Moose Lift LbNA #16517
Map
Nearby Boxes
Add Note
Add Location| Owner: | Wisconsin Hiker  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Jul 4, 2005 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Champion |
| County: | Marquette |
| State: | Michigan |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | Gingaroo |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Sep 22, 2009 |
| Status: | FFFFFFaa |
| Last edited: | May 15, 2016 |
Last found/checked: 4-JUL-05
Location: state park west of Champion
Time: 60-90 minutes
Terrain: trail through woods with some steepish hills
Note: You will need a vehicle sticker to park in this area. 2005 fees are: Daily: $6/$8 for non-resident or Annual: $24/$29.
In the winter of 1985, Bruce the Moose was on the loose in Canada, living the good moose life. It was a brutally cold winter in the Algonquin Provincial Park, but heck – he was used to it! However one momentous day things changed. Bruce spotted a wildlife biologist bundled up and heading towards him. The next thing he felt was a sharp pang – a dart with juice was in the moose! He was feeling loose in a new way and then he felt what seemed like a noose. He passed out ….
Later, still somewhat groggy, he opened his eyes and couldn’t believe what he saw. He thought he had become a goose instead of a moose since he now had a birds-eye view of the lakes and forests! It turns out the noose was actually a sling and he was being air-lifted by a helicopter.
Eventually he arrived at a base camp and was subjected to thorough medical testing (another goose?) and was fitted with a sophisticated radio collar, before being lifted into a shipping crate and placed onto a transport truck for the non-stop 600-mile overnight journey to Michigan. He now felt like he was in a rattling caboose – what was this ruse?
It turns out it was something called "moose lift” - a project that relocated 29 moose to become new U.S. citizens. Two years later another 30 moose were transported to this area. In 2005, 20 years later, moose are alive and well, and rambling about in the wilds of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula once more. The herd now contains approximately 750 moose!
If you want to follow along on one of Bruce’s early rambles, take US-41 / M-28 west from Champion. You’ll pass the main park entrance to the south and then continue a short way until you reach a gravel road to the north, just before the highway crosses the Peshekee River. Drive past a rustic cabin and continue until you reach a circle at the end of the road. Park and then locate the entrance to the river trail to the west. On the trail take the left fork and follow the trail along the river, past a bench and enjoy the soft pine needle path. Eventually you’ll reach a T. At this point head along the wagon trail towards the overlook. Along the way you may hear frogs strumming and if you’re REALLY lucky, a moose somewhere along the way! Cross some boardwalks and continue on ahead until you reach a sign at the overlook loop. Two choices, but yours should be to the right - up, up, up! Rest on a bench, then up some more… You’ll pass a few spur trails to the right that you can explore to enjoy the overlook views, but then return back to the main trail. Eventually you’ll come to a rocky outcropping with a 12’-15’ dead tree on the edge of the trail. From the dead tree, take approximately 40 paces along the trail until you reach a log on the left side and a small log on the right. At 150 degrees there should be a rock pile. What you seek is under a small rock, below a rock “bridge”. Please replace carefully!
To return, continue along the loop trail. You’ll go up a few stairs and walk along the river. When you reach the loop map, head down and left to return to the wagon trail. On this trail you’ll retrace your steps across the boardwalk but don’t turn at the first intersection for the River Trail. Instead continue on the wagon road, pass a bench and then at the next fork take the river trail to return to your vehicle.
We hope you enjoyed your hunt and since we don’t live in the area we would really appreciate an update on the status of the box if you find it. We won’t be able to check on it very often…
Hike length: 2-3 miles
Location: state park west of Champion
Time: 60-90 minutes
Terrain: trail through woods with some steepish hills
Note: You will need a vehicle sticker to park in this area. 2005 fees are: Daily: $6/$8 for non-resident or Annual: $24/$29.
In the winter of 1985, Bruce the Moose was on the loose in Canada, living the good moose life. It was a brutally cold winter in the Algonquin Provincial Park, but heck – he was used to it! However one momentous day things changed. Bruce spotted a wildlife biologist bundled up and heading towards him. The next thing he felt was a sharp pang – a dart with juice was in the moose! He was feeling loose in a new way and then he felt what seemed like a noose. He passed out ….
Later, still somewhat groggy, he opened his eyes and couldn’t believe what he saw. He thought he had become a goose instead of a moose since he now had a birds-eye view of the lakes and forests! It turns out the noose was actually a sling and he was being air-lifted by a helicopter.
Eventually he arrived at a base camp and was subjected to thorough medical testing (another goose?) and was fitted with a sophisticated radio collar, before being lifted into a shipping crate and placed onto a transport truck for the non-stop 600-mile overnight journey to Michigan. He now felt like he was in a rattling caboose – what was this ruse?
It turns out it was something called "moose lift” - a project that relocated 29 moose to become new U.S. citizens. Two years later another 30 moose were transported to this area. In 2005, 20 years later, moose are alive and well, and rambling about in the wilds of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula once more. The herd now contains approximately 750 moose!
If you want to follow along on one of Bruce’s early rambles, take US-41 / M-28 west from Champion. You’ll pass the main park entrance to the south and then continue a short way until you reach a gravel road to the north, just before the highway crosses the Peshekee River. Drive past a rustic cabin and continue until you reach a circle at the end of the road. Park and then locate the entrance to the river trail to the west. On the trail take the left fork and follow the trail along the river, past a bench and enjoy the soft pine needle path. Eventually you’ll reach a T. At this point head along the wagon trail towards the overlook. Along the way you may hear frogs strumming and if you’re REALLY lucky, a moose somewhere along the way! Cross some boardwalks and continue on ahead until you reach a sign at the overlook loop. Two choices, but yours should be to the right - up, up, up! Rest on a bench, then up some more… You’ll pass a few spur trails to the right that you can explore to enjoy the overlook views, but then return back to the main trail. Eventually you’ll come to a rocky outcropping with a 12’-15’ dead tree on the edge of the trail. From the dead tree, take approximately 40 paces along the trail until you reach a log on the left side and a small log on the right. At 150 degrees there should be a rock pile. What you seek is under a small rock, below a rock “bridge”. Please replace carefully!
To return, continue along the loop trail. You’ll go up a few stairs and walk along the river. When you reach the loop map, head down and left to return to the wagon trail. On this trail you’ll retrace your steps across the boardwalk but don’t turn at the first intersection for the River Trail. Instead continue on the wagon road, pass a bench and then at the next fork take the river trail to return to your vehicle.
We hope you enjoyed your hunt and since we don’t live in the area we would really appreciate an update on the status of the box if you find it. We won’t be able to check on it very often…
Hike length: 2-3 miles