MSPCGT:Waterloo RA Mystery Cache

Michigan State Parks Centennial GeoTour (GT93)

UPDATE: 3/1/2024:

2019 was the 100^th 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.

Construction in campground area will not impact access to this geocache.

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 mystery cache that is not hidden at the posted coordinates. To determine the location of the final, study the material below and answer the six questions. While hiking around the area, please be on the lookout for invasive species.

A. Phragmites (Common Reed), Phragmites australis:

Phragmites, also known as common reeds are a warm-season perennial grass with a rigid, hollow stem. They range from 6-13 feet in height. The leaves are flat, smooth, and green to grayish green. Flowers grow as dense, branched clusters on the end of each stem that are open and feathery at maturity. Phragmites are often found in ditches, swales, wetlands and on stream and pond banks. Phragmites australis is native to North America and commonly found around the world. One strain of this species is thought to be exotic or hybrid and is quickly replacing the native strain in many areas. Phragmites can be difficult to walk through (for humans and wildlife) and often obstructs landowner views because of its ability to grow in tall, dense patches. The exotic strain can reduce native fish and wildlife populations, block out native salt marsh vegetation, and can be a fire danger for nearby residents. For more information, refer to Common Reed

Question A: Are Phragmites commonly found near water? Yes = 9, No = 2

B. Purple Loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria:

Purple Loosestrife is a perennial herb with a woody, square stem covered in downy hair. They vary in height from 4 to 10 feet. Leaves are arranged in pairs or whorls. The Magenta flower spikes with 5-7 petals per flower are present for most of the summer. Purple loosestrife thrives along roadsides and in wetlands. While seeds can germinate in water, establishment is much more successful in moist substrate that is not flooded. It prefers full sun, but can tolerate shade. The native range of purlpe loosestrife is Eurppe and Asia. In the United States, it has been introduced to every state except Florida. The biggest concern is given the right conditions, purple loosestrife can rapidly establish and replace native vegetation. This can lead to a reduction in plant diversity, which reduces habitat value to wildlife. Other Common Names: Purple lythrum, rainbow weed, salicaria, spiked loosestrife. For more information, refer to Purple Loostrife.

Question B: Purple Loosestrife has what shape stem? Triangle = 3, Square = 8

C. Autumn Olive, Elaeagnus umbellata:

Autumn Olive is a deciduous shrub that can grow to 20 feet high. The leaves are bright green on top and distinctively silver underneath. Spring-blooming cream or yellow flowers have a strong fragrance. Flowers arranged in spikes near the end of the stem are small, numerous, and creamy white in color. It has abundant red berries are lightly speckled and easily seen in the fall. Autumn olive is moderately shade tolerant and occurs on a variety of soil types. It spreads rapidly in old fields and is also found in open woods, along forest edges, roadsides, sand dunes, and other disturbed areas. It poses a particular threat to prairies, savannas and open woods. The native range of autumn olive is Asia. The plant has become widespread throughout Michigan and the Eastern United States. Smaller populations exist in Washington and Oregon. Historically planted for wildlife food and habitat, autumn olive has been found to be highly aggressive, with seeds widely dispersed by birds and mammals. Autumn olive can shade out desirable native plants and fixes nitrogen in the soil, which can degrade native plant communities that thrive on low-nutrient soils. It is difficult to control, as cut stumps and roots will re-sprout. For more information, refer to Autumn Olive.

Question C: Where is Autumn Olive native to? Asia = 8, Africa = 1

D. Glossy Buckthorn, Rhamnus frangula or Frangula alnus, Elaeagnus umbellata:

Glossy Buckthorn is a small tree or shrub that can reach 18 feet tall. The leaves are simple, alternate, shiny, and untoothed. Flowers are tiny, contain 5 greenish-white petals, and are clustered at the base of leaves and bloom late May-September. The plant does not have thorns. Pea-sized fruits ripen from green to red to dark purple in June-September. The inner bark is a distinctive orange. While glossy buckthorn can tolerate shade, it prefers sunlight in moist soils. Often found in wetlands like prairie fens, as well as along fence rows, roadsides, open woods, and in pastures. The native range is Europe and Asia. In the US, the plant can be found from the Northeast through the Midwest. Glossy Buckthorn is an invasive shrub and is a threat to native plants in prairie fens and other ecologically important wetland communities. It is a host for alfalfa mosaic virus and crown fungus, and may be a possible host for the soybean aphid. For more information, refer to Glossy Buckthorn.

Question D: What color is the inner bark of Glossy Buckthorn? Orange = 4, Green = 5

E. Japanese Barberry, Berberis thunbergii:

Japanese barberry is a spiny, deciduous shrub usually 1-2 feet, but can grow up to 6 feet. It has small, oval-shaped green leaves with smooth edges turn that red in autumn, and brown to reddish stems with thorns at each node. Flowers are small, pale yellow with six petals that hang from stems, blooming in spring. Fruits are small, bright red, egg-shaped berries that persist into winter. Similar to the native American barberry, which has toothed leaves. Japanese barberry tolerates a wide range of soils and moisture conditions and can thrive in sun or shade. It is often found in forests, pastures and old fields and along woodland edges, roadsides and disturbed areas. The plant is native to Japan. It is prevalent in the United States in the Northwest, Midwest, and south to Georgia. Japanese barberry is a common ornamental plant with seeds that are dispersed by birds and wildlife. Plants are not browsed by livestock or wildlife due to thorns, giving it a competitive advantage over native plants. Shrubs form dense stands that displace native species. Japanese barberry can raise pH levels in soil. For more information, refer to Japanese Barberry.

Question E: How many petals are there per flower on Japanese Barberry? Eight = 9, Six = 0

F. Garlic Mustard, Alliaria petiolata:

Garlic Mustard is an herbaceous, flowering plant that smells like garlic when crushed. It has heart-shaped basal rosettes (leaves) that appear in year one at ground level. In the second year, stems shoot up (1-4 feet) and develop flowers and seeds, and then the leaves become more toothed and triangular in shape. Clusters of tiny, white, 4-petaled flowers bloom in early spring. Green seed pods that are long and narrow and look like stems develop and turn brown in autumn. Garlic mustard thrives in wooded areas and can tolerate deep shade, partly because it emerges and blooms before trees develop leaves in spring. It is native to Europe. Distribution in the United States runs from the Northeast to the Midwest and Northwest. This invasive plant spreads quickly through woodlots, out-competing under story plants including tree seedlings. Tiny seeds can be transported or blown around by vehicles. Garlic mustard produces allelopathic compounds that can limit seed germination in other species. For more information, refer to Garlic Mustard.

Question F: What does Garlic Mustard smell like when crushed? Garlic = 8, Mustard = 1

The cache can be found at N 42° 19.ABC W 084° 06.DEF.

The checusum (A+B+C+D+E+F)= 37.

Parking is also available at the Cache site. You are looking for a Regular size container. Please return everything as good or better than you found it.

Thank you Strong Rogues for creating, hiding and maintaining this MSPC GeoTour cache.

^{Photo by Scott J. Mitchell © 2019, used with permission}
Waterloo Recreation Area Headquarters

Waterloo Recreation Area:

Waterloo Recreation Area is the largest state park in the Lower Peninsula. The 20,000-acre park is home to campgrounds, swimming beaches, trails, picnic sites, the Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center and more. The park is best known for its premiere mountain biking trails, equestrian opportunities and the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, which offers backpacking options. In addition, there are excellent fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities.

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^{Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources}
Eddy Discovery Center

The Eddy Discovery Center:

The Eddy Discovery Center introduces visitors to the fascinating world of geology and to the diverse natural habitats that are found today within the Rec Area. Waterloo Recreation Area has miles of trails offering hikers of all ages and abilities the chance to explore the diverse geology and habitats from forest wetlands to mature oak-hickory forests. The exhibit hall inside the center explores Michigan′s geology and diverse habitats through the years from the Ice Age through European settlement to today.

The Discovery Center area includes plenty of hiking trails. Visit the Eddy Discovery Center DNR website.

^{Potawatomi Mountain Bike Association, used with permission}
DTE Energy Trail at Waterloo Recreation Area

Activities:

The DTE Energy Foundation Trail is a cutting-edge, sustainable trail open to mountain bikers, trail runners, hikers and cross-country skiers. Two of the four loops have been completed and are open for riders. The loops cover varying terrain and experience levels. Visit the trail website at DTE Energy Trail.

The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail is a 33.9-mile, point-to-point trail that begins in the Waterloo State Recreation Area and ends in the Pinckney Recreation Area. The trail passes through Park Lyndon County Park, as well as kettle lakes, swamps, open meadows and eskers. Parts of the trail are open for mountain biking and horseback riding, while the entirety of the trail can be travelled on foot. Camping along the trail is also allowed on the trail, as completing the entire trail could take a number of days.

Other Outdoor Recreation Opportunities include camping at multiple sites, both modern and rustic. The park also has a winding network of Equestrian trails. Portions of the park are open to hunting and many lakes have boat launches and are open to fishing. At the Portage Lake unit off Seymour Road there is a 18 hole Disc Golf course as well.

^{Map courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources}

Information:

For more information, reservations and a calendar of events, follow this link to Waterloo Recreation Area.

Special thanks to CITOcacher for help with this geocache.

Special thanks to beenhere, LynnGeoGin and HNY Event Staff for the Southeast regional prize.

Resources:

• State Parks Centennial GeoTour - Download the Ticket to Celebrate 100
• Michigan.gov/StateParks100
• Michigan DNR Recreation Passport
• When were Michigan state parks and recreation areas established?
• Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO)