Photos and Story Copyright Jeffrey Foltice
Above from left- Sable Falls, Chapel Falls, Agate Falls and Munising Falls
The waterfalls of Northern Michigan stir feelings of power, renewal, wonder, tranquility and beauty as they rush forward in their never-ending journey that is part of nature’s wonder. There are many to be seen in my home state, although driving to some near the Michigan, Wisconsin border from where I live in Southwest Michigan would be the equivalent of driving past Pittsburgh, Pa. That’s about nine hours of nonstop driving over a distance of about 500 miles. However, if you take a shortcut via Muskegon’s Lake Express Car Ferry, the drive from Milwaukee is about 300 miles or 5 1⁄2 hours of driving.
Bond Falls
Two of the falls to visit in the far western Upper Peninsula are Agate Falls and Bond Falls. The pair are great to see in autumn with the colored trees accenting the beauty of whitewater spilling over dark rock formations.
Upstream from Bond Falls is an amazing palette of colors reflecting in the water before it travels further downstream where the water is less tranquil.
The falls themselves can be viewed from the sides or straight on with any angle being an impressive sight.
Bond Falls
And Agate Falls is no less striking with its dark slate rocks over which a constant tumult of water cascades.
Agate Falls
For those who enjoy a nice hike, Chapel Falls near Munising might be a great place to visit. Close to the end of a hike of 1 1⁄2 miles and through a forested trail, a distinct rumble eventually turns into a roar as the forest opens into a clearing. There the 60-foot tall waterfall presents itself surrounded by trees, which are beautifully colored in the fall.
Chapel Falls
For more easy access there are other choices in Michigan including the more modest but still beautiful Scott Falls near Au Train and Haven Falls near Lac la Belle. Both are located just off the road. Each of the falls has its own unique character.
Scott Falls
Haven Falls
Sable Falls near Grand Marais has a much different look than the others. With a more gentle slope over a longer area, water cascades 75 feet down several cliffs until it reaches Lake Superior.
Sable Falls
Perhaps the most well known waterfall in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the renowned Tahquamenon Falls. Aside from the world famous Niagara Falls, Tahquamenon is the largest waterfall east of the Mississippi River at about 200 feet wide with a 50 foot drop. Its water has a distinct brown color. About a 1 1⁄2 hour drive north of the Mackinac Bridge, Tahquamenon Falls, appropriately is located in Paradise.
Tahquamenon Falls in Winter
For those who would brave the cold and snow of winter in the Upper Peninsula, Tahquamenon along with its sister waterfalls are marvelous to see in their frozen state as well. Any season is a great time to see these wonders of nature in Michigan.
Reblogged this on Deacon Chuck Thompson and commented:
Lovely!
Always great photography and inspiring to me to continue to improve my own.
Keep shooting! I enjoy your blog!
Your photos are always such a visual treat. I have a soft spot for waterfalls, so I especially enjoyed your post today. These falls are spectacular.
Thank you Eliza! I loved every minute of seeing them and I’m happy you could enjoy them too 🙂
That lake is like a little ocean! Huge!
Thanks Anneli 🙂 I’m always happy to see you visit here 🙂
Beautiful, stunning, amazing… 🙂
Thanks so much!
That one looks like an oil painting, unreal! This is one of my favorite posts from you so far, thank you for sharing.
Thank you Susan! I hope you’ll come back to see more 🙂
I’ll be back for sure!
Absolutely beautiful photos!
Wow! So beautiful. We don’t have that many waterfalls where I live. The amazing colour palette of reflections in the water at Bond Falls is mesmerising.
Thank you Jane! We have similar tastes, that’s one of my favorite photos. I’m always looking for variations on that theme, but everything came together the day I took that shot. I like the abstract feel and of course the vivid colors 🙂
Gorgeous!
Thank you! 🙂
look so nice :X
Fantastic photographs. Chapel Falls is very like the Falls of the Clyde in new Lanark (Scotland). The English poet William Wordsworth called it the Clyde’s “most majestic daughter”. This description could be given to the Chapel Falls as well – it is majestic.
Wow, thanks Jane. I’d love to see that someday. I’ve heard Scotland is so beautiful. I didn’t picture waterfalls there, so that would be an added bonus to a visit 🙂
Scotland is very nice. The west coast has many islands which are fantastic to visit and the east coast has some beautiful scenery.
Gorgeous photos…beautiful falls!! And very interesting to read about the falls…
Thank you so much! I’d love to write more, but its difficult to find the time. I’m happy when I can squeeze in a few photos, but I don’t normally have the opportunity to write as much as I’d like to 🙂
They’re amazing!
Jeffery: Visually impressive – great composition.
It makes you want to visit Michigan….but I think I’ll wait til it gets a little warmer. Beautiful.
Stunning photos of the falls. I especially love the Bond Falls photo – the long exposure makes it so interesting.
Simply stunning! I especially love the photo of the top of the falls with that glorious autumn colour reflection 🙂 Nice to see the change of seasons too!
Thank you Sarah! That’s one of my all time favorite photos. I’m always looking for a shot like that every Autumn, but so far this one is the best I’ve found 🙂
Be proud of it! I certainly would 🙂
So many beautiful shots! These waterfalls are glorious!
Thank you Clare! I’m happy you enjoyed them 🙂
Breathtaking photography of nature’s wonders. Thank you so much for sharing these amazing views!
What glorious waterfalls ! Lucky you to be able to find these.
Thank you very much Bella! I did quite a bit of research to find some of them and plan the trips. Most were quite a long way from where I live 🙂
beautiful photos – They make me want to visit there. I had no idea that Michigan had such beatuiful spots. Thanks for posting
Wow that is truly beautiful!
Awesome clicks…
Thanks! 🙂
All are stunning, but I’m particularly fond of “Bond Falls” – very nice, Jeff.
Thank you Laurie, it was one of my favorite places too 🙂
This is such a magnificent and comprehensive post. Thank you indeed.
Thanks so much Kenneth, I’m happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Reblogged this on Life after work and commented:
Have you ever seen more magnificent scenic photography?
Thank you! 🙂
Beautiful pictures, I especially love the third one, looks like a painting!