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
Seney National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1935. The refuge has three main purposes. The first purpose is to serve as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Initially, the goal of the refuge was to transform the refuge’s portion of the Greater Manistique Swamp into a series of pools where Canadian geese and ducks would breed. The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration started this work with the refuge staff in the 1930s and 1940s. Pool construction, which involved building a series of levees and water control structures, flooded nearly 6,200-acres of land, and this continued into the 1950s . However, the breeding population of ducks on the refuge never reached the size early managers hoped for, so the pool construction was stopped. Today, these pools serve as a breeding ground for common loons, trumpeter swans, Canadian geese, bald eagles, and osprey.
The second purpose is to serve as an inviolate sanctuary for migratory birds. The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Act used money from Duck Stamp sales to purchase refuge lands. Many lands purchased with Duck Stamp funds were defined as inviolate sanctuaries. These lands, under most circumstances, must be at least partially closed to migratory bird hunting to allow birds a place of refuge and protection where they cannot be harmed.
The third purpose is for the conservation, management and restoration of the fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Marshland Wildlife Drive
Enjoy a drive through the refuge. This seven-mile, one-way, auto tour route is open from May 15 to Oct. 20 (from dawn to dusk) and takes visitors through wetlands and forests. Three observation decks and numerous pools make this drive a great wildlife watching opportunity. The tour route does not accommodate large recreational vehicles. Common sites on the driving tour include common loons, trumpeter swans, muskrat, beaver, ring-necked ducks, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, osprey, and many other species.
The Marshland Wildlife Drive (7 miles) and Fishing Loop (8.5 miles) are one-way, narrow, winding roads. These roads are NOT appropriate for all vehicles. Size restrictions are:
- Vehicles over 28 feet are not allowed on the drive.
- If your wheelbase is over 234 inches you will not be able to make the turns.
- Turning radius needs to be 45 degrees.
- Vehicle width cannot exceed 9 feet.
- Tress are trimmed to ensure that there is an 11 foot clearance along the drive, if your vehicle is taller you should not take the drive.
Below is a list of all events in this tour.