Google Earth Image
Geology
Blowouts are saddle shaped or U shaped depressions in a
sand dune, caused by wind action on areas where the dune has been
destabilized. Destabilization of a dune occurs when the vegetation
that stabilizes the fore dune is lost, or when exceptionally strong
winds blow sand inland, covering stabilizing vegetation. Loss of
vegetation can be caused by wave action on fore dunes, decreases in
water tables, extended droughts, fire, clearing for construction,
or trampling by humans, animals, etc. Although they generally
remain small, blowouts can expand to kilometers in size.
Blowouts which originate on the crest or windward face of
parallel dunes can be rapidly formed by the wind into narrow
channels and, ultimately, into deeply carved parabolic dunes.
Parabolic shaped dunes are characterized by crests pointing upward
with trailing “arms” anchored by vegetation, and often,
spectacular peaks. You are on the north arm of a blowout directly
to the south. It is the combination of interwoven parallel dune
ridges and parabolic dunes, which characterizes the Lake Michigan
shoreline topography from Indiana, northward to Ludington,
Michigan.
Tread
Lightly
Please tread lightly during your visit. Dunes are fragile
ecosystems. As sturdy as they seem, dune plants are especially
sensitive to human disturbance. Walking on them may cause
destruction of surface vegetation and root die-off. This exposes
the dune to wind erosion, and damages the integrity and
preservation of a stable dune. Insofar as possible, stay on
established trails. Where you cannot, choose an approach that does
not lead you directly up the backside of the dune. If you cannot
avoid a steep uphill slope, walk diagonally across the slope rather
than directly uphill. If you are traveling with a group, take
separate routes. You will put less stress on vegetation and soils
this way. Please do not enter into the blowout area
itself.
Route
Selection.
From the steps at the below listed waypoint, follow the
ravine west till you find a suitable location to climb to the top
of the ridge to your left. Then follow the ridge crest trail west
to the cache location.
Sanctuary
Woods
This area is located in Sanctuary Woods Preserve. This
park occupies approximately 40 acres in the northwestern corner of
Laketown Township, in western Michigan. Parking is available off
66th St between W 32nd St and 147th Ave. It is open from 6:00 am to
dusk and features well-developed trails through a back dune forest,
great views of Lakes Macatawa and Michigan, bird-watching, abundant
wildlife, the track bed of the old Grand Rapids, Holland &
Chicago Railway, and several high quality caches!
Click for more
info |
Placed & maintained by a member of
Michigan Geocaching Organization!
Thanks to my Sister-in-Law for the ammo
can!
Congrats to Keenan Crew on FTF! Prize was a packet of
PathTags.
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