Kitch-iti-kipi --- The Big Spring EarthCache
Kitch-iti-kipi --- The Big Spring
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This Earthcache is locacted in Palms Book State Park, a Michigan State Park.
ALL VEHICLES ENTERING THE STATE PARK WILL REQUIRE A MICHIGAN STATE PARK MOTOR VEHICLE PERMIT.
EXCLUISIVE USE OF THE RAFT IS NOT GRANTED. ANY PERSON WANTED TO BOARD THE RAFT WILL BE ALLOWED TO DO SO.
RAFT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE OUT IN THE SPRING FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES BEFORE RETURNING TO DOCK.
Palms Book State Park is locacted near the City of Manistique in Schoolcraft County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
For info call: (906) 341-2355.
YOU WILL NEED TWO THINGS TO COMPLETE THIS EARTCAHE: A PH TEST KIT AND YOURSELF.
Kitch-iti-kipi ("KITCH-i-tee-KI-pee" with short "i"s) is Michigan's largest natural freshwater spring. The name means big cold water and is sometimes referred to as The Big Spring. Its original name was the "Mirror of Heaven" given to it by the early Indians.
Kitch-iti-kipi spring is one of Michigan's Upper Peninsula's major tourist attractions. It is northwest of Manistique about six miles (10 km) west on US-2 and twelve miles (19 km) north on M-149 in Thompson Township of Schoolcraft County at the northern terminus. It is located within the Palms Book State Park.
FEATURES
Kitch-iti-kipi is an oval pool measuring 300 feet by 175 feet (90 m × 53 m) and is about 40 feet (12 m) deep with an emerald bottom. This pool started our as a sinkhole. From the fissures in underlying limestone flows 10,000 gallons per minute (630 litres per second) of spring water throughout the year at a constant temperature.
Hydraulic pressure forces the groundwater to the surface. It is not known exactly where this enormous volume of water comes from. The spring's pool bowl is similar to other sinkholes except it is connected with an aquifer (underground stream) to Indian Lake. The small spring pool was created when the top layer of limestone dissolved away and collapsed into the cave already created by the underground water.
Ancient tree trunks with mineral encrusted branches can be seen, as well as fish that appear to be suspended in the crystal clear waters of the spring. The fish are lake trout, brown trout and brook trout. On occasion you will spot yellow perch and other species that move between Big Spring and Indian Lake.
A kaleidoscope effect of ever-changing shapes and forms are caused by the clouds of sand kept in constant motion by the gushing waters that are created by the fast moving waters of Big Spring.
RAFT
A self-operated observation raft guides park visitors to vantage points overlooking the underwater features. This raft is on a cable that is pulled across the spring pool by the park visitors. There are viewing windows where the visitors can see the fast flowing crystal clear spring. One can look over the side of the raft for viewing as well.
The requirements to log this Earthcache must be completed as follows. Complete these tasks by answering questions via E-mail to me. DO NOT POST WITH YOUR LOG!!!!
1) What time of the year are you looking at the pond?
2) Based on the time of the year of your visit, would you expect the pond to be frozen or not? Was the pond frozen?
3) Describe the water and take a ph reading.
Also a nice picture of you or your team would be great!
1) A photo of you or your team on the raft anywhere on the pond would be nice. You may post this picture with your log.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)