Michigan State Parks GeoTour - (MSPGT2):
The geocache which you are about to seek is one of fifteen geocaches that are each a part of one of the three separate GeoTours making up the Michigan State Parks GeoTour, or MSPGT2 for short. MSPGT2 and each of its three GeoTours have a beautiful multi-part geocoin for you to earn. To qualify, you will need to download and print the Michigan State Parks GeoTours OFFICIAL LOGBOOK and follow the instructions on it. See the Resources section below for information.
Cache Details:
Traditional cache hidden in a traditional way. Please add material to camoflague the hide.
Your geocacher name on the logbook is required to claim a find. Don't forget to record the Codeword on your OFFICIAL LOGBOOK. Please return everything as good or better than you found it. Please report problems in your log and send a message to MSPGT2. Our hiders do not see message traffic. If you need to contact the hider, their geocacher name is in the Information section below.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Parks and Trails Search
Iron Belle Trail Maps
Iron Belle Trail
The Iron Belle Trail is a 2,000-mile journey winding from Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula to Belle Isle in Detroit. It crisscrosses more than half of Michigan’s counties along two distinct hiking and biking routes.
The biking route utilizes many of the state’s existing bike paths, bike lanes and designated biking routes as it travels up the east side of the state. The hiking route utilizes sidewalks, trails and the 1,000-mile plus North Country National Scenic Trail traveling up the west side of the Lower Peninsula.
Dakota Hewlett for the MI DNR
Iron Belle Trail Bridge near Bessemer
The trail is still under development and is roughly 68 percent completed. When completed, it will be the longest state-designated trail in the nation. The Iron Belle Trail Fund Campaign is a major effort to raise $155 million in private funds to support the work necessary to finish connecting the trail.
Dakota Hewlett for the MI DNR
Iron Belle Bessemer Crossroads
Activity: Hiking/Biking
For more information about existing and proposed routes, trailhead and parking information, nearby campgrounds and more, visit: Michigan's Iron Belle Trail
Visit this DNR page for more information: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/hike-and-bike
Northern Lights
MSPGT2 - Upper Peninsula Edition
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, boasting a vast array of state parks, trails, and waterways set against a backdrop of rugged natural beauty. With over 20 state parks, the UP offers unique landscapes, from the towering cliffs of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park to the dramatic shoreline of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Parks like Tahquamenon Falls showcase one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, while Fayette Historic State Park combines history with stunning views of Big Bay de Noc.
The region’s waterways are a paddler’s paradise, with opportunities to explore Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and countless inland rivers and lakes. Kayakers will love navigating the crystal-clear waters of the Two Hearted River or the serene inland lakes at Bewabic State Park. Anglers can cast a line for trout, salmon, and walleye, while boaters enjoy scenic harbors and secluded coves.
Miles of trails crisscross the UP, offering adventures for every type of explorer. The North Country Trail and Iron Belle Trail pass through lush forests and along dramatic shorelines, while the Copper Harbor Trails offer world-class mountain biking. Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers flock to the UP in winter to explore its groomed snowmobile trails and countless ski routes.
From camping under star-filled skies to exploring wild, untamed wilderness, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula delivers unparalleled outdoor experiences through its state parks, trails, and waterways.
Beautiful five-part GeoCoin by Chris Mackey
Rewards:
The image above shows the five-part Finder Geocoin for starting this adventure and the rewards for completing the three GeoTours that are part of the Michigan State Parks GeoTour (MSPGT2). The oversized coin is trackable. When you complete one or more of the three GeoTours, the Finders Geocoin is available to order from the MSPGT2 Page on the MiGO Website. It will ship with the horseback rider insert (lower right in the third image) included free, and also with any or all of the other three inserts that you have earned by completing one, two or all three GeoTours that are part of the overall MSPGT2 experience. There is also a Supporter Coin available in the store that will not accommodate the inserts. Download the OFFICIAL LOGBOOK (see Resources Section), record the codewords included with each cache as you find them, and follow the instructions on the OFFICIAL LOGBOOK to claim your prize(s).
This geocache is one of fifteen that make up the Upper Peninsula Edition of the Michigan State Parks GeoTour (MSPGT2). The reward for completing the Upper Peninsula Edition is the Snowmobiling insert shown in the lower leftposition.
MSPGT2 Team:
Thank you, Team Nix, for creating, hiding, watching and maintaining this MSPCGT2 Cache for the DNR, MiGO, and your fellow cachers.
Thank you, Wandering Tracks and NextStep_ for contributing to help make this MSPGT2 Cache a success for MiGO and the Michigan DNR.
Thank you, park supervisor Ron Yesney and the team from Iron Belle Trail for help and cooperation placing this geocache.
Thank you, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, for this GeoTour and for providing the beautiful trinkets for the players.
Thank you, MSPGT2 Core Team Members who helped create and maintain this GeoTour:
IsabellaRoad - DNR Team Lead
kzooOtters- MiGO Team Lead
Merlin1392 - MiGO Geocaching HQ Liasion and Coin Design
LynnGeoGin - MiGO Rewards Manager
JellyFish - MiGO Hider Liaisons and Problem Management
aghudley - MiGO Cache Page design and implementation
IFollowRoads, MsPackrat - MiGO GeoTour planning
fox-and-the-hound - Coin Design and Implementation
Resources
Follow the links below for additional information:
MSPGT2 Upper Peninsula Edition (GT4F8) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Northern Lower Peninsula Edition (GT4F7) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Southern Lower Peninsula Edition (GT4F6) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Official Logbook - Download and print to record your progress and claim your rewards. Instructions are included.
Michigan DNR Geocaching Page - Information about MSPGT2 and other DNR Geocaching activities
Michigan DNR Recreation Passport - Required for entry into Michigan State Parks, Recreation Areas, State Campgrounds, State Harbors and State Access Points.
Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO) - MiGO Website with lots of information for geocaching in Michigan.
Michigan Geocaching Organization GeoTour Page - MiGO's MSPGT2 GeoTours page with information about the rewards.
Presented By:
The three GeoTours (Editions) making up MSPGT2 are a colaboration between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MI DNR) and the Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO). The MI DNR is the owner and MiGO is the creator and operator. There are fifteen caches in each of the three Geo Tour "Editions". Each of the geocaches were created and hidden by volunteer members of MiGO. Rewards for completing each "Edition" are described above. The GeoTours are currently under contract to run for two years, starting Memorial Day Weekend, 2025.