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West Lake Nature Preserve+ LbNA #5644 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:pale puppy posse
Plant date:Sep 13, 2003
Location:
City:Portage or Kalamazoo0
County:Kalamazoo
State:Michigan
Boxes:2
Found by: Thumb's Up!
Last found:Jul 18, 2005
Status:FFFFFaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Last edited:Sep 13, 2003
Placed by Kazoo Dog and Golden Retrievers Triscuit & Dewar and adopted in May 2009 by pale puppy posse.

Very Easy Walking & Very Easy Clues; Wheelchair/Dog Friendly trails

This preserve,located just off S. Westnedge on South Shore Drive, contains a hardwood forest as well as two types of wetland habitats - both marsh and bog - and is a joy to walk just because of the wonderful diversity of plants, trees, wildflowers, animals, etc. There are many easy walking trails that afford visitors opportunity to easily traverse trails to observation decks for better views of the marsh and wetland areas of this preserve.

The preserve is open daily throughout the year from 8:00 a.m. to sunset and has a picnic area and restroom facilities at the parking area. There is no entry fee. Dogs on leash are welcome.

For more information: http://www.wmich.edu/environmental-studies/drew/wlake.htm

Directions:
From US-131S take the Centre Ave. exit to South Westnedge Ave. Turn right onto Westnedge and travel one (1) mile south to South Shore Dr. Turn left onto South Shore. The preserve is on the left side. Those from outside the Kalamazoo/Portage area may wish to get directions from Expedia.com.

Clues:
From the parking lot area, enter at the trail sign that is northwest of the children's play area, following the trail to the first diversion (left is right) that leads to the first of three observation decks. Time permitting, walk out to the first observation deck to learn more about the marsh; otherwise, follow the trail from the entry to #1 deck, heading northeasterly along the Marsh Trail. Take time at #2 deck marker to follow this loop, which will take you back to the Marsh Trail. Whatever you do, follow the Marsh Trail to the Wetland Trail. On the Wetland Trail, near the entry to the Wetland Loop Trail, take the path that goes right 12 paces from the trail sign to a large fallen tree on the right. Behind the fallen tree and at the base of one that still lives a letterbox lies nestled under leaves and sticks. Maybe you'll return to the nearby bench to do your stamping! Whatever, take care in stamping as this is a rather busy preserve!


This box contains clues for a microbox (cylindrical in shape) that is hidden elsewhere in this beautiful preserve.

PLEASE NOTE: The bonus microbox, covered with camoflage tape and almost below ground in a natural crevice at the base of its host tree has frequently been reported as "missing." As of Jan. 4, 2004, this bonus box was still safely in its place (and protected from winter thaws with a freezer bag & some sticks/bark leaning against the tree base, which might make discovery a bit easier) in the preserve as was the primary box.
Note: ****The bonus box was kindly returned to me by a Muggle. I will replace it as soon as I can. PPP 03/2012