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. You are looking for a Regular size container. Please return everything as good or better than you found it.
Thank you
mmc881
for creating, hiding and maintaining this MSPC GeoTour cache.
Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
CAPTION
Highland Recreation Area:
Highland Recreation Area offers 5,900 acres of forest, marshes and lakes in the rolling hills of southern Michigan. The Highland Recreation Area includes the Haven Hill Natural Area. This natural area has all southern Michigan's principal forest types within one small area, including swamp forest of tamarack, cedar, beech-maple forest, oak-hickory forest and mixed hardwood forest. The area has remained largely undisturbed for the past 75 years and has retained its natural character as well as some unusual flora and fauna. It is an excellent educational facility which is used by universities and international organizations. Late April and early May are the best times to view warblers and spring wildflowers.
Photo courtesy of Friends of Highland Recreation Area
Haven Hill Gate House
History:
The Haven Hill Natural Area got its start when Eleanor Ford, the widow of Edsel Ford, sold their 2,422-acre Haven Hill Estate to the State of Michigan in 1946. The Fords had purchased the property in 1923 with the intent to create a get away from city life. The Lodge was the primary residence of the Ford′s. The property also had riding stables, a barn for work and domestic animals, a carriage house that included a three-stall garage and living quarters for the staff. The Gate House was main entrance to the property. It was clear that the estate was a playground for the Ford′s. It included a toboggan run with a 3000-foot tow line, a swimming pool and a tennis court. Fishing and horseback riding were also popular activities.
Budget cuts in the 1980s caused the State to close the estate′s buildings. Fire destroyed the riding stables and the lodge. What remains of the buildings are leased to the Friends of Highland Recreation Area who hope to restore them. The organization is committed to the Highland Recreation Area by assisting and promoting interpretive, scientific, historical and educational visitor services.
Map courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Activities:
With trails to accommodate equestrian riders, mountain bikers, hikers and skiers, there's an activity for every season in this park. Three different day-use areas provide ample space for picnics, swimming, horseshoes or volleyball. Access sites are located on four lakes within the park for fishing and recreational boating.
Information:
For more information, reservations and a calendar of events, follow this link to
Highland Recreation Area.
Special thanks to
Traveling Dave
for help with this geocache.
Special thanks to beenhere, LynnGeoGin and HNY Event Staff for the Southeast regional prize.
Resources: