Mystery at the Falls - Judge Magney State Park

Traveling down Minnesota’s 150 mile scenic North Shore Drive is something everyone should experience at least once.  Today, we are at Judge Magney State Park (Mile 123.8).  When it was established in 1957 it was originally named Brule River State Park.  In 1963, it was renamed the Judge Magney State Park and now contains 4,642 acres … and a mystery.   

Located within the park is the mysterious Devil’s Kettle Falls. It is here where the river splits - half of it drops 50 feet and continues toward Lake Superior and the other half disappears into a huge pothole.  No one knows where this water goes. 

This is something we have to see for ourselves.  We hike the trail (2 miles round trip and includes 255 stairs each way).   

Forest Trail

Stairs

We arrive at the Devil’s Kettle Falls.  I am intrigued by these falls.  Where does that water go?  Over the years, researchers have poured dyes down the giant pothole expecting to see the colored-water emerging into Lake Superior.  So far, no evidence of the dyes has been seen.  

Devil's Kettle Falls

For more information on the Devil’s Kettle Falls, click on the following link:

Mystery of Devil's Kettle Falls

We continue hiking and take a spur trail for a closer look at the Upper Falls.  The breezes shower us with mists from the falls – yup, the falls have mist kissed us.

Upper Falls

For more information on Judge Magney State Park, click on the following link:

Judge Magney State Park