UPDATE: 3/1/2024:
2019 was the 100th Anniversary of Michigan State Parks and we're still celebrating!. Join the Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Geocaching.com for the first official GeoTour in Michigan.
This tour was originally scheduled to run for three years, kicking off on Friday of Memorial Weekend in 2019 and continue through May 31, 2022. The success of this awesome tour has not gone unnoticed. On February 2, 2022, The DNR announced the extension of the GeoTour through September 24, 2024! Join us in making a final push to complete this very popular and very successful GeoTour before the sun sets on it.
Each geocache is in one of Michigan's state parks. The geocaches are arranged by MiGO Region, with twenty-five geocaches per region. The Ticket to Celebrate 100 is available for download from the DNR's Geocaching page. It explains how to qualify for prizes in each of the four regions and for the GeoTour as a whole.
Day use areas of state parks are open from 8AM to 10PM. Geocaching is limited to those hours. Entry into Michigan's State Parks requires a Michigan Recreation Passport. See the Resources section below for more information.
The sun will set on the MSPCGT at midnight Tuesday, September 24, 2024. The MSPCGT will go off the air as a GeoTour and the caches will disappear from the map. There is a lot of construction going on in our State Parks in 2024. Some of the GeoTour caches will have to be pulled earlier. The remaining geocaches in the tour will be archived October 1, 2024. Players will have until December 31, 2024 to claim any prize they have earned. Hiders will be contacted to request removal of the geocaches they hid unless they have made arrangements with park managers and have their own permit in place to keep the geocache in play, with a new GC Code.
Due to park enhancements to update water distribution, toilet and shower buildings and the sanitation station, the park’s modern campground will close Sept. 4, 2024 through June 15, 2025. This may impact the sunset date for this GeoTour cache.
Now for some good news: MiGO and the DNR are busy working on a new project that will kick off in the Spring of 2025, code named MSPGT 2.0. Are you interested in helping? Keep your MiGO Membership up to date and stay tuned to the website.
Cache:
This cache was hidden as part of the Michigan State Parks Centennial GeoTour, presented by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Geocaching Organization. Record the codeword printed on the log book and on a label inside the cache container to the appropriate box on the Ticket to Celebrate 100 form. See the instructions on the form to claim prizes.
This is a traditional cache hidden at the posted coordinates. You are looking for a Regular size container. Please return everything as good or better than you found it.
Thank you
angelsunshine
for creating, hiding and maintaining this MSPC GeoTour cache.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Aerial image of Clear Lake
Clear Lake State Park:
Clear Lake State Park is a jewel-like lake nestled in the pines, with sand beaches around its perimeter. Fed by deep springs, the 133-acre lake is over 80 feet deep and very clear. Excellent trout habitat, but very busy in the summer with multiple water sports enjoyed across the surface.
The campgrounds are located along the north shore, and the Day Use Area is on the south shore.
Several private residences share the lake with the park.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Clear Lake State Park is in Elk Country
History:
This land was originally mapped/platted in 1850, and the State of Michigan acquired the land on the south side of the lake in a land exchange in 1917. There was a CCC camp on the south side of the lake at the Day Use Area. The Civilian Conservation Corps was referred to as Roosevelt′s Tree Army. The CCC was signed into law on March 21, 1933 and the first camp was opened on April 17, 1933. The initial draft of 250,000 men in 1300 camps was in place by July 1 of the same year. Young men 17-23 years old were enrolled for 6-month details. They were paid $30.00 a month; however, they were required to send $22.00 back home. The buildings and grounds left by the CCC Camp were later used as a summer camp for MSU students.
In 1940 the state deeded the land to Montmorency County for use as a county park, but the county returned the property to the State for use as a State Park in 1965. Clear Lake State Park was dedicated on May 20. 1966
Map courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Activities:
With a shallow, sandy beach, the lake is well suited to swimming for all ages. The park is popular with boaters/paddlers and fishermen alike. Trout and smallmouth bass are a big draw. Access to ORV and Mountain Bike trails are also available. The park has a trail connection to the Atlanta ORV trail. A disc golf course is on the property. Wildlife observation is also popular. If you are lucky, you can see elk. In the fall, you can hear the bulls bugle.
Information:
For more information, reservations and a calendar of events, follow this link to
Clear Lake State Park.
Special thanks to
orm3757
for help with this geocache.
Special thanks to Are You Geocacher Enough? Road Rally for the Northern Lower regional prize.
Resources: