TEMPERANCE RIVER / FALLS

Just about a mile and a quarter up the road is Temperance River.  An easy walk on the Gitchi-Gama State Trail which happens to be just across the road from the Campground.

Of course first we pass the Cross River Falls.  The Cross River borders the north side of the campground.

We take the trail up from the lake alongside the river.

The mouth of the river by Lake Superior

 Father Baragas Cross - his canoe was swept in the mouth of the river during a severe storm on Lake Superior.  He erected a wooden cross in thanks for the providential saving of his life. It was later replaced with this stone one. 

This is the view of the river passing under the highway and the view you get from the 3 river front cabins.

This is the view from the highway - it was running pretty strong due the noreaster that blew through

The Gitchi-Gama State Trail when completed will run 88 miles parallel to the Lakeshore for bicycles, hikers, joggers and in-line skaters.  29.5 miles have been completed, one being the 3 mile stretch from Schroeder to Tofte

We run into a Pileated Woodpecker along the way

 We reach the bridge over the river.  This is the view upstream

 and the downstream view

Let's follow the upstream trail Mom

 We're even treated to a rainbow

 

Now its a big babbling brook

Eventually the trail turns into a pine and birch forest

 

We turn around and head back and continue on downstream.  A view back to the bridge

 You can see how the force of the river is carving through the stone.   As rocks are being washed down the river they are swirled around in a circular motion and are like drills creating potholes.

This rock ledge we are standing on is a dried up ancient waterfall which spanned 300 feet

This is the plunge pool from the ancient waterfall

 You have to cross the highway to get to the very bottom of the falls

 A nice boardwalk

 Uh Oh, a stair master off to the left

 The boardwalk leads to the mouth of the river where it enters Lake Superior.  

I hear in the summer people jump off the rocks and let the river carry them out to the Lake.  It would have to be a really hot day for me.

 I find the classic stair master route back up to the highway