Dan Sharp Farm & Homestead Multi-Cache
tlsharpe1: It's been a nice long run for this cache. I'm removing all of my geocaches from this state park.
Dan Sharp Farm & Homestead
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache location is where a photo was taken ~1910 or so overlooking the valley of the original homestead farm of the Sharp family (hence Sharp's Corner).
In order that the the location of where the photo was taken NOT be an easy park-and-grab, and to alliveiate the parking congestion nearby during the summer months, the path & direction to the final location will be more discreet and not revealed until you get to the waypoint.
This is a multi-stage cache, and is intended to be at least a 30+ minute hike. Park at the Marl Lake Access site & proceed to the start of the trail at marker #8 (reverse of normal direction of the trail). You will need a valid park permit- a 'P' on your MI licence plate renewal to access Michigan state parks, a yearly windshield sticker permit, or a day pass issued from the park HQ.
Hiking along trail until you get near the waypoint location where you will find the coordinates of the final cache location- which is within feet of where this photo was taken over 100 years ago.
Once off of the trail, and on your way to the final location, you will begin walking up a nicely sloping ridge. The forest floor here is actually quite easy hiking & is without much brush or undergrowth. As you walk, you will encounter many leftover pine stumps from the lumberjack days, as well as several sizable ground hollows which are actually the remains of the stumps of the REALLY big white pines.
If you have ever seen historical photos of how N. Michigan appeared at the turn of the 20th century, this is a great example of what happened to the vast, towering white pine forests. This is a photo of the aftermath of the logging era, at a well known local area landmark. Sharp's Corner was a hub of local activity even before the store was established in the 1920's... the homestead farmhouse also served duty as the areas post office! The horses seen in this photo were actually being borrowed from the Burleson family farm at the time (just down the road & another cache location). If you look closely at the photo, you can see a dog through the fence along the road, and a small boy crouching next to it. For reference, the log farmhouse was located behind where the Sharp's Corner store is today (just to the south of where the propane fill area is).
From the vantage point of the final location and viewing the photo, it serves as a contrast to the 2nd growth forest surrounding the area now-days!
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