MSPCGT:Thompson's Harbor SP Traditional Cache

Michigan State Parks Centennial GeoTour (GT93)

UPDATE: 3/1/2024:

2019 was the 100^th 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.

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 cache is not easily accessible in winter.

This is a traditional cache in a wonderful location. The hike takes you a third of a mile down a trail along a stony beach, so wear appropriate footwear. The access road is not maintained in winter. 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.

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^{Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources}
Shorline at Thompson′s Harbor

Thompson′s Harbor State Park:

Situated along seven and a half miles of Lake Huron shoreline, this undeveloped park provides a rustic retreat for hikers exploring the park′s six miles of trails. Thompson′s Harbor now has two rustic cabins. This park is situated on the US23 Heritage Route that runs from Standish on the south end to Mackinaw city at the north end. Communities along the route sponsor and host Heritage Route events throughout the year.

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^{Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources}
Rustic Cedar-Haven Cabin

History:

One of the State′s newest parks, Thompson′s Harbor State Park was established in 1988. Thompson′s Harbor State Park was designated a Michigan dark sky preserve in 2016; one of 6 Michigan state parks that hold this designation.

^{Map courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources}

Activities:

Activities at this undeveloped park include trail and mountain biking, fishing, hiking, hunting (in season), cross-country skiing and wildlife viewing.

Information:

For more information, reservations and a calendar of events, follow this link to Thompson′s Harbor State Park.

Special thanks to JHBDFamily for help with this geocache.

Special thanks to Are You Geocacher Enough? Road Rally for the Northern Lower regional prize.

Resources:

• State Parks Centennial GeoTour - Download the Ticket to Celebrate 100
• Michigan.gov/StateParks100
• Michigan DNR Recreation Passport
• When were Michigan state parks and recreation areas established?
• Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO)