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Dunbar Series: Boat Launch and Township Park LbNA #50055

Owner:Swimming Butterfly
Plant date:Aug 29, 2009
Location:
City:Barbeau
County:Chippewa
State:Michigan
Boxes:1
Found by: Swimming Butterfly
Last found:Jul 17, 2016
Status:FFFFaO
Last edited:Jul 18, 2016
Dunbar Series: Boat Launch and Township Park

Replaced 7/17/2016

History

This parcel of land is on semi-permanent lease to the township from the University of Michigan. It is a well known location for fishing, either from one of the numerous benches and picnic areas or from your boat. Be sure to bring your fishing pole when you come to hunt for this letterbox.

This area was home to “hidden beach”, one of my favorite swimming locations as a child. Currently with the change in water levels, there is no beach hear, though I expect there to be one again from time to time.


Getting There:

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 past the stop sign(you will reach it in about 1.2 miles). Go to the loop at the end of the road and park (about another tenth of a mile).

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 right onto Scenic Drive (from Scenic Drive!). Go to the loop at the end of the road and park.

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 right at the four way intersection of Scenic Drive and Scenic Drive, immediately once you have crossed the bridge. Go to the loop at the end of the road and park.


Clues:

This letterbox will take you 10-15 minutes. However, bring your fishing pole and/or a picnic if you have more time.


Park in the parking lot at the end of the drive (“the point”).

• Starting at the southwest corner of the pavilion. Starting with your back against the pole go forward 46 steps.
• Then go another 20 steps to the boat launch.
• Turn 90 degrees and sit at the bench.
• After relaxing, head to the geometric island.
• From the western most point of the island, go 80 steps to a good fishing spot. You can sit and relax at the bench or picnic table before moving on.
• Continue on up the road a few paces until you reach a large nine trunked American Basswood Tree on the right. I am in the heart of the giant. Hint: If you hit the next picnic table you went way too far.


Note that I am experimenting with a new media and this stamp is handmade though not carved. This stamp is different from the others that I have placed in the Dunbar Series *The replaced stamp is hand carved.


Hike length: 0.1 miles