Burleson Farm & Orchard Traditional Cache
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(regular)
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Located near the Marl Lake hiking trails within the South Higgins Lake State Park. The best intended route is the hiking trails of Marl Lake, while geocaching other locations in the area, to trail checkpoint #7 continuing west on the 2-track access road, but this cache can also be easily reached from Markey Road & hiking a short ways in. It's not too difficult, but be aware of the old foundation ruins near the cache that are the remains of the farm. Please do not disturb or play in the ruins!
This is the location of the former Burleson family farm & orchard dating to prior to the 1890's. The Burleson farm was well established prior to the Sharp families arrival to the Higgins Lake area in 1898. The original property was mainly an orchard extending from near the cache location where the barns, farmhouse & various outbuilding formerly stood- to the corner of Markey Rd. and School Rd. where the ball field is today. There are still many apple trees standing from the orchard in the area & along Markey Rd. as well.
Interestingly, the property north and east of Burleson's farm at Marl Lake, now also part of the park, was formerly owned by the Statler family... known famously in Country Music as the Statler Bros. The Marl Lake access today is where the Statler family cottage & buildings once stood.
Emil Burleson was the last of his families line to operate the farm until the late 1940's, then the Myer family occupied the farm until ~1952 when the land was granted back to the State of Michigan and attached to the parkland of the South Higgins Lake State Park.
There are several foundations of the remains of the Burlseon farm in this area near the cache, so please be very careful of where you walk. Also, please do not disturb the foundation remains as they are very fragile- an easy way to get yourself hurt as well.
If you park at the Marl Lake access and hike the trail loops to the location, you will need a valid State Park pass on your vehicle. You can also park on Markey Rd. near the cache location, and it is a very short hike in. The cache is in a flat medium Sterite latching waterproof container & painted camouflage. Enclosed is a zip-locked bagged log book & pencil... and a travel bug as a prize for the first finder.
Additional Hints
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