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

Canal Park in Duluth, Minnesota

The North Shore Drive (aka Highway 61) is a 150 mile scenic drive beginning in Duluth and ending in Grand Portage, Minnesota.  We have printed a mile-by-mile guide off the Internet and are ready to see the sights and sounds of this Superior scenery. 

So, here we are in Duluth.  Mile 00.0 is Canal Park.  We take exit 256b and park in a lot near Canal Park ($1.50 for 2 hour parking) .  The iconic Aerial Lift Bridge was originally built in 1905 and upgraded in 1929–30 to the current lifting design and continues to operate today (25-30 times a day).  It has a span of about 390 feet crossing over the Duluth Ship Canal.  The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.  

Aerial Lift Bridge

For those of us who love to see lighthouses this Park has three of them.  The South Breakwater Inner Light is a black metal frame tower next to the Aerial Lift Bridge.

South Breakwater Inner Light

There is a harbor light at the end of each pier.   The Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Outer Light is a two story white brick building with a red roof and the Duluth Harbor North Pier Light is a round white and black tower. 

Duluth Harbor North and South Pier Lights

We spend about two hours here walking along the pier, watching the boats, and yes, we heard the bells clang and watched the lift bridge go up and down during our visit.  Despite the many things to see and do here, we are anxious to begin our 150 mile scenic drive.

For information on Canal Park and the North Shore Drive, click on the following link:

Canal Park in Duluth

To view a detailed Mile-By-Mile Guide of the North Shore Road (PDF), click on the following link:

North Shore Mile By Mile Guide

Grand Portage State Park - High Falls

Located one-half mile from the US/Canadian border is Grand Portage State Park.  This park has Minnesota’s highest waterfall aptly named High Falls (estimated to be 120 feet high).

We walk a half mile paved trail thru a mixed hardwood forest.  At first, we can not see the river but we can hear the sounds of rushing water.

Trail to High Falls

We walk up the 30+/- steps to an overlook of the falls.  It may not be raining but the mist from the falls dampens everything (and everyone) in the area.  I think it is nature’s way of welcoming us – we are kissed by the mist.  There are a couple of viewing platforms along the wooden stairway that parallels the river offering slightly different views of the falls.  

High Falls

Pigeon River

We begin our walk back to the parking lot straying from the main trail onto a spur trail that leads to the river's edge.  A series of ferocious looking rapids continues down this stretch too.

Rapids on the Pigeon River

We return to the car having spent almost two hours here.  You could do this trail quicker but we take our time and enjoy nature.

For information on Grand Portage State Park, click on the following link:

Grand Portage State Park

To view a detailed Mile-By-Mile Guide of the North Shore Road (PDF), click on the following link:

North Shore Mile by Mile Guide

Nearby food and lodging in this ares (Minnesota) is limited to the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino. The Lodge was remodeling (half the rooms were not available) when we were there (May 2015).  We did not have a reservation but we did get their last room.  So, I would recommend making a reservation if you plan to stay here.  Once you leave the Indian Reservation, there will be local restaurants and places to stay the night farther down Highway 61 South.

Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center, Minnesota

One of the things we did while exploring Minnesota’s scenic North Shore was to stop at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center (Mile 73.3). It was founded in 1993 to protect and restore Sugarloaf Cove.  We cross the metal footbridge to the Nature Center.  It is after hours and the building is closed.  But we have been here before so we know about the one mile Interpretive Nature Trail.

 Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center

We hike the trail in reverse and stroll along the cascading Temperance River.

Temperance River

We arrive at my favorite section of the trail (Sugarloaf Point) at just the right time of day. The late afternoon sun is casting a warm glow on the scenery and the Lake Superior waves are gently lapping the rocky shoreline in this u-shaped cove.

 Sugarloaf Point

The trail continues through quiet forests …Do you hear birds singing? A squirrel rustling in the leaves?   This is a nice interpretive trail – take the time to enjoy it.  

Interpretive Trail

We finish hiking the trail just after sunset.  It is getting late and we need to find a place to eat and a place to stay for the night.  At the Bluefin Grille (Tofte, MN), we have dinner (burgers and fries - water to drink for $31 + tip).  The wall of windows offers a great view but it gets dark before we can enjoy it too much.  It is still a nice place to relax.  We get a room ($79 + tax) at the AmericInn (Tofte, MN).

For information on the Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center, click on the following link:

Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center

Gooseberry Falls State Park - Minnesota's North Shore

If you are driving Minnesota’s scenic North Shore, a stop at Gooseberry Falls State Park should be on your list of “must see” things.  The park officially opened in 1937 and features a rocky Lake Superior shoreline, five waterfalls, Gooseberry River and gorge, Agate Beach and the ancient lava flow known as the Picnic Flow.

    Middle Falls

    Middle & Lower Falls

There is not an entrance fee for this part of the Gooseberry Falls State Park and the Visitor Center/Gift Shop is a good place to start your visit (it has restrooms!). 

We spent two hours hiking the trails and photographing the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls (a total drop of over 100 feet).  The Falls View Trail is a nice loop trail with a couple of pedestrian bridges crossing the Gooseberry River.  

    Falls View Trail

The bridges offer good views of the waterfalls. 

    Pedestrian bridge over the Gooseberry River

The trail splits – one direction goes up these stairs but the Falls View Trail continues along the river.

Take a few minutes to sit, relax, and enjoy the view – even this chipmunk is taking a break.   Please remember do not feed the animals - no matter how cute and tempting it may be to do it!  

The Falls View Trail continues along the river offering a different view of the waterfalls.  Near the end of the trail is a ped-way that goes under the road bridge.  From here, you get a nice view of the Upper Falls. 

    Ped-Way Bridge under Hwy 61

    Upper Falls

Gooseberry Falls State Park has a picnic area, campground, and lots of trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. 

For information on Gooseberry Falls State Park, click on the following link:

Gooseberry Falls SP

For information on the North Shore Mile-By-Mile Guide (PDF), click on the following link

MN North Shore Mile By Mile Guide