SwtM - Crystal Falls Multi-cache

This cache has been archived.

The Mitten Crew: Another year of the "Smitten with the Mitten" series has come to a close. Thanks for visiting this cache and learning about Michigan Small Towns.

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Hidden : 5/20/2017
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


The cache coordinates are a good spot to park for the back side of this Grand Rapids Township Park.

Once at that location take a minute to read the description to this cache and figure out the second stage (final location) of this multi cache.

Using the posted coordinates for this cache, substitute the last three digits in the year that Crystal Falls was platted, minus 33, for your north coordinate.

Using the posted coordinates for this cache, substitute the last three digits of the year that Crystal Falls received international attention, less 56, for your west coordinate

Crystal Falls was first developed as a major center for iron mining and the timber industry; it has become increasingly popular for tourism in recent years. It's population as of the 2010 census is 1,469 and it is the county seat of Iron County.

Crystal Falls was platted in 1881. It was named for a nearby icy waterfall on the Paint River. A post office called Crystal Falls has been in operation since 1885. Crystal Falls is home to the Crystal Theater, a regional performing arts center.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.61 square miles, of which 3.47 square miles is land and 0.14 square miles is water. The city is very hilly and the castle-like county courthouse (built in 1890) sits on the highest point, overlooking the downtown business district.

In April 1992, Crystal Falls received international attention due to the discovery of a giant fungus, Armillaria bulbosa, in the nearby forest. The discovery was announced in articles in Nature and the New York Times. The fungus covered an area of more than 30 acres and had a total mass estimated at 100 tons. At the time it was believed to be the oldest living organism on earth, as well as one of the largest.

Although the fungus is actually located in nearby Mastodon Township, Michigan, the city of Crystal Falls adopted it as a tourist attraction, and holds a "Humungus Fungus Fest" as an annual event.
Visit 14 geocaches in the SwtM series. At each geocache collect a letter and number combination. Insert them into the phrase: FiTS LIKe A GlOVE. Use the coordinates from the phrase to find the final geocache and become a Mitten Master
South Haven Saugatuck Crystal Falls
Adrian Colon Port Sanilac
Cadillac Manistee Leland
Petoskey Frankenmuth Alpena
Copper Harbor Ishpeming Mitten Master

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

nzzb pna nobhg 6 srrg bss bs n gerr haqre n oenapu naq pbirerq jvgu yrnirf A 42 59.848 J 085 33.936

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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