UPDATE: 3/1/2024:
2019 was the 100th Anniversary of Michigan State Parks and we're still celebrating!. Join the Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Geocaching.com for the first official GeoTour in Michigan.
This tour was originally scheduled to run for three years, kicking off on Friday of Memorial Weekend in 2019 and continue through May 31, 2022. The success of this awesome tour has not gone unnoticed. On February 2, 2022, The DNR announced the extension of the GeoTour through September 24, 2024! Join us in making a final push to complete this very popular and very successful GeoTour before the sun sets on it.
Each geocache is in one of Michigan's state parks. The geocaches are arranged by MiGO Region, with twenty-five geocaches per region. The Ticket to Celebrate 100 is available for download from the DNR's Geocaching page. It explains how to qualify for prizes in each of the four regions and for the GeoTour as a whole.
Day use areas of state parks are open from 8AM to 10PM. Geocaching is limited to those hours. Entry into Michigan's State Parks requires a Michigan Recreation Passport. See the Resources section below for more information.
The sun will set on the MSPCGT at midnight Tuesday, September 24, 2024. The MSPCGT will go off the air as a GeoTour and the caches will disappear from the map. There is a lot of construction going on in our State Parks in 2024. Some of the GeoTour caches will have to be pulled earlier. The remaining geocaches in the tour will be archived October 1, 2024. Players will have until December 31, 2024 to claim any prize they have earned. Hiders will be contacted to request removal of the geocaches they hid unless they have made arrangements with park managers and have their own permit in place to keep the geocache in play, with a new GC Code.
Now for some good news: MiGO and the DNR are busy working on a new project that will kick off in the Spring of 2025, code named MSPGT 2.0. Are you interested in helping? Keep your MiGO Membership up to date and stay tuned to the website.
Cache:
This cache was hidden as part of the Michigan State Parks Centennial GeoTour, presented by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Geocaching Organization. Record the codeword printed on the log book and on a label inside the cache container to the appropriate box on the Ticket to Celebrate 100 form. See the instructions on the form to claim prizes.
This is a traditional cache hidden at the posted coordinates. The container has a combination lock that you may need the hint for, or simply look at the cache. You are looking for a Regular size container. Please return everything as good or better than you found it.
Thank you
2277
for creating, hiding and maintaining this MSPC GeoTour cache.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Little Presque Isla Superior Shoreline
Little Presque Isle:
Little Presque Isle is a natural wilderness area that is being developed as a mountain biking and hiking mecca. The North Country Trail winds its way through the park along Lake Superior coastline.
The Little Presque Isle tract is often called the crown jewel of Lake Superior, with its beautiful sand beaches, rugged shoreline cliffs, heavily timbered forests, and unmatched public views. The proposed natural area occurs north and south of Little Presque Point, around the mouth of Harlow Creek. The area is a combination of a wooded dune and swale community and bedrock lakeshore and cliff. The wooded dunes and swales formed as post-glacial lake levels receded, depositing a series of low sandy beach ridges. Since then, the ridges have become forested with hemlock, red pine, white pine, cedar, and balsam fir, while the wet swales that developed between them are now either forested or open wetlands.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Rustic cabins are available for rent
The rustic log cabins at Little Presque Isle Forest Recreation Area sit among birch and pine woodlands on the shore of Harlow Lake and Harlow Creek. Over four miles of beautiful Lake Superior beach are within easy hiking distance of the cabins. Fishing, hiking and winter recreation surround your one room cabin, which can accommodate up to six people. Water is provided by an outdoor hand pump and vault toilets are nearby. There is no electricity at Little Presque Isle. Recreation Passport required for entry. The cabins can be found in Marquette County, just 6 miles north of the city of Marquette on Harlow Lake Road via County Road 550.
Map courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Activities:
Hiking and mountain biking are the biggest draws to the park. Designated trails have been /are being developed in the park ranging from beginner and intermediate to advanced and expert. Fishing is also popular on Harlow Lake. Non-motorized craft only are allowed. Bird watching and photography are also favorite pastimes here.
Information:
The cabins and trails are managed by Van Riper State Park
Van Riper State Park.
Special thanks to
3 Amigos
for help with this geocache.
Special thanks to Cherry Capital Cachers for the Upper Peninsula regional prize.
Resources: