Ruckel’s Bridge

Getting There…

Go to the Ruckel’s Bridge day use area of Silver Lake State Park. There is a small amount of parking available here.

Clues…

From the picnic area, follow the easterly trail along the channel. At the point where the trail squeezes between a dead birch and a double oak, follow the trail at 270 degrees for about 25 paces to a fallen birch on your left. At 285 degrees see a standing double- (or maybe its a triple-) trunked relative about 25 paces off the main trail. From here, 25 paces at 350 degrees leads you to the letterbox.

Morning Monster Mash

The 3 letterboxes in this series are part of a 15-box collection of boxes originally planted for the 2006 MI Fall Mystery Gathering (Cereal City Circus). The boxes are located at Fort Custer State Park in Battle Creek, MI.

A few additional notes:

• Much of Fort Custer Recreation Area is open to small game hunting this time of year. The ranger assures me they have not had an accident with a hunter and a hiker, but please be careful out there!
• Many of the trails at Fort Custer are shared with bicyclists and horses – watch for road apples and step to the side of the trail when bikes come through (or they will run you down).
• There is a lot of poison ivy in some areas of the park, so be careful as you hike and seek the letterboxes.

Clues…

On a sunny fall afternoon Frankenberry, Boo Berry and Count Chocula took off in search of a spot to hold their annual Monster Mash. Since they were sure the party would be rowdy, they headed as far away as the park road would take them. There they found a beautiful lake and a sandy trail heading from the parking area at 130 degrees.

They walked along the lake for a while before the trail turned away and took them through various landscapes – meadow, pine forests… After some time, they reached the intersection with a paved trail that looked like it had at one time been a road. Thinking that they had come back far enough, they started looking for nice hiding spots. Hoping to get lucky, they left the intersection, following the horseshoe and followed the trail until they came upon another horseshoe. This time a side path off to the left looked promising so they followed it as far as they could go. They looked around a little and decided it was a good spot. Boo volunteered to stay back while Frank and the Count looked a bit more. Boo spotted a fallen log at 325 degrees and slipped inside the hollow end, waiting for the others to return.

Frank and the Count headed back to the horseshoe intersection. They decided to follow the path at 275 degrees to a place that looked familiar, where they took a left. They walked through an area of creepy hanging evergreens, came out into a meadow area and then entered back into an area of brightly colored deciduous trees after rounding a hairpin turn. A short distance up the trail, they spotted something not natural to the forest on their left. Proceeding to the place on the trail where this object lay at 60 degrees, they noted a clearing on their right. They followed the clearing path 50 paces to a place where a 3-trunk poplar tree stood on the left and agreed this would also be a great spot. Frank volunteered to wait here while the Count went further up the trail. Frank spotted a fallen log at 155 degrees and slipped under it to wait for the Count to return.

The Count headed back out to the main trail and continued in a southerly direction. After passing through an area of large evergreens he could see the lake through the trees on the other side of the open field. The trail turned to the north and then rounded a hairpin turn as it headed up root steps. He walked for a while in a southerly direction until he came to the intersection with a less defined trail on his right. At 255 degrees he spotted another good spot and headed over to investigate. Hmmm, I think I’ll just rest for a minute right here in the end of this fallen tree.

Punkin’ Patch Kids Series

This 9-box series was originally planted for the 2006 MI Fall Gathering. Yankee Springs Recreation Area was once the hunting grounds of the Algonquin Indians and the famous Chieftain, Chief Noonday. The site was established in 1835 and the village was made famous by Yankee Bill Lewis who owned and operated a hotel along the stagecoach run from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids. The rugged terrain, the bogs and marshes, the lakes and streams, and the unique beauty of the park’s 5,200 acres lend itself to many forms of recreation.

Three special points of interest in the park are: Devil’s Soupbowl, a glacially carved kettle formation, Graves Hill Overlook and The Pines, accessible from the extensive 30 mile hiking trail system.

Getting There…

The main entrance to Yankee Springs is located off Chief Noonday Road (M-179), about 7 miles off U.S. 131 between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Exit U.S. 131 at M-179 (exit 61 - Bradley/Hopkins); follow M-179 east for 7 miles to Briggs Road. Entrance is about 3/4 mile south on Briggs Road. A Michigan State Parks vehicle sticker is required. A park map is highly recommended and can be downloaded here.

Clues…

If you look at a map of the Yankee Springs Rec Area, you will find a small lake along the northern edge called MacDonald Lake. At one time Sirus MacDonald, an old Yankee farmer, laid claim to the property across the entire area as a part of his farm. Now, we all know that there are cows and pigs and chickens down on Old MacDonald’s farm, but for years he also maintained a huge pumpkin patch in the area to the north of Long Lake. Much of the land is now overgrown with pine and deciduous forest, but if you search carefully, a few remaining traces of the pumpkin patch can be found. You see, pumpkins reseed themselves and one year as the pumpkins were carved with fancy designs for Halloween, the seeds were thrown back into the field, and the next spring, little sprouts came up. These little sprouts, known as the Punkin’ Patch Kids, have made themselves at home in hollows and crannies in the forest and delight in spooking hikers along the Long Lake Trail.

There are 9 Punkin’ Patch Kids to be found… Begin your quest at the trailhead along Briggs Road just north of the Gun Lake Unit entrance. Clues are given in linear fashion, meaning each one picks up where the last one left off. You will walk the entire length of the Long Lake Trail and small sections of adjoining trails.

To Box #1…

Shortly after setting off on the trail, you will pass the rustic camping area. Explore if you must, but none of the Punkin’ Patch Kids are hiding here. As you continue on the trail, you will come to a place where a long fallen log hangs out partially onto the path. Stop here and take a bearing of 135 degrees to see a tall leaner through the trees. In a hollow between the toes of the leaner, hides KITTY FACE.

To Box #2…

Continuing along the trail, you will see an odd-looking arched tree ahead where the trail turns to head at 130 degrees. Stop for a minute to examine this perfectly arched tree. Standing at the root end, take a bearing of 345 degrees. There you will find BAT EYES hiding behind a piece of bark in the hollow of a decaying stump.

To Box #3…

Continue along now, carefully walking the planks. When you are once again on terra firma, stay your course (you didn’t want to climb that hill anyway, did you?) and Long Lake will soon come into view through the trees to your right. This is as close as you will get to the lake, so if you must see, detour down a side-path if you wish and return to the main trail when you are finished. Eventually you will cross a small wooden footbridge and then head gradually uphill. Upon reaching the wooden trail post, you will do right to remain true to blue. At the next wooden trail post, again remain true to blue, even though it may not be the right choice this time. 40 paces beyond the next colored trail marker, see the butt end of a stump hoisted in the air between two legs which are lying on the ground. Follow the easternmost leg to the place where it meets a cross-over log and slightly lifts off the ground. Here you will find TOOTH hiding beneath some pieces of wood.

To Box #4…

As you proceed onward along the trail, you will come upon a naked monstrous tree with a split belly lying to the right of the trail. At the next colored trail marker, another large fallen tree lies to your right. Take a minute to poke around the debris and find FANG hiding in the shallow hollow of a broken off arm.

To Box #5…

Back on the path, watch to your right for the decaying stone foundation of one of old MacDonald’s farm buildings. Soon the trail enters a meadowy area and the path becomes sandy. At the next colored trail marker, find a large octopus tree on your left. Sidetrack down L, inhaling the spicy pine scent. Eighty paces in, notice the humungous multi-trunk pines on your left. Straight ahead the trail splits at an area of low-growing pines. 240 degrees from the yellow arrow, spot a 4-trunk (or is it 5 trunks?) pine with straight, tall, closely spaced legs. In the belly of this tree, find CRAZED enjoying the calm of the pine forest.

To Box #6…

Head back out to the main trail where the octopus tree stands across from the colored trail marker and continue on your way. Climb a small hill and as the path levels out, enjoy the soft carpet of pine needles underfoot. Check out that big pine with the low serpent-branch on your right. 80 degrees from the trunk of this tree, find CASPER hiding in the hollow of a fallen tree.

To Box #7…

Continuing on, follow the trail down and out of the pines. Be careful of the rocks underfoot as you head uphill and to the right. At the next wooden trail marker, it appears your trail has ended… proceed just ahead to another wooden marker to see if you can find it there. Hmmm, not there either. Follow LE ahead and up root steps. Oh look, it is still your trail! As you proceed ahead toward the orange, beware of poison ivy along both sides of the path. Pass through both oranges and continue straight ahead on the path. At the top of a hill, two large rocks lie in your path. From here 35 paces brings you to an incredibly huge tree that starts as a 4-trunker and multiplies on the way up. Again pass through orange and straight ahead on the path. Here your trail ends. Turn to the right, where the trail follows the road for a little while, then turns away. Soon you will come across a 3-ft. round wooden post on your left and just up ahead a trail marker identifies your new trail. At the next colored trail marker, which stands near an intersection, take a bearing of 320 degrees and proceed 40 paces to find REX hiding at the “X”.

To Box #8…

Back at the trail, turn around and head back the way you came. Pass the “T” with your original trail and proceed straight ahead. Just past the 2nd wooden trail marker, the path turns sharply to the right as it enters an area of many fallen trees. As you leave this area of debris, the path takes a hairpin turn to the left and heads uphill. When you reach the next colored trail marker, turn around and come back 100 paces. Find a rock with a flat top off the trail to your left. Hiding under the back edge of this rock, find FRAIDY.

To Box #9…

Continue retracing your steps back to the “T” with your original trail and follow it across the road and through the orange. Enjoy the walk back, knowing there is only one more Punkin’ Patch Kid waiting for you; he is hiding right along the path you came on! After passing through the meadow area, begin counting the colored trail markers, starting with the one by the large fallen tree where you found Fang. After the third colored marker, watch for the next wooden marker. Due north from here, “X” marks the spot (no pun in tended) where you will find FRECKLES hiding under the logs.

Continue retracing your steps back to the trailhead at Briggs Road.

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.

Welcome to Michigan!

 
This letterbox was placed as a part of the I-94 Traffic Crawl letterbox series. This series was started to populate the I-94 corridor between Billings, MT and Port Huron, MI with letterboxes suitable for travelers. For more information and a complete listing of the boxes in this series or if you are interested in planting a box, join us at the Freewayletterboxing Yahoo! Group.

My Letterboxes in this Series…

• Welcome to Michigan!
• Miles From Our Home
• Flyin’ Down the Highway

Getting There…

This box is planted at the Michigan Welcome Center rest area located just inside the Michigan border along eastbound I-94. The nation’s first Highway Travel Information center opened on May 4, 1935, on US-12 at New Buffalo, not far from here. Other states followed Michigan’s lead, and by 1985 there were 251 travel information centers across the nation. The New Buffalo center was built by the Michigan State Highway Department, now the Michigan Department of Transportation, to welcome motorists entering the state via US-12. It was relocated at this site with its more modern building, on April 6, 1972, after the I-94 Freeway was completed.

Clues…

Six white poles to greet you
    As many to your right as left
A clump of stumps 25 ahead
    As 75 degrees you sight.