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.
Stage 2 has been destroyed with the clear cut timbering. The coordinates for the final are now visible in the waypoints list, and are also given here: N 42° 30.157 W 083° 42.506
For your entertainment, the original puzzle was:
This is a three stage multi-cache and is not at the posted coordinates. To determine location of the final, make your way the posted coordinates to begin your quest. You might want to bring your own binoculars.
It's hunting season and you are out to get yourself a deer. Using the the naked eye or your own binoculars, scan the tree line to the west and south. Do you see it? You estimate the distance at about 140 yards and take your shot. Calculate the approximate direction and put a waypoint in your device to help find your trophy. Now, navigate to that waypoint. You will get close. Once there, look the animal over. He seems to have some tracking information, i.e., the coordinates to stage 3. Enter those in your trusty GPS device and see where they take you. They will be used to spot the deer (cutout) to the west. Don't forget to take a picture with your trophy (but don't post it).
You are looking for a Regular size container. Please return everything as good or better than you found it.
Thank you
South Lyon Trekkers
for creating, hiding and maintaining this MSPC GeoTour cache.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Island Lake Sunset
Island Lake Recreational Area:
Located in Livingston County, Michigan, Island Lake Recreation Area is comprised
of 4000 acres of mixed hardwood forests and open brush and meadows. The Huron River flows through the park and it is possible to connect to other state recreation areas and Metroparks.
History:
It was established in 1944 as the first Dodge Park and was the site of a Spanish- American War encampment. Early settlers used the area and their former presence can still be found. According to the Michigan DNR General Management Plan there are scattered prehistoric sites, old farmsteads and graveyards within the park. Early settlers and Native Americans used the waterways in this area for transportation.
Map courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Activities:
It is one of the top visited state parks in Michigan with a wide variety of amenities including the only hot air balloon port in the state park system and one of the few parks with a shooting range. There are opportunities for hiking and mountain biking on an extensive network of trails. Fishing, hunting, metal
detecting, paddling and swimming on multiple lakes, as well as snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter.
Information:
For more information, reservations and a calendar of events, follow this link to
Island Lake Recreational Area.
Special thanks to
mdeanbbn
for help with this geocache.
Special thanks to beenhere, LynnGeoGin and HNY Event Staff for the Southeast regional prize.
Resources: