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Bond Falls - Lower Falls
U.P.
Cruising's Recommended
Upper
Michigan Waterfalls
Some day when I've some time I'm going to lay
out a motorcycle rider's tour guide to Upper Michigan waterfalls. Until
then, this webpage will have to do. If your never experience the
fury of water as it thunders over a rock ledge into foaming white water
then its time. Or how about in the fall, when a now slow moving
river reflects the magnificent colors of an autumn day finally plunges to
the rocks below. There is just something special a good waterfall.
Michigan's Upper
Peninsula has a hundred waterfalls and I've had the good fortune to
see many of them in the spring and fall. For bikers, the good news
is most of Upper Michigan's best waterfalls are within easy walking
distance from the parking area.
Agate Falls - Off M-28 between Bruce Crossing & Trout Creek
The northern route of the Yooper
Cannonball takes you right past Agate Falls. Agate Falls is located 4 miles west of
Trout Creek right off Highway M-28. You'll know you're there
when you see the Joesph
E. Oravek Roadside Park. Pull in, park your bike
and take the walkway under the road bridge to the falls. You can follow the
path to the falls. When I was there I found this path up the side of
a hill to an old railroad bridge
for great look at the river below.
Bond Falls - Off Highways 45 & M-28 east of Paulding.
In my book, this is may be one of Upper
Michigan's waterfalls. As many times as I've seen these
falls, I never get tired of going back. I've seen
way to many riders riding north up Highway 45 towards Copper Harbor ride right past
these falls. Of course maybe they already seen them once. If
not, all they would have had to do was
take a slight detour on Bond Road in Paulding and enjoy a sweet little ride through the woods to
the falls. These are up close and personal falls allowing you to get
close to the water. The water works its way though a set of smaller
falls until you get to the bottom. (See image at top of this page)
And when you're done seeing them, there is this little camp store that
serves up a mean ice cream cone. Oh, don't go back the way you
came either. just continue on
Bond Road and it will wind you back up to Highway 28 where you take a left
on M-28 and drive a short way until you hook back up with Highway 45.
By the way, now you're going to ride right by "Agate Falls" so might as
well stop and check it out too.
Black River Falls - Take
Black River Rd/513 north out of Bessemer
Growing up in Upper Michigan,
how come my daddy never told me about the Black River? There are two
wild rivers I'm familiar with in Upper Michigan. One is the Presque
Isle and the other is the Black. However
it wasn't until a few years ago when I was searching for waterfalls to
photograph that I found an article on the Black River. The Black
River is one of those little know surprises, I keep
finding in my rides around Upper Michigan. I happened to catch the
river just after a spring snow melt and the water was high and rising.
I've never see a river with so much fury making its way to Lake Superior.
Seemed a shame that my wife and I were the only ones there that day to
experience it. Then again, this whole are of the U.P. is as
rustic as it gets and when the water is high, the Black River
Falls are a show entirely unto themselves. Again, park your bike and
a short hike gets you to a boardwalk and overlooks. By the way no
gas station at the other end so top off the tank
Eagle River Falls - Off Highway M-26 in Eagle River, MI.
As you make your run up Highway
M-26 to Copper Harbor, the falls on your right as you cross the bridge
entering into Eagle River. In fact as soon as you reach the north
end of the bridge pull over on your right to park your bike. Last
time I was there, there really wasn't much water so wasn't the best
waterfall I've seen, but heck, if its on the way so you might as well
enjoy it right?
Laughing Whitefish
Falls
These falls have gotten a lot of print space over the years and well I
enjoyed seeing them, I don't think I caught the best day. If you do
go to the falls make sure you walk down the stairs to the bottom because
that's the only place to experience the falls.
Presque Isle River Falls
(Manabezho, Manido, Nawadaha Falls)
Located in the Porcupine Mountains State
Park, there are a series of three waterfalls on the Presque Isle River.
The park is located northwest of Wakefield. To get to the park, take
a Highway M-28 east out of Wakefield until you see a sign for the park.
Turn left on Highway 519/Presque Isle Road and ride it all the way to the
park. I recommend you top off your gas tank in Wakefield.
You can pick up a map at the park that will provide you with everything
you need to know.
MNA Falls - Town of
Munising, MI
It may be the best little unknown waterfall in Upper
Michigan. Located on Nestor Street
just off Highway H-58 in Munising, the only way you know you're there is
this little white sign. The only place to park your bike is next to
the side of the road. From there its a short walk down a small path to
falls. Part of that walk takes you across this little wooden bridge
that transverses this small stream. It only later as you wind your
way down the side of this small canyon that you'll see that little stream
plunge some 30 feet to the ground below. The quiet and solitude of
this little waterfall was almost spiritual when I last visited it.
Hopefully not much has changed. I'm also afraid to tell anyone about
it for fear too many people will be there the next time I go.
Munising Falls - Munising MI.
Munising is one of my favorite U.P. towns.
First it has one of the most spectacular view you find of Lake Superior
anywhere. Second, its home to many great waterfalls. One of
those falls is Munising Falls and like MNA Falls, it's one set of falls
you'll want to make sure you see when you're in the area.
Located on Washington Street across from the hospital, it's pretty easy to
located the
Munising Falls Interpretive Center parking lot. From there its
about a five minute walk to the falls.
Sable Falls - Off Highway
58 near Grand Marais, MI
The last time a Sable Falls the water
was really low so there wasn't much in the way of waterfalls, but it's
such a nice hike down along side the falls, I always enjoy myself there.
Scott Falls - Off
M-28 west of Munising
If you're not paying attention, you'll ride right past this
little waterfall. It's only a 10 foot waterfall, but it's worth
pulling over and walking down to see. There is no parking area here so be
careful. Better yet look for the H.J. Rathfoot
State Roadside Park and pull in there. It's a short walking distance
across the road. On a hot day, one might be tempted to just walk
under the falls. I've seen the biggest the U.P. has to offer, but
for me it's the little waterfalls I enjoy the most.
Spray Falls - Lake Superior - Pictured Rock
You're going to have to take a
boat to see this one. The falls are located in the Picture Rocks
National Lakeshore Park. Since I haven't seen any motorcycles hauling
boats, it pays to know someone in the area with a boat or spend a few
bucks and take the Pictured Rocks Boat Tour out of Munising. Watching the
Spray river plunge 70 off the Pictured Rocks into Lake Superior is some
sight to see.
Tahquamenon Falls - North of Newberry
At over 200 feet across
with a drop of 50 feet, this is the largest waterfall in Michigan.
Located in Tahquamenon Falls State Park, it's within easy walking distance
from the parking lot. As you walk down the path to the falls, you're
going to hear them long before you see them.
Wagner Falls - M-28 & M-94 near Munising
The waterfall is approximately 2 miles south of Munising, Michigan near
the junction of M-28 and M-94. The falls are marked by a sign.
There is a about a 1000 foot walk into the falls, but its a nice hike and
the falls are worth seeing if you're in the area.
It's all about the journey,
Dave Johnson
grayrider@upcruising.com
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