Lake Superior Road Trip

I made a quick trip to western Lake Superior last week. The spring leaves should be at their peak color during the next couple of weeks. The first stop was Morgan falls near Mellon, Wisconsin. The Trillium and Marsh Marigolds were out as were the mosquitoes. This was the only place I encountered mosquitoes on the trip. Later in the day I went on to Ironwood and hiked along the Presque Isle River in the afternoon. Trillium and Marsh Marigolds were also out in this area. The second day I drove over to Cornucopia, Wisconsin to visit the Apostle Islands national lakeshore. This was the same place I visited in February to photograph the ice caves. A trail goes along the top of the bluffs for several miles before reaching the caves. The March Marigolds were out. There were also signs of beaver and Pileated Woodpecker activity along the trail. In a couple of weeks the forest floor should be covered with wildflowers. Later in the day I hiked into, my favorite Wisconsin waterfall, Lost Creek Falls. Klemik Road was closed which added a couple of miles on to the hike. The Third day I stopped at Amnicon Falls State park. There is lots of opportunity to shoot waterfalls in a small area. Later in day I moved on to the Minnesota North Shore with stops at Split Rock Light House and Gooseberry Falls State Parks. Normally the Lake Superior Trail is mired in mud this time of year but because of the lack of snow this winter and the dry conditions this spring the trail is in excellent spring condition. This would be a great time to hike the trail. Water levels on both the north and south shores are running below normal. Fortunately, it rained on two of the four days of my trip. The last day of the trip I returned to Split Rock Light House and Gooseberry Falls State Parks.


Morgan Falls - http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/p526726580/
Presque Isle River - http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/p200648237/
Apostle Islands - http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/f267930118/
Lost Creek Falls - http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/p517216252/
Amnicon Falls State park - http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/p110443262/
Gooseberry Falls State Parks - http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/p343919191/
Split Rock Light House - http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/p491082851/
Two Harbors - http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/p462045798/


Philip Schwarz
E2311 530th Ave
Menomonie, WI 54751
e-mail: schwarzp@uwstout.edu
web: http://www.photo.net/photos/philipschwarz
web: http://philipschwarz.zenfolio.com/

Philip,

I've been to all of the places you mentioned, but I've not previously heard of Lost Creek Falls. And, it's not listed in my Wisconsin Gazetteer. Can you provide me w/ more specific directions/location?

Thanks,

Tim!

Take Hwy. 13 west from Cornucopia about a mile and turn south (left) on Klemik Road, a dirt road that is passable without four-wheel drive from mid-May through September depending on local rains. You will drive about a mile on this road. When you look down the road you will see that it goes up a hill and turns to the right. Just before you go up this hill you will see a road come in from the right and a snowmobile trail on your left (this trail may be covered with weeds). This is the trail you want. You will see a locked yellow gate about 50 feet down the snowmobile trail. After about a quarter of a mile an ATV trail will come in from the left. You want to go straight. Within a hundred yards you will cross the first of two bridges. After the second bridge the trail will go up a long hill. At the top of the hill you will find a green gate. About 50 feet before the gate you will likely hear the falls off to the right and see the trail to the falls. The entire hike is about 3 miles round trip. It is well worth the trip.

Phil

Thanks for posting these Philip, I enjoyed looking through all of them. I'll be heading up to along the Minnesota shore the next two weekends here. It should be fun.

Nice shots!

Phil,

Thank you for the response! I can see the roads & trails on my gazetteer, but no marking for the waterfall - 'til now!

Thanks,

Tim!

What a beautiful area, one day I am going to get up there for an extended period and try to take a image or two. Nice work Philip