Helios Series

This 7-box series at Muskegon State Park was originally planted for the Lazy Days of Summer Mini-Gathering held in July 2005. I had originally intended to move the boxes to other locations after the event, but never found a better place so have decided to leave them where they are. The clues have been until now available only WOM and they have been found by several area letterboxers, but since the boxes are not being moved, I’ve decided to list them so they can be enjoyed by all.

The section of trail that you will need to hike to collect these boxes is approximately 2 miles one way. Although the trail is well-marked, it is rough in places – a narrow, rutted, rooted footpath with several hills, a couple of them quite steep. Once you have finished the series, you will need to backtrack, or find an alternate trail, to get back to your vehicle. It is highly recommended that you obtain a park map to aid you in this series.

Getting There…

Follow Memorial Drive west toward Muskegon State Park. About a mile before Memorial Drive ends at Lake Michigan, you will come to a large Muskegon State Park sign on the right side of the road. The entrance to Snug Harbor is across from this. Enter the park and go to your right toward the picnic shelter.

Clues…

The boxes have been placed in a linear fashion as you make your way from Snug Harbor to the Blockhouse. After crossing Memorial Drive, your strategy will be to follow the letters found on the trail markers up the alphabet, unless instructed to do otherwise.

Ancient Sun…

As you leave Snug Harbor and cross Memorial Drive, be a hearty hiker and head up the hill through an area of woodland debris. Watch your step as the trail levels off – don’t trip on that stump-knot! A short distance after you step across, stop at the tree with the blown-out belly. At 25 degrees find the Ancient Sun within the sinewy shreds of a broken tree.

Spiral Sun…

As you continue along the trail, watch for a tall straight pole which looks unmistakably like a utility pole. What it is doing out here is anybody’s guess. Alas, it is not a lone phenomenon; there are others. When you reach the second utility pole on your right, stop for a closer look. Then sight 35 degrees and find the Spiral Sun hiding in a broken tree.

Native Sun…

Your assigned strategy becomes doubly important when you reach the place of choosing and soon you are on your way again along a very pretty section of trail – one of my favorites. I know, you are looking around and seeing all kinds of hollow stumps and logs (this place is a letterboxer’s dream), wondering why I didn’t just use these places instead of pushing you further up the trail. But stay with me here… we are going somewhere. Heed the warning at the next signpost and stay your course. When you reach the lettered post by heading up and left, again recall your assigned strategy. Eventually you will come to a large sandy area. In the sand sits a stump resembling a clenched fist, with a lone finger pointing upward. 150 degrees from the finger, find a holey tree. The Native Sun hides down low.

Terra Cotta Sun…

Continue on toward the next letter. As the trail skirts the edge of another large sandy area, you will be treated to a glimpse of Lake Michigan through the trees in the west. Oh, an intersection – “G” which way? No cheating! At the next trail post, sight 305 degrees to a hollow log and find the Terra-Cotta Sun (good thing you followed your strategy and didn’t try to take a short-cut or you would have missed this beauty!).

Carefree Sun…

Upon reaching the next letter (Finally), divert from your strategy and head to “X” to view the lake. Follow the trail a short distance to your right to the place where sticks and logs and other forest debris lay on both sides of you. On your right lies a large fallen tree… follow this tree back up to the trail you came down on. Go there. Now follow this log down a few steps to the place where 2 trees stand beside it. Find the Carefree Sun tucked under the log between these two trees.

Aztec Sun…

Head back up to the main trail and resume your strategy. As you make your way toward the next letter, come to a clearing where a dead tree stump stands besides its fallen limbs. 130 degrees from here, the Aztec Sun hides in the eye of the needle.

Mosaic Sun…

Continuing on your way, you will come to a large sandy area with several trails heading in various directions. There, across the sandy area is your final letter. Look straight ahead to find the continuation of your trail heading west and don’t be tempted by imposter pathways. 100 paces past the sandy area, roots snake across the path as a trail breaks off to your right. Follow this pathway down into a leaf-filled gulley. Where the trail splits and heads up to the Blockhouse parking area, jog left and find a small cut log laying off to your left. It may not appear hollow from the trail, but check again to find the Mosaic Sun.