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:
This cache is a Letterbox-Hybrid gadget cache. You need to figure out the combination to the lock using a tool that is provided. To access the cache, you will need to practice some archery skills.
At the posted coordinates you will find a white birdhouse with targets all over it. Each target has a number on it. Use the provided arrow to get the combination to the lock by touching the head of the arrow to each target. When the arrow "sticks" to a target, that is one of the numbers needed for the combination. The roof, front, and both sides each have a number, giving you four total numbers for the combination. The first number in the combination is on the roof (top) of the birdhouse. The second number will be found just below that. Then the third, and finally the fourth number near the bottom of the birdhouse. Once all four numbers have been correctly entered into the lock, push slightly on the lock and it will release. Please reset the lock and lock it after you are done.
If you need more help, you might want to consider going Geocaching with sgerbs.
Tool of the Trade: Target Arrow (provided). Hit the right targets in the correct order.
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
Boat in the Canal between the Lakes
Mitchell State Park
William Mitchell State Park is a popular camping, fishing and boating destination. The 660-acre park is situated between Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac, providing excellent opportunities to view a variety of wildlife. The quarter-mile Clam Lake Canal connects the two lakes.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center
Activity: Shooting - Archery
The Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center in the park features interpretive displays about the history of hunting and fishing in Michigan. The center includes both archery and pellet gun ranges, offers scheduled shooting programs throughout the summer and offers group tours and guided hikes.
Visit this DNR page for more information: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/shooting
MSPGT2 - Northern Lower Peninsula Edition
Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula is a paradise for outdoor recreation, with its vast network of state parks, trails, and waterways offering endless opportunities to connect with nature. The region is home to iconic state parks with sandy trails that lead to sweeping views of Lake Michigan, and others that have towering trees that tell the story of Michigan’s logging history.
Paddlers can explore the serene waters of the Au Sable, Manistee, and Boardman Rivers, while boaters and anglers enjoy the region’s many inland lakes and access to Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The Chain of Lakes Water Trail is a must for kayakers, with its crystal-clear waters and scenic shorelines.
For hikers and cyclists, the North Country Trail and Iron Belle Trail wind through the region’s forests, fields, and charming towns, offering something for every skill level. The High Country Pathway and Jordan River Pathway are perfect for more rugged adventures.
Winter transforms the trails into destinations for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling, with groomed snowmobile trails across the region.
Whether you’re camping along the shores of Lake Michigan, stargazing from a dark sky preserve, or simply soaking in the beauty of Michigan’s pristine wilderness, the Northern Lower Peninsula’s state parks, trails, and waterways provide unforgettable experiences for all who visit.
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 Northen Lower Peninsula Edition of the Michigan State Parks GeoTour (MSPGT2). The reward for completing the Northen Lower Peninsula Edition is the Kayaking insert shown in the upper leftposition.
MSPGT2 Team:
Thank you, sgerbs, for creating, hiding, watching and maintaining this MSPCGT2 Cache for the DNR, MiGO, and your fellow cachers.
Thank you, RXWranglers and stuffedcabbage for contributing to help make this MSPGT2 Cache a success for MiGO and the Michigan DNR.
Thank you, park supervisor Benjamin Dietrich and the team from Mitchell State Park 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.