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Michigan Sunrise LbNA #2430 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jun 8, 2002
Location:
City:Besser Natural Area, Presque Isle
County:Presque Isle
State:Michigan
Boxes:1
Found by: Lizard lady
Last found:Jun 20, 2010
Status:FFFFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Jun 8, 2002
Placed by: StampinPam
Location: Besser Natural Area
Date Planted: June 8, 2002
Distance: Easy; one mile if entire trail loop is walked
Terrain: Easy
Status: Alive and well, 9/28/2006

The Great Lakes state has literally thousands of miles of coastline. The Lake Huron shore, on the east side of the state, is lined with bustling port cities and quaint small towns, and has a rich history in the maritime and logging industries. The area is often referred to as the "sunrise side" of the state and has many spectacular views. The Michigan's "East Coast" Cruise description at scenicdrivesonline.com provides a nice overview of towns and sights along Lake Huron: http://www.scenicdrivesonline.com/routes/MidWest/MI/MI_1.shtml

The Huron Greenways website contains wonderful descriptions of area geology, ecosystems, and points of interest, supplemented with maps and photos. The website can be accessed through the following address:
http://www.nemcog.org/greenways/greenways1.html

The letterbox is located in the Besser Natural Area, approx. 14 miles north of Alpena. It is a beautiful tract of land that includes Lake Huron shoreline, a virgin stand of white pine, and ruins of a 1880s abandoned logging village. The Besser Natural Area entrance is located on Grand Lake Road (County Highway 405), between the crossroads of County Highway 638 and Route US-23. It is south of the town of Presque Isle. Don't forget to leave some time in your schedule to visit both of the Presque Isle lighthouses.

From Alpena:
Route US-23 north to Grand Lake Road, turn right. A short distance up the road you will come to an intersection where Grand Lake Road jogs to the right (follow the signs directing you toward the Presque Isle lighthouses). Continue to travel Grand Lake Road for approx. 4 miles. The entrance to the Besser Natural Area is on the right, along Besser Bell Trail.

From County Hwy 638:
Travel County Hwy 638 east off of Route US-23. You'll be heading in the direction of Lake Huron. When the road splits a few miles ahead, follow the curve to the left and continue along Hwy 638 until it ends at Grand Lake Road. Turn right (south) onto Grand Lake Road into the town of Presque Isle. You will continue south on Grand Lake Road, through the town, and further south for a total of approx. 8 miles. The entrance to the Besser Natural Area is on the left, along Besser Bell Trail.

Clues:
Turn onto Besser Bell Trail into the Natural Area. Drive 0.4 miles along the main gravel trail until it dead ends. You can park here. (Just off to the right, you will notice a road spur for the Besser Bell community building; this will most likely be gated off to traffic). To locate the trailhead of the 1-mile footpath, head off to the northeast at 65 degrees. (you will be going across the gravel road off to the left, in the opposite direction from the community building). You will see the trailhead map kiosk just ahead, between the fence posts.

The trail is a one-mile loop. There are two ways to approach the box. If you wish to enjoy the scenery and landmarks, follow the clues for the scenic route. This will take you along the entire loop, and attempt to keep you on course in areas where small trail spurs join the main trail. If you want to locate the box, get back and don't mind missing the landmarks, take the quick route.

Scenic Route:
At the trailhead kiosk, head along the trail off to the left. You will soon see a small spur coming in from the left (at 245d). Ignore this and continue along the main trail, straight ahead.

At 132 paces, note the large downed log off to the left (at 340d) with three fairly large "craters".

Another 15p, and a large boulder lies at 350d. This marker commemorates Jesse Besser's gift to the State of Michigan - this beautiful natural area with a stand of virgin pine forest and extensive Lake Huron shoreline.

Additional 150p, look off to the right (170d). Go to visit the chimney that was restored from remains of the village of Bell. After your visit, retrace your steps back to the main path and continue on.

Just ahead is a trail island that will fork in a small clearing. Keep to the right (95d). Another quick fork back into your trail; just keep to the right.

You will soon re-enter the tree cover, and then some partial open areas. Occasionally peek off to the left as you traverse this area. You might catch a glimpse of the water!
As you re-enter heavier tree cover, off to the right you'll see what appears to be the remains of an old wood structure of some sort.
Keep walking forward into another small clearing and back into the woods again. (I planted this box in early June, and was delighted to experience the beautiful sights and smells of the large patch of lily-of-the-valley flowers in bloom!)

You'll quickly come upon a small trail entering from the left (5d) with a small downed pine across the path. This short jog leads to the lake, if you're interested. But you're so close to the prize, and you'll have plenty more opportunities ahead to visit the shoreline. Just 30p ahead on the main trail, along the left side of the trail, stands a large pine with a downed tree and brush debris beneath it. You're so close!

Standing in the path in front of this tree, look out 25d towards the water to see the large, downed, moss-covered tree just 16p ahead. Follow the course of this downed tree away from the water, where another good-size fallen tree lies across the top of it. The box can be found here, beneath the moss-covered log.

After you visit the box, continue further along the main trail (by the way, if you haven't yet found the box, and you get to a downed tree with a huge uprooted mass on the lake side of the trail, you've gone too far! See the clues for the quick route - they will lead you back to the box from this point.). The lake will be off to your left. You're almost back to the trailhead. You'll have plenty of small trail spurs off the main trail that lead down to the lagoon and lakeshore. The main trail will get you back to the trailhead and parking area. Enjoy the views!

Quick Route:
At the trailhead kiosk, take the trail off to the right and head into the woods. You will soon come to a trail spur on the right (80d) that leads to the lake; just continue forward on the main trail. You'll encounter another smaller trail off toward the lake, then one more small trail that points nearly true north off into a small clearing. But, the main trail is the one that will take you to the box.

Continue up the slight incline, then down again, 70p to a short spur on the right that gives a nice overview of the lagoon. If you have time, make a quick trip down this spur for the scenery, then return to the main trail.

At 36p, a small path leads off to the left (310d). Continue on the main path.

Another 75p brings to you another overview of the lagoon off to the left, if you're interested. If not, keep heading forward on the main trail.

At 83p, note the lone, tall decaying tree remains on your right as you pass.

Additional 65p leads to downed tree remains with a huge, uplifted root mass, off to the right side of the trail. Not much farther to go!

62p more, and you'll arrive at a pine on the right edge of the trail. This pine has a downed tree and brush debris beneath it. You're so close!

Standing in the path in front of this tree, look out 25d towards the water to see the large, downed, moss-covered tree just 16p ahead. Follow the course of this downed tree away from the water, where another good-size fallen tree lies across the top of it. The box can be found here, beneath the moss-covered log.

After you visit the box, re-trace your course along the main trail to return to the trailhead kiosk and the parking area.

The Presque Isle lighthouses are wonderful! I hope you have time to visit them (and the box placed at the New Presque Isle Lighthouse). Turn right (north) onto Grand Lake Road from the park entrance. The lighthouses are a mile from each other, on Grand Lake Road, a short drive north of County Hwy. 638 intersection (just beyond the marina).