Many geocachers love stats and challenges - any kind of stats or challenges. Personally, just about all of my geocaching outings are based on goals. One of my goals has been to attend an event in every county in Michigan. A number of other cachers are working on this goal also. I wasn't able to attend the series of events in May, so I decided to host my own series. At first, I wasn't sure when would be a good time to do this, then the idea of a Upper Peninsula Fall Color Tour popped into my head. I have never been in the UP during this time of the year, so I thought that it was about time to make it happen.
This series will include at least one event or CITO in each county in the Upper Peninsula. I have looked for locations for each event that will hopefully highlight a view of the fall colors, but the colors and the weather are up to Mother Nature. The views at each event will vary. Some will have great views and some will be just average. The road time should have some great views too.
Timing is set up so that you can grab a bite to eat or find some caches between each event. No one is required to attend all of these events. Some cachers may only attend a single event. Also, being the fall, there is a chance for cooler and wetter weather, so plan accordingly.
I can not stress enough that if you are going to attend any of these events that will require an overnight stay, make your reservations as soon as possible. The Upper Peninsula does get quite busy during the fall color season. I have talked with several hotels and campgrounds and both have said that they fill up quickly.
Addendum
Please check this area for things I missed or other important information.
August 1
I would like to make an "Announcement" when there is news. I don't want to post an announcement to every single event. Lots of work for me and duplicate emails for you. If you would like to get the announcements, I will only issue them on the UP Fall Color Tour - Narnia Trails event. If you haven't posted a will attend on that event, put a "Watch" on it and you will get them.
I have created a Facebook group for those of you that are on Facebook. The name is "UP Fall Color Tour Geocaching Events".
Cell coverage can be poor to nonexistent in some areas. Have all of your caches and maps downloaded to an "offline" list or file will be very helpful.
The counties of Gogebic, Iron, Dickinson and Menominee counties are in the Central Time Zone. (One hour behind of our Eastern Time Zone). The times that are posted on the events in those counties are the local time, Central Time Zone. I believe your phone and GPS will update. My GPS can be slow to update.
I have just learned that there is an issue with the UP Fall Color Tour - Tahquamenon Upper Falls. The stairs leading down to the upper falls will be closed starting early September. The stairs are going to be replaced with a ramp system.
About this location
Entry into Michigan's State Parks requires a Michigan Recreation Passport. You must have this Passport to attend this event.
At 200 feet wide and 50 feet tall, the Upper Falls is the largest waterfall in Michigan and the third largest vertical waterfall east of the Mississippi River.
Take a walk along the quarter-mile paved trail to the viewing areas. Climb the 93 steps down to the brink viewing platform (the event's location) to get an up-close look, and enjoy the feel of mist in your face. The water is notably brown in color because of tannins that are leached from the cedar swamps, which drain into the river. During the late spring runoff, the river drains as much as 50,000 gallons of water per second. The extremely soft water, churned by the action of the falls, causes the river’s trademark of large amounts of foam.
Below is a list of all events in this tour.