Welcome to the Torch Lake Sandbar
The Torch Lake sandbar is an incredibly popular place to hang out in the summer time. Depending on when you go, you will probably see many boats moored over the sandbar and people hanging out in the water.
How did the sandbar get here?
Thousands of years ago, glaciers were present over what is now modern-day Michigan. As the glaciers advanced and receded they carved out some areas and left deposits of sand, gravel, boulders and clay in others areas.
When the glaciers began to melt and recede for good, rivers formed and the glacial melt water flowed through these rivers into what is now known as Lake Michigan. During this time Torch Lake was not a lake, but was actually a deep, fjord-like bay of ancient Lake Michigan. The water flowed from the old Rapid River through Lake Skegemog and Torch Lake into ancient Lake Michigan.
As this water flowed north it pushed large volumes of sand. Some of this sand was deposited and built up enough to separate Lake Skegemog from Torch Lake, creating two lakes. Torch Lake was also cut off from ancient Lake Michigan by some of this sand building up as a sandbar on the northwest end of Torch Lake. Yet more of this sand was deposited on the south end of Torch Lake and created the Torch Lake sandbar.
Since Torch Lake had been cut off from ancient Lake Michigan the water flow was reversed, with the water now flowing south through Torch River, Lake Skegemog, Elk Lake, Elk River and into Lake Michigan.
In the late 1800’s, logging was very prevalent in northern Michigan. Torch River was dredged so tugs could haul millions of logs to Elk Rapids and steamers could take goods and tourists to Alden and other villages around Torch Lake. The sand was deposited at the west end of the sandbar.
In order to log this Earthcache...
Please read the following questions and send me your answers.
- At the posted coordinates what is the depth of the sandbar? You will either have to use your body or a paddle to figure this out.
- How far out into the water do you estimate the sandbar goes?
- Is the sandbar natural or manmade?
- If there was human intervention, how big do you think the sandbar would be if there was no human intervention?
- Post a picture of you or a signature item at the posted coordinates.
Getting There
You may use a kayak or a boat to get out to the sandbar and the posted coordinates. A boat launch is available nearby and you can find the coordinates under additional waypoints. You can also walk on the sandbar to the posted coordinates. Under additional waypoints below is a public access beach and parking. Note: it is a decent walk to the posted coordinates through water.
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