Also known as Cliff Falls, this drop is a long, gentle cascade down a well-worn slab of granite nestled between huge cedars. The river breaks out in white foam on a few of the steeper pitches, but most of Forty-Foot Falls is more of a gentle slide than steep waterfall. There is a camping site right above the falls with a handy cedar bridge for crossing the deep, clear waters.
Directions
From Big Erick's Bridge head east down Erick's Road for 4 miles, turning left onto the Northwestern Road. Take this for 2.2 miles to a small, sandy area with relatively young pines stretching away to the right. Turn left here, driving past the Cliff Falls Hunting Club. After 1.5 miles bear right, staying with the river, and then park after an additional 1 mile. Park near the camping site and head downhill to the waterall.
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Jacob Emerick
Mar 2, '16
It's great to hear from you, Gary! I've always wondered who owned that land. Are you also part of the hunting club on that road too?Thanks for reaching out, and much more importantly, thanks for keeping this land open for us all to enjoy! It is a very scenic area (and hopefully future visitors will respect that).
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Gary Darling
Sep 24, '16
The log foot bridge has been gone for a few years now. I plan to put in a new one, but I'm not sure when. Longyear just put a temporary bridge in near the north line of section 10 for access to harvest in section 3. It will be there for maybe 2 years. I will be improving the road into the falls this October (2016) from the Big Bay road down past the Cliff Falls Club camp and into the 40 Foot Falls. I will also be doing road work on the land east of the river in section 10. I will be marking the timber for a selective thinning and plan to harvest in 2017 or 2018. I am friends with the other land owners near the falls, but I am not any type of "club member". I'm more of a "loner"!
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Jacob P Emerick
Oct 3, '16
Oh, the foot bridge is gone? Must have been a strong melt to push it down (or maybe someone took it out on purpose. Is the old camp still set up? I wondered if people would continue to respect/use it appropriately.Road work, eh? That's awesome! So many of these little side roads get so damaged once the logging companies are done. It was shocking to see how well some of the roads between Ives and Mountain were maintained, but I suppose that the HMC might be paying someone to upkeep those. Happy to hear what you're up to :)
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Chuck Peruchini
Nov 30, '16
Gentlemen: Just a quick comment. First, Jacob, I absolutely enjoy this website and your blog sharing your hiking adventures in the UP. I purchased my camp in the Huron Mountains in 2012, and I have been busy since then exploring this vast and special area.Second, I believe I met Gary in October, while he was transporting equipment to conduct the road improvement he describes in his note above. We met on a remote part of the Triple A (he said he had come up the Peshekee). We spoke for a few moments, and he couldn't have been more gracious and helpful. I echo your expressions of thanks to Gary for his placing the 40 Foot Falls in CFR. You each are class acts. I hope I bump into you on one of my future visits to the Huron Mountains. Sure wish I could be up there now!!
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Jacob Emerick
Dec 2, '16
Great to hear from you, Chuck! That's so neat that you bumped into Gary up there. Hope you get up there to kick back at the camp soon.
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Mark Tembreull
Dec 9, '16
Jacob, I just wanted to let you know how great I think this website is, along with your hiking blog. I was born and raised in L'Anse and I find the quality and extent of what you've documented to be both fascinating and unparalleled. I'll definitely be using these as a reference for future adventures. Well done and thank you.
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Jacob P Emerick
Dec 14, '16
Thanks Mark, glad to hear from you! Definitely appreciate the kind words. Hope you have some great adventures in the near future.
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Greg Ledbetter
Sep 16, '21
Four of us just got back from Big Bay..it was a challenge finding 40' Falls but worth it..thanks to Gary for keeping it open to public. We came up here from Morton Illinois and was a very nice long weekend.
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