The other day we hiked to Rainbow Falls within the Black River Rec Area so we decided to go back yesterday and see the other 4 waterfalls. There are over 120 waterfalls in the Yooper, this area has 5 within a 20 minute drive from where we are camping.
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| We hiked to Rainbow Falls the other day, this time came south to visit each one. |
Typically people start at Great Conglomerate, then to Potawatomi, then Gorge, then Sandstone, and ending up at Rainbow Falls but we did it the opposite. Good thing - lots of people working their way in the direction we should have gone but since we did it opposite, the crowds thinned out by the time we got to the last falls.
Started out at Sandstone. This waterfall was noted by the Forest Service Ranger that it was her favorite because of the sandstone formations and she can get right by the waterfalls and sit and reflect. We could see why - it was a very distinct area with lots of formations from the water flowing through the rock. We were blown away again by the tannin color of the water. Not sure I would want to swim in it but people were.
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| 1/4 mile? Piece of cake - or so we thought. |
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| Rut-roh, we are in for it. |
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| We start down - only we have to come back up. Stair-stepping. |
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| And we are almost at the falls, phew. |
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| Blueberries, watching for bears. |
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| Looks like a big rock turtle, sandstone formation from flow of water |
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| Pretty, we could see why she liked this one |
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| Forest covered in Christmas Ferns |
Lots of steps down to Sandstone - should have been a forewarning of the other waterfalls to see. We remarked by the time we got to the last waterfall that the day was an aerobic/stair stepping day. We should feel it tomorrow (today - and yes, our knees and legs are killing us). Good exercise, sweated profusely, but we did it.
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| On to Gorge and Potawatomi Falls |
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| This area is also part of the North Country Trail which goes for many miles |
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| More steps |
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| Gorge Falls |
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| Very tannin water |
Back in the car, drove to the next waterfall, about a mile south. Parked between the two waterfalls - Gorge and Potawatomi. Distance to each was not far (less that 1/4 miles) but the steps - oh my goodness.
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| Down we go to Potawatomi Falls |
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| Phew - stairs, going down is a killer of knees, going up not so bad |
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Could see Potawatomi Falls up stream - let's see if there is another
observation area |
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| Part of the North Country Trail system, found the viewing for the falls |
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| Pretty, water level low - Potawatomi Falls |
On to the last waterfall - Great Conglomerate. And that's when we found out what the dirty cement looking rocks at the waterfalls were all about. Part of the volcanic uplift from millions of years ago.
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| And number 5 - Great Conglomerate Falls |
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| This is not bad - pretty flat. Oh - just wait. |
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| We were pretty pooped by this last waterfall, but we pushed on. |
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| Falls were so wide, could not capture it in one shot |
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| Not snakes - tree roots |
My favorite waterfall? I guess it was Sandstone only because we could get right up close to it and it was definitely unique. Stopped on way back to take pictures of Copper Peak Ski Jump - only one in Western Hemisphere. They ski fly here. I don't think so.
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| What is that?? Oh, the ski flying thingy. |
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| Can ride up the ski lift to see panoramic views, people on the lift |
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| That's crazy! |
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