Remember, this is a marsh....If you are intending to hunt for the caches or explore the trails, please come prepared with boots/old shoes (not sandals or flip-flops), long pants, and insect repellent. This time of year in the woods of South Eastern Michigan there is poison ivy, ticks and mosquitoes a plenty!
Admission to Crosswinds Marsh is free!
You must physically sign the log to claim the find so, BRING YOUR OWN PEN. The cache started with a pen and SWAG but, no guarantees that it will be there! If you take something.....leave something.
Crosswinds Marsh is one of the largest man-made wetlands in the country. It was built to replace the wetlands that were paved over to expand Wayne County's Detroit Metro Airport (the McNamara terminal). Wayne County, together with Sumpter Township, purchased over 900 acres of farmland that believe it or not, was once wetland that had been converted into farm fields by draining the land...in a process that took over a year. They flooded former farm fields, planted new wetland plants and transplanted endangered species from metro Airport. The area is managed by the Wayne County Parks.
On August 8 the Parks system put on a Hobby day and invited some members of MIGO to participate. As part of the day's activities a Geocaching event was held which included the launch of 12 Geocaches dedicated to the various species associated with the wildlife area. This cache is one of them. FTF was raffled and given to 1 lucky attender of the event. A link to all of the caches may be FOUND HERE. In the cover of the cache you will find a three digit code. Record this code for entering into a online form for registration for a commemorative collectible for those that complete the series. The link to the form is found HERE.
There have been over 240 species of birds identified at the marsh. Additionally there are nesting bald eagles visible thru-out the year. Boardwalks were built to give the visitors an intimate view of life in the wetlands. The marsh offers year-round activities including trails for hiking (over 6 miles), horseback riding and cross-country skiing, and areas for picnicking and fishing. DO NOTE that the park utilizes porta-potties and has no fresh running water or electricity.
LITTLE BROWN BAT
Did you know that one little brown bat can eat 1,000 insects per hour? A group of 1,000 bats could eat 4 tons of insects each year! This is quite impressive considering a little brown bat is only 2.5 to 4 inches long (approximately the length of your palm) and weighs ½ ounce (equivalent to the weight of 44 pennies)!
Crosswinds Marsh Rules
No fires
No bikes / ATVs / personal watercraft
No swimming or ice fishing
Dogs must be leashed
No alcohol or illegal substances
No camping
Fishing in designated areas only
Collecting of plants & animals prohibited
All Geocachers must follow the above rules
Crosswinds Marsh is open from DAWN to DUSK
Our crew consists of The Seed Spreaders, Stan&Ruth and Hooked On U
