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Dunbar Series: Deer LbNA #49728

Owner:Swimming Butterfly
Plant date:Aug 11, 2009
Location:
City:Barbeau
County:Chippewa
State:Michigan
Boxes:1
Found by: Swimming Butterfly
Last found:Aug 6, 2016
Status:FFO
Last edited:Aug 6, 2016
Dunbar Series: Deer
History
We actually say a doe and fawn while placing this box! I have placed the box at Dunbar Forest Experiment Station, which is a 5,700-acre tract near Sault St. Marie owned by Michigan State University. The public may hike on this land, but may not camp or use a motorized vehicle. The land is often used by hunters in the fall, so be sure to wear orange during this season. Mosquito repellant is also useful. This land has been part of the university since 1925. Although this location has a Sault Ste. Marie, MI mailing address it is located closer to Barbeau, MI.
You can find out more about Dunbar Forest Station at http://www.maes.msu.edu/dunbar/index.htm.

Directions

To get to this location from Sault Ste. Marie first take I-75, Mackinac Trail, Shunk, M-129, or Riverside Drive (depending on your location) south to 9 Mile Road. Follow 9 Mile road (left) to Riverside Drive and turn right onto Riverside Drive. There is a stop sign and a small corner store (Kik’s) at this corner (9 Mile and Riverside Drive). Continue on Riverside Drive until you reach 12 Mile. There are three houses at this intersection and it is just past the bottom of the hill. Take a left on 12 Mile (for ~1 mile) heading in the direction of the water (trees). If you go past a township hall and Bruce Township School, turn around, you went right, not left! Twelve Mile Road ends in a T after a mile or so. At the T, turn right onto Nicolet for about a tenth of a mile feet. Next turn left onto E 12 Mile Road. Go over the bridge and continue strait until Scenic Drive appears on your right (exactly 2 miles after you turned onto 12 Mile for the first time). If you hit the water, you have gone too far. Proceed down Scenic Drive and on park at the second gated tail head. This trailhead is located about 1 mile down Scenic Drive and is located just before the two homes on the property.

From the south take I-75 north to the Gains Highway Exit, past Kinross. Turn right and follow Gains Highway until it ends at Tone Road. Turn left onto Tone Rode and follow it until you come to a stop sign (there is a gas station here and a park and ride across the road). Turn left onto M-129. After about 3 miles turn right onto 15 Mile Road (a paved road- if you turn the wrong way you will be on a dirt road). Follow 15 Mile past the stop sign where it intersects Riverside Drive (the post office is here) and continue on until you reach the stop sign at Scenic Drive. Note if you continue on you will drive into the river, hence, you are unlikely to miss this turn. You may however, find this a good place to stop for lunch or dinner. From 15 mile Road make a left onto Scenic Drive. You will drive strait passing 13 Mile, after which the road becomes dirt. Within a few hundred yards of passing 13 Mile Road you will cross the Charlotte River. At this point you will make a left onto Scenic Drive (from Scenic Drive!). You will pass two houses and continue 0.1-0.2 miles, upon which point you shall find a gated trailhead on the right side of the road.

To get to this location from Barbeau, follow Scenic Drive north towards the Dunbar Boat Launch (between 12 and 13 mile). Cross the Charlotte River (brown) and turn left at the four way intersection of Scenic Drive and Scenic Drive, immediately once you have crossed the bridge. At this point you will make a left onto Scenic Drive (from Scenic Drive!). You will pass two houses and continue 0.1-0.2 miles, upon which point you shall find a gated trailhead on the right side of the road.

This hike should take 30-45 minutes. Be sure to bring mosquito repellant and remember to wear orange in the fall. The trails are maintained once a year and are typically mowed in early August.

Clues
1. Follow the trail strait.
2. Go past the first trail to the right and continue strait past the opening and though the tall pines.
3. Take the second trail to the right. It is just past a trail to the left and before the end of the tall pines. From this point you can see the tall pines.
4. Continue strait until you reach a trail heading right. At this point you are headed towards the Saint Maries River, though you can’t see it unless you continue to the end of the trail.
5. Take the trail to the right, it is just before a trail to the left. If you continue strait you will eventually reach the river.
6. Continue strait until you can see the light at the end of the trail.
7. You will pass an old house on your left.
8. Turn towards the building.
9. Go about 9 paces and turn right. You will see a medium boulder, just off of the trail.
10. I am hiding behind the rock, covered by vegetation.
11. After you have found the letterbox and explored, return to the trail.
12. Turn left and go about 30 paces, until you reach the trail on your right.
13. Follow this trail for about a minute, until it ends in a T.
14. Turn right, away from the light, and follow this trail until it ends in a T near the tall pines.
15. Take a left and follow the trail back to your vehicle or the road.


Hike length: 1-2 miles