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:
Cell service is bad. Download the cache to your device and/or print the Instructions section, and READ THE INSTRUCTIONS before attempting to find this cache. Failure to follow the instructions exactly will result in the cache being Out of Order. There is a video below. There are waypoints you can follow if you can't see the pictures.
This cache is not at the posted coordinates. It is a Letterbox Hybrid combined with a Gadget Cache. The Letterbox portion uses waypoints and photos to lead you to the geocache. The purpose of this method is to keep geocachers on a specific trail and out of areas that they should not be in. It is also the easiest path to the geocache. Go to each of the available waypoints following the instructions below.
The container is a gadget cache. It will be inside a "cabinet" built to look like the deck platform it is located on.
Please park at the posted coordinates. This is a letterbox geocache where you need to follow the instructions to get to the geocache. The geocache is not located at the posted coordinates. If you follow these instructions and look at the photos, then you should be able to find the geocache without issue. Please note that this is an active adventure park even in the summer and certainly the winter. The geocache is hidden close to the winter luge track. It is important to stay safe and stay on paths and designated stairs.
Luge On... Let it Snow!
Welcome to the world of luging or is it lugging? It is really both. Muskegon State Park has one of the most accessible Luge Tracks in the USA. There are only four Luge Tracks in the USA and two are in Michigan. This one is open to the public. Luge is a sled that has runners, bridges that connect the runners, a pod to lay on, and grips on both sides of the pod to hang on. A luger lies on their back and slides feet first. Muskegon State Park allows the public to slide down the course after lugging the sled to the top. You can take a short class where all the gear is provided and you can luge for a couple hours. You are even timed. The track is only open when the temperatures allow ice to remain.
Tool of the Trade: A steel marble (provided).
This geocache requires the steel marble to be lugged to the top to two different holes and one slide to a third hole. Once the steel marble “disappears”, the drawer is ready to be opened. Please note that the drawer must be completely closed when the final drop through the hole is made. Pulling the drawer out other times is possible but the logbook will not be there. Pull the drawer completely out and then push completely back in to reset the marble.
Life is hard and sometimes you want a shortcut. I have built one just for you. There is a slot in which a pathtag would fit perfectly. Note that there is not a pathtag return. Please avoid putting anything bigger than a pathtag. No loonies in here.
Instructions:
Luge Track at Muskegon State Park
1. Park and start at the Parking Waypoint. Proceed on foot to the Posted Coordinates.
Posted Coordinates - Go right to the Luge Course
2. When you arrive at the Posted Coordinates, in front of you in the distance, you should see a sign stating “Archery Range”. To your left is the Ice Skating Trail. Bring your skates if you are here in the winter, but don't use them to find the cache! PLEASE TAKE THE PATH TO THE RIGHT (past the path to the climbing wall) and continue up the hill to the Luge Track.
At Luge U-Turn - go to your right.
3. Arriving at the Luge Track, in front of you is the Winter Luge Track. You should see some stairs that would take you over the final U turn in the track. Don't go that way. Instead, Please turn and follow the path to the right of the luge track, heading to another set of Stairs.
At Ping Curve - go up the stairs to your right
4. You should be at the bottom of another stairway. On your left is a sign noting that this is Ping Curve. Do not go to the sign. Instead take the stairway up to the Intersection. If you were to luge here, you would be carrying your sled up this stairway with you.
Three Way Intersection - go left
5. At the top of the stairs you should see a three way intersection in the boardwalk. If you are carrying a luge sled, then go to the right. If you are going to the geocache, then go to the left, navigating to the Gadget.
Go straight, not right
6. Continue on this boardwalk. Do not take the stairs to your right.
The Platform
7. You have arrived. The geocache is in a large covered cabinet. BEFORE YOU PROCEED, READ THE REMAINING STEPS! Failure to do so may leave the cache OUT OF ORDER.
DO NOT PUT THE MARBLE IN PLAY WITH THE DRAWER OPEN, EVEN A LITTLE!
To learn how to properly make the find, you can watch this video.
Open the three flaps. Please do your best to keep snow and rain out of the gadget cache. It will last longer with special care, thank you so much.
8. Now the fun! Use the luge sled to move the steel marble through the maze. You can see red arrows for the holes that you need to put the marble into. The marble will start on the left side, move to the right side, and move back to the left side. Once back on the left side, drag the marble to the top of the Luge Course, turn it loose and let it slide down the hill. It will disappear and no longer be visible on either side.
9. You should now be able to open the drawer completely. You should find the logbook and stamp for the letterbox. Use the stamp if you want a personalized luge stamp in a notebook. Please note that ink pads might not work so well in freezing weather. Please bring your own if you really want one. Please close the drawer completely when done, allowing the marble to reset for the next person.
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
Sunset over Lake Michigan at Muskegon State Park
Muskegon State Park
Muskegon State Park is home to 3 miles of breathtaking shoreline (2 miles along Lake Michigan and 1 mile on Muskegon Lake), Snug Harbor, forested dunes, two campgrounds, picnic areas, multiple trails and more. One of the park's popular features is the blockhouse that was originally built by the CCC in the 1930s to provide opportunities for visitors to see in all directions. It sits on the highest point in Muskegon County.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Parks and Trails Search
The Luge at Muskegon State Park
Activity: Winter Activities - Luge
The year-round Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park boasts an Olympian-designed luge track, an ice-skating trail, a sledding hill, cross-country ski trails, a 1,300-foot dual zip line, a one-of-a-kind summer luge track, an archery range and much more. A ticket is required, and reservations are available.
Visit this DNR page for more information: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/winter/complex
MSPGT2 - Southern Lower Peninsula Edition
Michigan’s Southern Lower Peninsula is a hub for outdoor adventure, with state parks, trails, and waterways that showcase the region’s natural beauty and diverse landscapes. From sandy beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan to serene inland lakes and winding rivers, there’s something for everyone to explore.
State parks like Holland, Muskegon, and Grand Haven offer stunning stretches of Lake Michigan shoreline perfect for swimming, picnicking, and catching sunsets. Inland, Yankee Springs Recreation Area features miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, fishing spots, and campsites. Waterloo and Pinckney Recreation Areas are favorites for backpackers and kayakers, with scenic routes like the Potawatomi Trail and waterways like the Huron River.
For paddlers, the Grand, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph Rivers provide calm waters ideal for kayaking and canoeing. Fishing enthusiasts will find plentiful opportunities in the area’s lakes and streams. Trails such as the Kal-Haven and Mike Levine Lakelands Trail cater to cyclists, runners, and walkers, weaving through picturesque countryside and historic towns.
In winter, these trails transform into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing destinations, while parks like Fort Custer provide winter hiking and fat-tire biking options.
With its blend of rolling hills, forests, wetlands, and shorelines, Michigan’s Southern Lower Peninsula offers a diverse outdoor playground. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or family fun, the region’s state parks, trails, and waterways promise an unforgettable experience.
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 Southern Lower Peninsula Edition of the Michigan State Parks GeoTour (MSPGT2). The reward for completing the Southern Lower Peninsula Edition is the Fishing insert shown in the upper right position.
MSPGT2 Team:
Thank you, CCSquire, for creating, hiding, watching and maintaining this MSPCGT2 Cache for the DNR, MiGO, and your fellow cachers.
Thank you, FishyPeople27 and K&A Enterprises for contributing to help make this MSPGT2 Cache a success for MiGO and the Michigan DNR.
Thank you, park supervisor Gregory Sherburn and the team from Muskegon 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.