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Michigan
Backcountry Search and Rescue (MiBSAR)
SAR Op No. 13 photo-journal:
Joe Clewley missing-person investigation
By
Michael Neiger
Marquette, Michigan
© Copyright 2008
Duration & date: Agency assisted:
_____________________
Sault Ste. Marie, MichiganTownship & County: Nearest place-name: General location: Tahquamenon Falls State Park in the eastern Upper Peninsula Trail: Victim: Joseph Robert Clewley
White male; age 73; 5'-10"; 150 lbsCase summary: Joe Clewley and his dog Chip went missing on July 13, 2008. His van was found parked at the North Country Trail (NCT) trailhead along the Tahqua Trail in the eastern reaches of Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Joe owned a log cabin in the area and enjoyed hiking off-trail in the park. SAR op mission: MiBSAR team members: Partner SAR teams & assets: SAR op results: Joe Clewley was not located Additional resources: • Learn more about this investigation
• View official, Sheriff's Office-provided Web site for victim
• View MiBSAR-provided Web site and Internet blog for victim
Thursday, October 16
Today was spent reconning the east and west banks of the main branch of Lynch Creek, between the North Country Trail and Headwaters Pond.
An overview of the Joe Clewley search area in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan, southwest of Paradise, in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park. (Graphic by Michael Neiger)
Potential crossing points identified in addition to the beaver dam on the Headwaters Pond included two minor dams located within the first couple hundred meters downstream of the pond itself.
Sunset over Joe's Country from the eastern fringe of the expansive marsh along the upper west branch of Lynch Creek. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
About 8:00 p.m., bivouacked adjacent to the massive marsh along the upper west branch of Lynch Creek, upstream of the North Country Trail, coyotes began howling and barking very close by, first at 290 magnetic degrees on the compass rose. This howling was immediately answered from other coyotes situated at both 170 and 340 magnetic degrees on the compass rose.
Friday, October 17
Sunrise over Joe's Country from the expansive marsh along the upper west branch of Lynch Creek. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
It was very cold--low 20s--last night. With my summer-weight bag and 3-season hiking boots, I was cold at night as well as during the morning.
With principal crossing points identified on the upper section of the main branch of Lynch Creek, today was dedicated to running parallel passes through the bush between these crossing points and the Lynch Creek Grade Trail, an area Joe was known to traverse during the course of his hikes.
A small mammal skull found in the swamp east of the Lynch Creek Grade. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
When the above described area had been searched, I spent the remainder of the day working the perimeter of the expansive marsh situated along the upper west branch of Lynch Creek, upstream of the North Country Trail. During this effort, I identified a corduroy log crossing of the Lynch deep in the swamp north of the open marsh. Originally a logging road, it was now totally overgrown except for a narrow game trail.
Storm clouds over Joe's Country. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
Saturday, October 18
The final day of the search was dedicated to running parallel passes through an area bounded on the north and east by the North Country Trail, and on the west and south by the upper west branch of Lynch Creek. When this area was finished, I made two passes along the west bank of the main branch of Lynch Creek, between its confluence with the upper west branch and the point where the fooltrail opposite the Monty Cabin cuts the main branch of the Lynch.
Winter is coming to Joe's Country: frost blankets the marshes above and below the point where the North Country Trail (NCT) cuts the main branch of Lynch Creek. Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
Mare's tails dot sunny skies over the west branch of Lynch Creek, downstream of the North Country Trail (NCT). Click on photo for high-resolution imagery. (Photo by Michael Neiger)
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In God's wilderness
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—
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Alaska Wilderness, 1890
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Content Copyright © 1984 --
2009-09-16
by Michael A. Neiger
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