Cook County Minnesota

Grand Marais Municipal Campground

We manage to pick up a three night cancellation at the Grand Marais Municipal Campground for this leg of our trip. We have nothing booked from this point forward, so we’re hoping to be able to nab one of the first come, first served sites and continue our stay here for a few days longer at least.

Walking around camp in the evening we see a camper from our home state and as they’re outside we stop to chat. Just our luck, she’s here for the summer helping out in the office; and gives us the inside scoop for being able to nab one of the sites we want for after our reservation terminates.

We follow her advice and easily secure a site for the rest of the week. In the meantime, we’ve also managed to get a site a little further north, only two miles away from where our scheduled tour departs (more about this in our next post). We just love it when a plan comes together.

Gitchi-Gami State Trail

Today looks to be a beautiful day. We want to be outside and don’t feel like going far, so we decide to hop on the bikes and explore the five mile section of the Gitchi-Gami Trail accessible from the campground. We head south passing over bridges, beside one waterfall, along beautiful wildflower lined paths, through the northern section of Cascades State Park, and finally to Cascade River Wayside Park; which opens up to incredible views of Grand Harbor Bay.

We meet some fellow travelers at the park, so we stay and chat for a while. After wishing safe travels to each other, we head back north and into Grand Marais for a quick look around and a stop at the visitors center for some local info. Then, it’s back to the camper to drop off the bikes and pick up a light jacket.

City of Grand Marais

Once we’ve donned our jackets we set out to walk back into town and explore what we only glimpsed while on the bikes. We walk through the North House Folk School grounds at the end of the campground, around Grand Marais Harbor, past the Historical Society Museum, and out to Artists Point Trailhead between East Bay and Grand Marais Harbor.

As we reach the trailhead we decide to take the southern trail to see the Lighthouse and the campground across the bay. After taking in the view and a few pictures, we then retrace our steps and take the trail north to Artist’s Point. The trail here is harder to find and we end up exploring a little more of the point than originally intended.

After we’ve thoroughly explored the trails on the point we head back into town and up the hill to the Blacksmith Shop and finally the old Norwegian Lutheran Church before heading back to camp to make dinner.

Well we didn’t go far; but it ended up being 12 miles on the bikes, and about 4 miles of walking.

Caribou Falls

Today is supposed to have perfect hiking weather, so we pack a lunch and head out to hike to several waterfalls. We start at the southern most trail for Caribou Falls.

Caribou Falls is located down a gently sloping 1.25 mile trail, next to the Caribou river, through a Wildlife Management Area.

Cross River Falls

Next we stop at Cross River Falls where we walk over the bridge, and down two short trails, until we realize that the only way to get a descent picture of the entire waterfall is to break out the drone. I think the result was worth the effort.

Temperance River State Park

Next we head to Temperance River State Park and the 3 miles of trails to see the Lower Falls, Hidden Falls, Middle Falls, and Upper Falls as well as the 10-15 other drops along the river trail.

This trail keeps providing view after view, so we end up going further than we had planned and now only have time for one more stop before heading back to camp for the night.

Poplar River

Poplar River Falls are tucked away in the Lutsen Resort; which happens to be Minnesota’s oldest Resort established in 1885. According to our information, the falls can be easily accessed via a short loop trail formed by the two bridges across the river connecting the two sections of the resort together. So, we head down the trail only to realize when we get our first view of the river that the bridges have been washed away. So, what was supposed to be an easy loop trail turns into an adventure.

As we’re climbing over the rocks along the riverbank we find old, large, metal machine parts; which we’re assuming must have come from the building. They look like hydro-electric parts; and we find out later that in 1918 a hydro-electric plant was used to introduce power to the resort.

Cascade River State Park

Today we head south to Cascade River State Park and begin our exploration with the Cascade River and Lookout Mountain Loop. This trail begins with several drops along the Cascade River.

We then head through the woods and up to Lookout Mountain; which we were a little disappointed in. It’s probably spectacular in the fall when the leaves are changing color; but for us it was a long way up a steep hill through very overgrown trails to see a treetop canopy. Pretty; but in our opinion, not worth the effort. If the trails had been in better shape, we probably would have had enjoyed it a lot more.

Next we head down the hill through even more overgrown trails until we finally reach the Cascade Falls Loop trail; which provides spectacular views of some incredible waterfalls. The largest being the main draw, with a 30 foot drop.

Afterwards we head into Grand Marais to do a little grocery shopping and have a late lunch. We choose “My Sisters Place” based on recommendations from the locals at the grocery store and it was pretty tasty.

Next stop, the local laundromat; which was very clean, fairly priced, and provided outdoor seating to enjoy the view Lake Superior while you wait.

Sunset

We spend the rest of the day catching up on some chores around camp until we head out for a walk around camp at sunset.

Partridge Falls

Today we head north to visit two of the three most recommended waterfalls in the area. First up is Partridge Falls. This one was recommended by family as well as being on the “Bucket List” map for Grand Portage. It’s not easy to get to because it’s down a single track 4×4 recommended road.

And once we reach the end of the road, we are wading through waste high grass while traversing a very muddy trail. However, it is definitely worth the effort. This 50 foot waterfall is spectacular.

We make our way back to the main road and head south to Judge C.R. Magney State Park and the trail to the Devil’s Kettle. After a quick picnic lunch we head out on the trail; which very quickly takes us to a bridge over the Brule River with small falls and a really nice view downriver.

Upper Falls

After crossing the bridge the upward trajectory begins. It’s a gentle slope until we reach a set of stairs saying it’s 192 steps down and back up to see the falls. Well this explains were most of the 600ft elevation change in a mile comes from. Down we go!

Devil’s Kettle

Once we’ve completed the steps we head further up the trail to see the main attraction and the trail’s namesake… Devil’s Kettle. The right side of the falls drops about 50 feet in to the Brule River; but the left side of the falls drops into a hole that seems to go nowhere. Over the years many people have dropped things in there only to never see them again. Scientists are still conducting experiments to find out where this water goes; which is what makes these falls interesting as well as spectacular.

Susie Islands Overlook

It’s a new day and on our way to Grand Portage State Park to see the last of the most recommended waterfalls in the area we stop at the Susie Islands Overlook; which provides a panorama view of Wauswaugoning Bay.

From Hat Point (right) to Pigeon Point (left) and the Susie Islands beyond this spot also provides information boards about the area, how it came to be, as well as giving a history of the people who settled this area.

Grand Portage State Park

Next we continue our journey to Grand Portage State Park. Which is so close to the boarder, if you miss your turn into the park, you’ll accidentally end up in Canada.

Pigeon River

After going through the small visitor’s center we head out to the Upper Falls trail and get a good view of the Pigeon River; which is the dividing line between the United States and Canada. So yes, we’re looking at Canada in the picture below.

High Falls Trail

Next we head further up the trail and out to the river to see if we can get a view of the falls from the bottom.

We’re not able to catch a view of the falls from here; but the views up and down the river gorge as well as literally being a stone’s throw from Canada is fun.

Pigeon River High Falls

As we rejoin the main trail and continue walking, the sound of the falls begins to get louder and we know we’re getting close. The trail suddenly turns and becomes a boardwalk out to an observation deck where we get our first view of the tallest waterfall in Minnesota with its 120 foot drop. We have to admit, it’s a pretty dramatic boarder divider.

Up next… Grand Portage National Monument and Isle Royale National Park.