyone from going into a restricted area. I apologize for the inconvenience. If you have any questions, you may contact me through my profile.

Sincerely,
GeoawareUSA7

More
Hidden : 2/10/2009
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

Mount Baldy is accessible from U.S. Route 12 (also known as Dunes Highway) 2 miles west of Michigan City. Parking and entrance are free. Hike up the dune and enjoy the beautiful view. Open daily 7 a.m. til dusk. Restrooms open year round. Enjoy!! :D

Mt Baldy is 'starving dune'. Beach erosion is taking away more sand than the waves are bringing in due to the breakwall that was built for the Michigan City Harbor. Terrain can be a 1 or a 5, depends on if you decide to hike it or stand at the bottom and look up? Please be respectful of this place of great beauty and practice C.I.T.O. whenever possible.

**It is critical that you stay on marked trails only and do not damage the surrounding vegetation as this is what helps to stabilize the dune!

“When I was young I wanted to save the world, In my middle years

I would have been content To save my country.

Now I just want to Save the Dunes.”

~Senator Paul H. Douglas.

Geologically young the In. Dunes are around 3,000 to 4,000 years old. Melting 0f the Continental glacier provided the major source for water,sand and other sediments required for dune formation. Glacial drift (a mix of boulders, cobbles, sand, and clay that are deposited after glacier melts). *

Four critical factors for sand dune creation are:

*Source of abundant sand

*Relatively consistent wind

*Water level fluctuation

~dune growth accelerated by high water levels.

*Vegetation to foster sand accumulation

~traps and and stabilizes (anchors) the sand.

In order to claim your find, post a photo of yourself at the site (top or bottom) and email me the answers to the FOUR (?)'s below. The 1st 3 questions can be found on the signs at Mt Baldy and online, but the fourth will require a bit more effort (unless there is a park ranger nearby).

1) Mount Baldy is a (?) foot tall sand dune. It is one of the tallest sand dunes on the southern shore of Lake Michigan and is known as wandering dune.
2) The dune moves inland at an average of (?) feet per year.
3) Beach sand moves when the prevailing northwest wind exceeds (?) m.p.h.
4) How much sand is shifted inland for each person that climbs the southern face of Mt Baldy?

Enjoy your visit and thanks to the NPS for allowing me to place this cache :)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Cnex fvtaf naq sevraqyl cnex enatref fubhyq cebivqr nyy gur nafjref lbh frrx!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

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