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.
I was very impressed with this park. Beautiful grassy areas, on a lake, a beach, plus several other amenities.
Bewabic State Park is a public recreation area covering 315 acres on the shore of Fortune Lake, which is part of the Fortune Lakes Chain. The park is home to both modern and rustic campsites, a day-use area, a tennis court, hiking trails, a boat launch and more. The park is rich with Civilian Conservation Corps history, which is evident by several CCC structures still in use.
Bewabic Park was created in 1923, when Herbert F. Larson, the engineer-manager of the Iron County Road Commission purchased a 120-acre farmstead on Fortune Lake containing a stand of virgin timber. Larson turned the farmhouse into a caretaker's residence, and installed a bathing beach, picnic area parking lot, and campground. Improvements at the park were minimal until 1933, when workers from the Civil Works Administration (CWA) were assigned to the park.
One hundred and seventy CWA workers were assigned to Bewabic Park in 1933. They constructed a footbridge and trail to access an island in Fortune Lake, built a bandstand and tennis courts, added stoves and tables to the picnic area, and built a large wooden picnic shelter known as "The Wigwam." After its halt, the CWA program was replaced by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In 1935, one hundred and eight CCC workers began work in Bewabic Park, and continued until 1937.
The CCC workers implemented an extensive plan for Bewabic Park, which included constructing buildings designed by local architect Abraham Anderson and implementing landscaping designed by Glenn Case Gregg of Michigan State College. The workers moved the farmhouse, tore down the associated barns, and expanded the picnic area. They built a log bathhouse that included dressing rooms and store rooms for canoes, a stone restroom, and stone drinking fountains. They also constructed more benches and tables, installed a playground and footpaths, and expanded the camping area.
In 1966, Bewabic Park was purchased by the state of Michigan as part of an acquisition program to substantially expand the state park system. The next year the state purchased 40 adjoining acres to create the present park. In 1971, the bathhouse was remodeled, and in 1975 the campground was substantially increased in size. However, the park still contains significant examples of the rustic park architecture originally built by the CWA and the CCC.
Below is a list of all events in this tour.