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

Temperance River State Park - Minnesota

Continuing on our scenic journey on Highway 61, we arrive at Temperance River State Park (Mile 80.5).  This 9,346 acre park contains lakes, waterfalls, a beach on Lake Superior, and lots of hiking trails. 

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

They Keep a Light On ....

As we begin our day-long drive to Big Bay Point Lighthouse B&B (located northwest of Marquette, Michigan, USA), a sliver of the late-rising moon shares the eastern sky with the dawning day.   We merge onto I-75 where the traffic lanes begin to show signs of wintry conditions.  The winter weather has the Mackinac Bridge traffic reducing speed but at least they haven’t closed the bridge and we cross into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  Under good travel conditions, we still have about four more hours of driving.  I hope the weather cooperates and we get to the Lighthouse before dark…